Review: Leon Bridges, The Warning, David Gilmour, and Pirate Queen
Picture by Tomasz Gawlowski via Unsplash.com
Leon Bridges - Happiness Anytime
At the end of the summer of 2026, Leon Bridges is coming with an album to dance for. Produced by two members of Jungle, this album has light sound by design. The collaboration originated from meetings at festivals and the like, after which they decided to work together. The first session in LA, 4 days long, had 6 tracks as a result, half of the album. This method of creating had a specific purpose: building a loose and swinging sound. I can’t deny that they were very successful. The first song really sets the mood, especially with the brass section, and an extremely good drum. A snappy snare, light hi-hat and cymbals, creating a ambience, and a basskick that I hear mostly on old soul albums from the ‘60s and ‘70s. Speaking of that period, this album perfectly captures that vibe of Motown records in that time period. As if you’re there in the studio, with simple arrangements and the typical harmonies that the genre is known for. I haven’t talked about Leon himself. He has, of course, a beautiful and soulful voice with a slight raw edge. He is more laid-back on this album, lets the music speak for itself. He makes room for the music to breathe, just like D’Angelo did, although Leon doesn’t do as many adlibs as D’Angelo. Overall, there are no fillers; it’s just good vibes all the way.
Artist: Leon Bridges
Album: Happiness Anytime
Release date: 25 September 2026
Label: Columbia
Related artists: The Teskey Brothers, Krhuangbin, Curtis Harding
The Warning - Everything’s Falling
The Mexican hard rock band The Warning comes with an answer to the successful previous album Keep Me Fed. This time, they take a bit more of an accessible route, which they succeed tremendously in. They truly have a heavy sound, heavier than on Keep Me Fed, but they also keep the emotional layers in there. The lyrics are mostly about getting back on your feet after a struggle with life, and they know how to bridge the emotional and just rocking out. By the way, they always write a song in Spanish, and this time, Paulina sings it. This way, they get to bring their culture into their music. Everything’s Falling is an album that makes sense following Keep Me Fed, in terms of maturing their sound and musicianship.
Band: The Warning
Album: Everything’s Falling
Release date: 28 August 2026
Label: Lava and Republic Records
Related bands: Halestorm, The Pretty Reckless, Dorothy
David Gilmour and Polly Samson - Luck and Strange Concerts Studio/Live
This book is a beautiful report of the studio sessions, the rehearsals and the live performances of Luck and Strange, the latest studio album by David Gilmour. Polly Samson is a talented author and photographer who has worked with David since the Division Bell, released in 1994. Also, this is not the first time she has recorded his live performances with photography. It is, however, the first time she has released it in a book. It is a magical journey through David’s process of making and performing this album. Throughout the book, you'll be transported to the studio and the stage - even more with the live album on in the background. I could just feel the energy on stage and between the band members. It is also lovely to see the involvement of the family in the making of Luck and Strange.
Artist: David Gilmour and Polly Samson
Book title: Luck and Strange Concerts Studio/Live
Release date: 23 October 2025
Related bands: Pink Floyd
Pirate Queen - Travelling Around the World
The second album by the power metal band Pirate Queen is similar in sound to their first album, but it features a different singer. The themes and the music are just fun all the way. Yes, it is kind of cliché, but that is what makes this album so fun, because it is what I expect from this concept. The songwriting is strong, and the music flows quite smoothly, which makes it very listenable throughout the album. It begins with a narrator who announces the “Arrival Of The Queen,” after which the album really begins. The melodies are great to sing along with, and I would expect them to work well live. The previous singer, Her Majesty Maria Aurea, had a more operatic sound, and the previous album was a bit more symphonic. On this album, it’s certainly more power metal, and Her Majesty Elizabeth Noir Nuit has a more belting type of singing which works better in my opinion with a power metal style. Overall, I really like this album; I like the concept and the historical details in the lyrics. What I like a lot too about the band is that the pirate concept is applied to everything, from the costumes to their communication online: everything is pirate-themed.
Band: Pirate Queen
Album: Travelling Around the World
Release date: 04 September 2026
Label: Despotz Related
Related bands: Metalite, Alestorm, Wind Rose