MC's Music Lounge: Leon Bridges spreads joy with his new album, Happiness Anytime

Leon Bridges is taking risks with his new album Happiness Anytime, a sharp departure from the country/folk sound of his previous album. His transition into a more country blues direction on the previous project was effortless, but I am happy to hear a groovier effort from him this time around as he’s reverting back to the R&B sounds that he first played with in his debut Coming Home, but with a twist. He collaborated with British modern soul band Jungle – and together, a brighter and happier Leon has emerged.

There are so many layers to a song that can attract you as a listener, whether it’s the lyrics, melody, bass line, instrumental – or maybe you are just trying to catch a vibe. Happiness Anytime is a heavily vibes-driven effort. It gives the feeling that listening to a Big Mountain record in 1993 would give. Turn the pot of coffee on, open the blinds and let the world be your guide-type feeling. This is the first Leon Bridges album that has ever made me want to get up and dance. I mean, how could your music not give that feeling when you have Jungle with you in the booth. Jungle just released their new album Sunshine and are currently on a North American arena tour in support of the project. They were busy in the studio making both albums at once and it shows because Happiness Anytime and Sunshine act like sister albums. The band even makes an uncredited appearance on the song “Talk It Over” where they and Leon go back and forth for one of the more emotional lyrics on the album. The journey to happiness has its bumps but learning to find joy even in those moments of darkness are necessary to survive this thing called life. It’s your usual coffee house subject matter, just with a more groovy execution. It’s also just so refreshing to hear an upbeat pop song that is appropriate for all ages while still being of the highest quality. At this point, I feel like Jungle needs to create their own subgenre of Pop/Soul. Maybe Leon Bridges is the result of that subgenre.

Next week, new music from Noah Kahan from the upcoming Hunger Games soundtrack hits the airwaves. Plus, new albums from Miranda Lambert and Victoria Monet. This week is yet another excuse to dance. Leon Bridges has a new album, and new music from Madonna with Charli xcx, Tinashe, Nessa Barrett and French Montana & Max B. Plus, a mid-2010s R&B deep cut has found a new audience on TikTok.

Listen on…

MC’s PICKS OF THE WEEK

“Watch You Dance” by Leon Bridges

Leon has proven time and time again that he’s got vocals for days, but in this track he lets the music do most of the talking. The beat sets the scene for the vibe that’s about to be caught – a ray of light. The drums that hover over the background pull you in. There’s a yacht rock flair that the song gives off, and his smooth vocals paired with the dreamy backgrounds in the verses (especially the second verse) make this the perfect morning alarm track. I can confirm this to be true, I tested it this morning and it felt like waking up inside a flower. Leon has a way of making even the most simple note sound so smooth and crisp. Plus, the production from Jungle is top notch. I really can’t get enough of them. Music is my primary source of dopamine and it’s genres like this that are at the forefront. It sounds expensive and relaxed all at once. It’s the type of music that both your parents and your younger cousins can enjoy. The lyric video features Leon in a bright orange tank and stylish fedora – all very 60s. He’s twirling in circles across the halls of a bright yellow motel. He’s having fun – remember that feeling? I’ll support anything that encourages that feeling.

“Danceteria Afterhours” by Madonna, Charli xcx

It’s been a busy weekend for M and C, launching their newest track, which is a remix of Madonna’s “Danceteria”. This is following the lead of her “Love Sensation” remix with Kylie Minogue. Both of which are dubbed the “Afterhours” version of the songs. One can only hope that a full “Afterhours” remix album of Confessions II is in our future, plus there’s a Troye Sivan remix that still needs to be recorded. Charli joined Madonna on stage at the VMAs over the weekend to perform the song for the first time. All this while she’s in the midst of her tour for Music, Fashion, Film – but when Madonna calls, you make it work. Similar to the original version of the song, Charli’s new verse sees her reflecting on her journey in the music industry and the various characters that have come in and out of her life. References to her 2007 Myspace days, to her time with the late SOPHIE in 2015 and onward. Charli is the 2010’s party girl to Madonna’s 80s club days. “Danceteria” was already one of my favourite songs released this year, and add in the fact that me and Charli have been vibing this summer (I just saw her show last week), this gay boy is very happy.

