Since releasing Coming Home last year, Leon Bridges has gone from indie-R&B outsider to mainstream headliner. The strength of Bridges' homage is one sure-fire distinction—his vibrancy and voice endear him to Sam Cooke diehards—but his showmanship has always been a cornerstone of his popularity. Appearances on late-night staples like Saturday Night Live, as well as some pretty unforgettable appearances at Pickathon 2015 have spread the gospel of Bridges' soul-lite revue far beyond the buzz of his conception after releasing a couple of songs on SoundCloud in late 2014. Take the Grammy nomination and the chart listings how you want; what's important is that Bridges is building a following based on rare convergences of appeal. RYAN J. PRADO