has rarely stood still. From the vintage-soul glow of to the country-tinged ‘Leon’, the Fort Worth singer has always followed his instincts, and on fifth album ‘Happiness Anytime’ they’ve led him straight to the dancefloor. Even better, he’s brought company: two thirds of .
Much like the brilliant pair of ‘Texas’ EPs he made with , Bridges has found another great collaborator in Jungle’s Josh Lloyd-Watson and Lydia Kitto. Their airy soul and disco-tinged electronica is grounded by Bridges’ impactful vocals, and the result is a marriage made in heaven.
Opener ‘Light The Way’ is simply sublime, an Afrobeat-flavoured soul number that’s smooth as silk and as funky as you like. Blasts of horns and lightfooted drumming get your hips moving whether you’ve agreed to it or not, and it sets the tone perfectly for what follows.
‘Tears of Joy’ follows with a distinct whiff of Paul Simon’s ‘Graceland’, complete with the classic wonky noises Jungle are known for splashing into their productions. It’s a delightful curveball that shows how comfortably the pair can bend Bridges’ voice around a fresh set of shapes.
Then comes the lothario moment. ‘Your Love Is Electric’ is faintly melancholic, sexy as can be and pure honey for the ear, the sort of slow-burning smoulder that makes you want to loosen your collar and dim the lights.
What impresses most is the restraint. Jungle have always had a knack for making funk feel weightless, and here they resist the urge to crowd the mix, leaving space for Bridges to do what he does best. That voice, honeyed and unhurried, glides over the top of every arrangement like it’s got all the time in the world, never straining for effect.
There’s more going on beneath the sunshine than first meets the ear. Bridges has always worn his soul heritage proudly, but here that retro sound picks up new stowaways, from Afrobeat percussion to shimmering disco flourishes, all folded in so gently you’ll barely notice the passport stamps.
It also feels like a homecoming of sorts. The warmth that made ‘Coming Home’ such a balm returns here, only now it comes with a looser hip and a wider record collection, the sound of an artist at ease and enjoying himself.
My one big regret? This album should have landed in late May to soundtrack the endless summer (read: terrifying ). It’s a record built for barbecues, rum in hand, dancing with your amore. Another winner from one of the leading voices of the soul revival.
It’s one of those albums that simply lifts your mood. Twelve tracks zoom by and never outstay their welcome, each one a tiny burst of joy. Go on, add a little splash of colour to your day.
If there’s a quibble, it’s a question of peaks rather than consistency. Every song here is a winner, but the album lacks a few more total bangers to nudge it into utter greatness. It’s a minor grumble, mind, because as it stands ‘Happiness Anytime’ is a wonderfully warm and fun record, like unleashing a hazy rainbow from your speaker.
Best of all, the pairing feels like it’s only just getting started. Bridges, Lloyd-Watson and Kitto have made something joyous, generous and impeccably played, and it would be a crime if this turned out to be a one-off. This is the sound of three people enjoying each other’s company, and it’s utterly infectious. I’d love to see this lot get back in the studio and make another. Until then, ‘Happiness Anytime’ will do very nicely, thanks: press play, open a window, pour something cold, and let the good times roll.
8/10
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