Grammy winner Leon Bridges releases self-titled album Leon ahead of his Australian tour.

Grammy winner Leon Bridges doesn't just use social media to release songs, it's also the avenue that led to a songwriting collaboration with fellow Grammy winner and Your Body is a Wonderland singer John Mayer.

“I was in LA doing a session with one of my friends,” Bridges told ABC News.

“And I went on Instagram Live and I was like, 'Yo, we're here in LA,' and then John Mayer chimed in and was like, 'Where are you? Drop the address.'

“And yeah, he came through and we tuned up some music and then he basically invited me to his studio afterwards and then we started working on the song.”

The song is called “When a Man Cries” and is the first song on Bridges' fourth LP, Leon, which was released on Friday.

A metaphor for letting go

Bridges says perceptions of men crying and being vulnerable have evolved positively as people have gained a better understanding of mental health.

But that wasn't always the case.

“I feel like the whole concept really isn’t talked about enough,” Bridges said.

“And growing up and seeing that in the black community, in our circles, we don't really have the space to express our feelings, just for fear of being labeled weak.”

“I love my city”

The album “Leon” contains 13 tracks, including “That's What I Love,” “Laredo” and “Peaceful Place,” as well as “Panther City,” about the place Bridges calls home – Fort Worth, Texas.

“I love my city, Fort Worth,” Bridges said.

“I had a really great upbringing. Fort Worth is one of those small, big cities.

“And what I love about it is that people are actually real people, and that’s always very grounding.”

Bridges grew up listening to his parents' music, and that has influenced his sound.

“My dad, he was really a fan of Sam Cooke and the Motown era. (He) introduced me to people like Stevie Wonder and blues music.”

“And my mom was really into Sade, Anita Baker and Babyface.

Bridges also draws inspiration from where he finds himself while creating.

“I love Van Morrison and his album Astral Weeks and how he really painted a picture of some of these geographical places that shaped him,” Bridges said.

“And I think a little bit of that inspiration went into this album, and I think the location has a lot to do with the inspiration.”

“I worked on the album for almost five years in Los Angeles and Nashville and I was burned out… and so we packed up and went to Mexico City, and I mean, the whole experience was very peaceful and affirming, and I I feel like the energy and essence of this place seeped into the music a little bit.

Bridges returns to Australia

Bridges returns to Australia after performing here several times in the past, including at the Sydney Opera House.

He has a message for his Australian fans.

“I have to thank you for all the support over these years and, man, I can’t wait for you to hear my album, Leon, and I can’t wait to get back out there and play some shows.”

Leon is out now and tour dates are available Here.