Credit: Leon Bridges

Leon Bridges shares ‘Peaceful Place’ and announces new album ‘Leon’

Thu 8 August 2024 17:05, UK

Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Leon Bridges has officially announced his new album, Leon, and shared the joyous lead single, ‘Peaceful Place’.

While it’s been three years since Bridges last shared a full-length studio album, Leon is an album that Bridges states has been in development for his entire life, albeit largely unconsciously. The personal collection of tracks is set for release on October 4th through Columbia Records.

‘Peaceful Place’ arrives alongside a video that was filmed in the outskirts of Mexico City, where Leon came to life. The upcoming album was recorded at El Desierto studios with the assistance of producers Ian Fitchuk and Daniel Tashian, who have both previously worked with Kacey Musgraves.

The sun-soaked track immediately transports the listener to the beach with a mojito grasped in their right hand with no worries in the world, and for four minutes, nothing else matters in the world as they allow Bridges’ rich vocals to wash over them.

In a statement to coincide with the album announcement, Bridges explained how the idea for the record has been floating around before 2021’s Gold-Diggers Sound, but it has taken until now for the project to finally be realised, noting, “Leon has been a long-time coming. I started writing pieces of it as far back as Gold-Diggers Sound. They didn’t fit what I was trying to do with that album and I tried moving on. But I couldn’t shake them because they’re part of me. And, if I’m honest, also because I think this is some of my most excellent work yet.”

Emphasising the personal aspect of the record, Bridges continued, “In many ways, Leon has been in the works since my childhood. This record is about simpler days. It’s about time spent in my beloved Fort Worth and the experiences that made me the man I am today. It’s soulful music in the truest sense – it’s imbued with my soul.”

The Texas native concluded: “I’m excited to share these stories about my home, about nostalgia, about my upbringing, about where I’m from, with all of you. I hope this music brings you back to your roots and your journey.”

At this stage, Bridges is yet to announce a headline tour to coincide with the release of Leon. However, he will be performing at Austin City Limits in Texas on the day that the album arrives into the world, and is also scheduled to appear at Corona Capital in Mexico City on November 17th.