James Reid Teams Up With Luke April On New Single “Sunny Side” — Listen
James Reid explores a sense of newfound freedom in his latest single, featuring PLAYERTWO’s Luke April.
JAMES REID, LUKE APRIL: Courtesy of Sony Music Entertainment
James Reid is all about feeling free and letting loose with his latest single, “Sunny Side,” featuring producer and PLAYERTWO member Luke April, released through Sony Music Entertainment.
“Sunny Side” captures the feeling of riding life’s flows without knowing where they’ll lead, while staying completely at ease and open to whatever comes.
The single previews Reid’s new musical direction as he works with April on his upcoming album, honey, i’m home.
For the 33-year-old singer-actor, the song comes from a place where he is assured and has a clearer understanding of his personal freedom, and “choosing who he wants to be rather than being defined by outside perceptions,” says the press release.
“Yes, it’s about freedom, but it’s also about feeling untouchable,” Reid shares in a press statement. “Who I am is not defined by what people think; it’s who I choose to be despite what people think. Say what you want, I’ll be here on the sunny side.”
Produced by April during a week-long creative session with Reid at an outdoor studio in the backyard of an Airbnb, the song brings to life the distinct artistry of both artists.
The song best represents the kind of vibe and atmosphere the record is going for, more on the laid-back tendencies that leave so much room for experimentation and improvisation.
Inspired by Dominic Fike’s “Sunburn” and Jean Dawson’s “Bruiseboy,” April shares that the song has a fun, journey-like quality, saying, “Each section of the song sounds a tiny bit different from each other, which makes the listening experience more fun and journey-like.”
“For every project that I do, whether it’s for someone else or my own […] No overthinking, keep mistakes, be patient for happy accidents, and make sure everyone’s having fun during the session,” he adds.
The result is a track that is best listened to on spontaneous drives, sunny afternoons, and casual hangouts with friends and loved ones.
Listen to “Sunny Side” below:
honey, i’m home releases on September 10 and features “Sunny Side,” along with the previously released tracks “Traffic,” “Richest Man Alive,” and “Blessed.”
According to Reid, “the album represents an arrival of sorts, one defined by acceptance and a more assured relationship with himself […] [the album] comes from a place of quiet confidence: a self-assuring kind of love, from freedom as acceptance, not rebellion. Home is where I’m most myself.”
Frequently Asked Questions
“Sunny Side” is about feeling free and untouchable, with Reid choosing who he wants to be rather than being defined by outside perceptions.
Luke April is a producer and member of the group PLAYERTWO. He produced “Sunny Side” and is co-creating Reid’s upcoming album with him.
“Sunny Side” previews James Reid’s upcoming album honey, i’m home, produced with Luke April, representing the record’s laid-back, experimental direction.
Luke April produced “Sunny Side” during a week-long session with Reid at an outdoor studio in an Airbnb backyard, favoring spontaneity over overthinking.
Luke April cited Dominic Fike’s “Sunburn” and Jean Dawson’s “Bruiseboy,” aiming for a track where each section sounds a bit different from the last.
