Leon Bridges’s latest single ‘Inside Friend’ featuring John Mayer is a match made in soul heaven.

Bridges and Mayer have both spent their illustrious, beloved careers exploring their own musical genres — soul and pop respectively, but somehow their vocal stylings mesh perfectly in this feature. It helps that both of them have gotten used to refining a smooth, subdued sound over the years. John Mayer’s soft, feathery-light voice has made for some incredibly soothing and reflective tracks over the years, the ones that are imbued with foggy lighting and muffled sensations. Whereas Bridges’ discography has seen an eclectic array of tunes, ranging from high-voltage gospel hurrays to sober lover songs. However, this is one such tune that’s wholly dependent on a particular moody atmosphere facilitated by the instrumentation.

The aspects of soul and R&B come through in a restrained manner, letting the listener take their time. Before you know it, you’re fully immersed in the composition and Leon Bridges’ melodies start striking the notes ever-so passionately.  A note must be made about the phenomenal but thoughtful medley of soul instruments that punctuate the song in such a luscious manner. From the occasional note on the bass guitar to the heavenly clicks to the jangle of the elaborate percussive arrangement, Bridges once again exemplifies what it’s like to establish an atmosphere. Similarly, John Mayer’s voice is the perfect supplementary addition; at first, he chimes in with the backing vocals before venturing into his own verse. 

For those who’re a bit curious about the context of the track, it’s no coincidence that it’s titled ‘Inside Friend’ — it encapsulates a collective experience that a vast majority of us are going through at this point in time. With lyrics like ‘it’s evil out there’ and ‘your week been crazy’, there is no denying that Bridges has called upon the expression of love to overcome something so horrid and terrifying. Even if the world comes crashing down, Leon wants you to know that it can all be tolerable if you’ve got a special ‘inside friend’ with you. And as far as we’re concerned, Leon Bridges has found a wonderful, ‘inside’ friendship with John Mayer.

 Soul      R&B 

Author: Shaoni Das

Shaoni Das is a writer/editor currently based in Edmonton, Canada. She remains eager to inspect how the changing culture of music impacts upon the greater world.