News · 27 September 2026

Leon Bridges Releases New Album 'Happiness Anytime'

The album arrives six months ahead of the American crooner's upcoming 2027 Australian tour.

Leon Bridges - photo by Joshua Kissi

Leon Bridges returned last week with his long-awaited fifth studio album, Happiness Anytime.

Produced by J Lloyd-Watson and Lydia Kitto of British trio Jungle, the follow-up to 2024's Leon is a throwback to Bridges' debut album Coming Home while also experimenting with new sounds, with Fela Kuti, Paul Simon and Jorge Ben inspirations.

"For me, happiness is not a feeling that you chase," Bridges says. "I want this album to be something that lingers with people and lingers in people's bones. There's this feeling that we have to fix the problems of the world; you feel inadequate, or it can be debilitating. My role is to be light. I hope that comes across with this album."

The record features the focus track 'Watch Your Dance', an old-school R&B that's as smooth as silk and made for getting down on the dancefloor.

Happiness Anytime arrives after Bridges announced his Australian return, which will see him play a mix of headline shows and festivals across February and March 2027.

Speaking about his upcoming Australian tour, Bridges commented: "I’m always excited to get back to Australia. I’ve had some really special moments there over the years, and I’m looking forward to returning and sharing this party with everyone."

Bridges begins his run of Aussie shows in Sydney with a concert at the Sydney Opera House Forecourt on Friday 26 February. He then plays Brisbane's On the Banks on Sunday 28 February, Fremantle's Walyalup Fremantle Arts Centre on Wednesday 3 March and then WOMADelaide in Adelaide on Friday 5 March, wrapping things up in Melbourne at Royal Botanic Gardens on Saturday 6 March.

Joining Bridges on tour at selected shows will be special guests 54 Ultra and Surprise Chef.

Tickets are on sale now at frontiertouring.com.

Breaking through with his soulful 2015 debut album, Coming Home, Leon Bridges quickly established himself as one of modern music's most exciting voices.

Three more records followed – 2018's Good Thing, 2021's Gold-Diggers Sound and 2024's Leon – with Bridges gaining more fans across the globe with each genre-defying release.

Bridges has been touring his record with a new live setup comprising a DJ, horn section, three backing vocalists and Bridges himself out front, which audiences can witness live next year.

Happiness Anytime is out now. Listen here. Catch Leon Bridges performing at WOMADelaide 2027 on Friday 5 March. Tickets on sale now at womadelaide.com.au.