LEON BRIDGES ANNOUNCES HAPPINESS ANYTIME
NEW ALBUM PRODUCED BY J LLOYD & LYDIA KITTO OF JUNGLE OUT SEPTEMBER 25 ON COLUMBIA RECORDS
On September 25th, Leon Bridges will release his new album, Happiness Anytime, produced by J Lloyd-Watson and Lydia Kitto of British trio Jungle and out via Columbia Records. Over the course of the last month he has been rolling the album out with pop up performances in Paris, Cannes, Los Angeles, Montreux Jazz Festival and last night in London at The Jazz Cafe. Happiness Anytime finds Bridges returning to the warmth of Coming Home while embracing the groove and adventurous spirit of his celebrated collaborations with Khruangbin. On Happiness Anytime, Bridges and Jungle’s signature sensibilities intertwine to create something entirely new—an expansive, borderless sound that pushes Bridges into thrilling new territory. There are echoes of Fela Kuti, the wanderlust of Paul Simon’s The Rhythm of the Saints, and the warmth of Jorge Ben, but the album never feels referential. Above all, it is unmistakably Leon Bridges: his singular voice, effortless charisma, and melodic instincts transforming those influences into something wholly his own. It’s an album built for long days and warm nights and will undoubtedly become the unofficial soundtrack of this summer.
“For me, happiness is not a feeling that you chase,” Bridges says, “I want this album to be something that lingers with people and lingers in people’s bones. There’s this feeling that we have to fix the problems of the world; you feel inadequate or it can be debilitating. My role is to be light. I hope that comes across with this album.” With Happiness Anytime, Bridges set out with a desire not only to find joy but to find movement again. Early in his career he was out in front dancing, something that had waned in his recent career. He wanted to get back to making music to dance to, music to excise the stresses of modern life and to feel grounded in the rhythms of the present.
As Bridges has begun introducing the new music live, he has also unveiled ‘Leon Bridges Presents Happiness Anytime’—a reimagined stage production featuring a vinyl DJ, horn section, three backing vocalists and Bridges himself back out front dancing once again. Inspired in part by the communal spirit of classic Jamaican dance hall culture, the performances mirror the album’s emphasis on movement.
Happiness Anytime was created across three fast and furious sessions with Lloyd-Watson and Kitto. After crossing paths at various festivals around the world, the group decided to attempt a low-pressure writing session. Four days later, they emerged with 6 songs – half of the completed album. In addition to the three of them, they were joined by bassist Pino Palladino (D’Angelo, Adele, John Mayer) in the studio (Chaplin Recording Studios in Los Angeles) to complete the record. The result is a timeless, effortless body of work- nothing fussy or over-intellectualized but rather an album so pure it feels as though it’s always existed. Something that will surely make the listener feel happiness, anytime they play it.
Leon Bridges has become one of the defining voices in modern American soul and R&B. Born in Atlanta and raised in Fort Worth, Texas, he emerged with his platinum-certified, GRAMMY-nominated debut album Coming Home, whose vintage soul sound and breakout singles “Coming Home” and “River” immediately established him as one of music’s most exciting new artists. He followed with the critically acclaimed Good Thing, expanding his sonic palette while earning another GRAMMY nomination for Best R&B Album and winning his first GRAMMY for Best Traditional R&B Performance for “Bet Ain’t Worth the Hand.” His third album, Gold-Diggers Sound, marked his most adventurous work to date, receiving widespread critical acclaim and another GRAMMY nomination for Best R&B Album. In 2024, Bridges released his deeply personal fourth studio album, Leon, a reflective collection inspired by his Texas roots and artistic evolution. In addition to his solo albums, he’s released two collaborative albums with Khruangbin – Texas Sun (2020) and Texas Moon (2022).
Across his career, Bridges has earned six GRAMMY nominations and one GRAMMY Award. This includes three R&B album nominations. He has collaborated with artists including Khruangbin, John Mayer, Kacey Musgraves, Robert Glasper, Terrace Martin, Gunna, The Avalanches, Gary Clark Jr., and Shaboozey, showcasing the remarkable versatility of his artistry.
A captivating live performer, Bridges has graced many of the world’s most prestigious stages. He made his Saturday Night Live debut as musical guest, performing “Smooth Sailin'” and “River,” and has delivered beloved performances for NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert, Austin City Limits, and countless major festivals around the globe. Leon continues to bridge the past and present, honoring the rich traditions of soul, R&B, gospel, and folk while forging a singular voice that has made him one of the most respected and influential artists of his generation.
Leon Bridges
Happiness Anytime
(Columbia Records)
Release Date: September 25, 2026
Artist Links
Background Photo Credit: Joshua Kissi
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