“Nobody Wanna Dance Anymore” by Tinashe

I’m sensing a pattern when it comes to the subject matter of many pop songs this year. The idea that nobody wants to dance and the need to revive the dance floor. Madonna said it, Miley said it, and now Tinashe has her own take on the matter. “Nobody Wanna Dance Anymore” is pretty self-explanatory – except Tinashe’s sound is trippy. It samples “Chillin” by Wale and Lady Gaga, “lookin’ at lookin’ at lookin’ at me” – I find myself singing it randomly in my head to this day. It’s an obvious future single choice and has summer smash written all over it. I’m predicting a summer 2027 remix of this track for sure. Not that it even needs it, because on its own, “Nobody” is fresh and instantly danceable. Tinashe’s new album, Popstar, just dropped and if you’ve been following the more recent columns you know that this is an album I’ve been excited for, and it did not disappoint in the slightest. She’s embraced the flair and weirdness that her underground music had back in the day, but with a more polished energy. Tinashe has long fought with naysayers in the industry who have tried to pigeonhole her into one genre of music but she has never strayed from her artistic path in the face of the industry pushback. This album has every genre you can think of from hip-hop, dance, R&B, pop, jazz, country – you name it. It’s doing well on the charts too. Just yesterday, the album passed Taylor Swift’s deluxe album for the #1 spot on iTunes. It’s also expected to sell more than 20,000 units in its first week, a career best for her.

“Don in my city pt. 2” by French Montana, Max B, Jayy V Vondon

This is that classic Bronx hip-hop that took over the 90s. Max B does the thing throughout the track and really gives new meaning to the sound of New York. This version of “Don in my city” is a remix of the original that was released a few weeks back, and of course there’s the instantly recognizable sample of 1997’s “Déjà Vu (Uptown Baby)” by Lord Tariq and Peter Gunz right off the top. The song was also heavily sampled in Shakira and Wyclef Jean’s “Hips Don’t Lie” but the original at its core is a New York hip-hop staple. Of course there are more samples in that Lord Tariq track – but the sounds you hear in both “Don in my city” and “Hips Don’t Lie” are from that 1997 song. This song is going to go hard in the clubs this fall, and adds more to the crazy run French and Max B have been on all year. In a time where hip-hop is falling short on the charts, they have sustained a quality that is unmatched from their peers.

“Tough Love” by Nessa Barrett

“Tough Love” is the first time I’m hearing a Nessa Barrett track and I have to say that I’m impressed. The pulsating drums, the haunting vocals and the captivating visuals, dark lipstick and all – I’m hooked. You can feel every emotion that she had when was recording the song, it seeps into your bones. She’s on her third album now so she’s gotten the groove of things, I honestly can’t believe it has taken me this long to really give her a listen but the important thing is I’m here now. It is the season of the witch after all, who doesn’t love a brunette bombshell. Nessa sings about loving someone who’s hard to love. Classic pop girl subject, but it’s a little darker than what we’re hearing on the radio today. Nessa already has a devoted following that has been with her for two album cycles, and this new project is her chance to expand that following to an even broader audience. I am now tuned in.

MC’s VIRAL PICK

“damned” by Miguel

Miguel’s career trajectory has been an interesting one. He gained attention in the early 2010s, fell off a little for the later part of the decade and now in recent years has continuously earned sleeper hits due to streaming. It happened with “Sure Thing” a few years ago and now, it’s a deep cut from his 2015 album Wildheart that’s getting attention. “damned” is a romantic slow jam about being chained to your feeling for your significant other. The song has become so popular with Gen Z that it is currently in the Top 10 on TikTok’s viral songs chart and has become Miguel’s most streamed song on the dailies. What started out as a dance trend early in the summer has resulted in many people discovering the song for the first time. The song has grown so much over the last few months that even older clips from Miguel’s performances have started to earn thousands of likes.

@lady.j1121 #fyp #damedmiguel #theaterkidsbelike ♬ damned (when the gavel hit the stand, I'm damned to loving you) - Miguel

@jayden.m.smitherman I fw this song #damned #fyp #dance #xyzbca #miguel ♬ original sound - rodwavehairline

The song has also become a popular sound on the app to use for movie/tv edits and celebrity fan cams. Basically anytime they want to show lust or affection. It is a sexy song, this entire album of Miguel’s is him in his most sensual. Cuffing season is around the corner so I don’t see the traction slowing down any time soon.

The 2026 “MC’s MUSIC LOUNGE” Spotify playlist is live. You can add it here to keep up to date with my weekly picks throughout the year.