4/5
Four For Texas.
After the sun comes the moon. Texan themes have run rampant through the state of entertainment this weekend. Like Netflix's sequel to the Hollywood horror classic 'The Texas Chainsaw Massacre', which will either be a chain cut above the rest, or a buzzsaw buzzkill. And now this. Texas' finest Leon Bridges isn't just the most underrated, modern Marvin of our generation (have him 'Coming Home' to the era of the sound of his classic debut and he'd be the biggest star in the world), he's also one of the hardest working like a Norah Jones. Following his subtle, but stirring 'Sweeter' protest anthem with the horns of Terrace Martin for Trayvon Martin and all the Black Lives that will always Matter with last year's 'Gold-Diggers Sound', riding on the back of his 'Motorbike'. Yet from seventies sophomore funk (2018's 'Good Thing') and dancing 'Across The Room' with ODESZA, to epic covers of Ginuwine's 'Pony' ride, Leon, bridging the gap, has always been about his Lone State. From Austin City Limits performances down the 'River', to El Paso featuring in his beautiful 'Beyond' love story, music video, breaking into coaxing dance after laughing over lunch. And now with another album and collaboration, he reunites with Texan three-piece Khruangbin the after their 'Texas Sun' for the sequel 'Texas Moon'. Getting their double-up cross-country album on like a Travelling Wilbury, Dylan, Petty, Lynne or Orbison supergroup. This moon glowing in opening like an atmospheric 'Trouble Man' soundtrack. But never coming apart.
Wrangler woven together like denim jean. Worked like Carhartt. Khruangbin, from Houston, are a holy trinity of psychedelic and instrumental rock, taking the roots of this record on a road it's never been on before. All neon highways and skies. The trio of Laura Lee, Mark Speer and Donald Ray Johnson Jr., otherwise known as DJ have worked with everyone from Jay Electronica to Paul McCartney. From the time the universe smiled upon them like Luk thung 1960's Thai music, they've blended global music like Prince did genres. Their sophomore set 'Con Todo el Mundo', mixing Spanish and Middle Eastern influences. And now following 2020's 'Mordechai', they're doubling-up on their Texas state with Fort Worth's own. 'Doris' begins this day like the slow crawl of a detective story, or Childish Gambino awakening Donald Glover's love. "Don't close your heavy/Don't close your heavy eyes, Doris (Doris)/You have so much/So much to leave behind/If you travel to the other side, Doris (Doris)/I'll be right here holding your hand/You taught me how to be a real man/I'll be right here holding your hand/You taught me how to be a real man (Ooh)/Yes, you did/Yes, you did (Ooh)/Yes, you did", Leon sings to his "New Orleans Queen" like Hathaway. Even if we are almost already halfway into this extended play with the single 'B-Side' and its video walking through the smoke like a blaxploitation flick, this cut and EP belongs on the top shelf of both artists' deluxe and definitive discography.
Flipping it over and dropping the wax back on the needle with lyrics like, "Deeply miss your love/When I’m far away/In another place, all that I dream of/My chest is your pillow/Waitin’ for your love/You in all the ways/In another place, all I’m thinkin’ of/Just can’t get enough." These are they type of joints from yesteryear, brought back today, blazing with a burning heart. Then flowing like a cocoa fondue fountain 'Chocolate Hills' rolls with sweet seduction. Bridges broodingly taking us across that threshold, soothingly singing, "Ooh, you spend your time runnin’ through your fields/The way we play in your chocolate hills/Please stay forever, just stay forever/It feel like heaven, when I’m kissin’ on your rose/Kissin’ on your rose, kissin’ on your rose-colored lips." But dear Lord it gets real holy, holy on 'Father, Father'. A sublime slow burner on this road full of those roadside motels you find along the 'River'. "Father, Father, look at these worsts that I done/I present them to you with hopes of gettin’ your attention (Gettin’ your attention)/Father, Father, look at the mess that I made/Just a man with unclean hands, from you, I hide my faith (I hide my faith)/Father, Father, these truths cuttin’ through like blades/Just a man with unclean hands, from you, I hide my faith," presenting the back and forth conversation between man and God like two hands together. The power and the glory. The best comes last though with the mesmerising, magnificent 'Mariella' over those guitar strings that stretch all the way down the lane, as far as the horizon can see. Illuminating like street and headlights heading towards the heart. "Hair pitch black like the midnight sky/Eyes like the jungle, you’re something wild/Her sweet melody sings wherever l go/Running through my mind, sitting in this road/Maybe I’Il/Write a letter from this little old country town/Down in Texas/I’lI keep it here for you." It's one of those devotions from a back pocket that you want to fold up as carefully as possible and wear always like a locket as you take it with you. This day in Texas between Khruangbin and Leon Bridges has been something else. So much so we wish there was another break of day. Because from dusk, 'till dawn, sunrise to sunset, this is the pairs best work yet. TIM DAVID HARVEY.
Playlist Picks: 'Doris', 'B-Side', 'Mariella'.
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