Billie Eilish, Leon Bridges and more: August’s best album reviews
Discover all our four- and five-star album reviews from the last month, from pop to folk, classical and more
July 2021
Leon Bridges: Gold-Diggers Sound review – unashamedly grown-up songs for the soul
The soul singer breaks out of his comfort zone with a sparkling collection that evades easy answers
Leon Bridges: ‘My transition was dishwasher one day, star the next’
The speed of the soul singer’s stardom left him reeling. As he releases his best album yet, he explains how he shook off his insecurities – and confronted love, loss and a racist US
Song of the summer 2021: our writers pick their favourite tracks
From Olivia Rodrigo to Leon Bridges to Bo Burnham, Guardian critics recommend their most played songs of the season
June 2018
'They put us in a little box': how racial tensions shape modern soul music
While white Americana singers have infused more soul into their sound, black artists, such as Leon Bridges, still feel restricted by limited expectations
May 2018
Leon Bridges: Good Thing review – R&B sensation eases his way out of the 60s
Leon Bridges: Good Thing review – polished soul voice makes pop his own
July 2015
Leon Bridges review – a soul man who looks as sharp as he sounds
The charming Texan replicates the seductive retro crackle of his debut album, but an intriguing encore suggests he has more to offer than mere nostalgia
June 2015
Coming Home by Leon Bridges review – unabashed old-school soul
Leon Bridges: Coming Home review – new soul talent in search of direction
Leon Bridges and Curtis Harding: the new stars of classic soul
Album streams
Leon Bridges – Coming Home: Exclusive album stream
February 2015
One to watch
One to watch: Leon Bridges
The vintage soul singer credits Sam Cooke with helping him find his voice – ‘the simplicity just sounded so good’
