Brightside

Released in January 2022, Brightside serves as a bridge between Rich Brian's cinematic 'The Sailor' era and his continued evolution as a technical lyricist. Spanning only four tracks, the EP functions as a 'love letter to rap,' emphasizing flow complexity and rhythmic experimentation. The project was largely a solo endeavor in terms of creative direction, intended to document his mental and technical improvements over a year of relative isolation. Sonically, it retains the lush, often orchestral-tinged production associated with 88rising but strips away the conceptual weight of a full-length album in favor of immediate, high-energy impact. Tracks like 'New Tooth' showcase a more aggressive, confrontational side of Brian, while 'Sunny' provides a melodic counterpoint that aligns with his pop-rap sensibilities. Critically, it was viewed as a showcase of his versatility, proving he could handle both underground-leaning technicality and mainstream-ready hooks with equal ease.