Rich Brian Returns (Rather Introspectively) With 'WHERE IS MY HEAD?'

Hypebeast

18 hours ago

Summary
WhileRich Brian's internet presence hasn't wavered in the past six years, his solo music output has – and his just-as-online fanbase hasn't let him forget that in his Instagram comments. Taking a lengthy hiatus after his last longform release –1999in 2020, which was preceded by sophomore albumThe Sailorin 2019, and his 2018 debut,Amen –Brian has been busy in the interim.
As he returns to the scene with his new project,WHERE IS MY HEAD?,it's clear the88risingartist has spent the last few years deep in the depths of developing not only his artistic vision, but also navigating his psyche, the 15-track album a vessel for all of his discoveries along the way.
Having done a lot of looking inward in the past years – even up until the past few months, as he delayed the album due to feeling 'incredibly inspired by the people, places, and sounds' around him – the genre-traversingWHERE IS MY HEAD?not only marks the most introspective release from the candid artist, but also what he believes to be his best.
'Went absolutely nuts on the production for all the songs, some of my fav lyrics and storytelling work I've done so far,' he wrote in an Instagram caption in which he also shared that he wrote most of the album 'in a room by [himself], as 'it just felt too personal to do any other way.'
Also signalling his most ambitious and honed-in longform drop,WHERE IS MY HEAD?revolves around a sharp, two-character concept, in which Brian plays both Movie Brian and Maestro Brian, the latter an alter-ego who scores for the former, his on-screen persona.
Right from the jump, the first track, 'Senja' – which translates to 'Dusk' in Indonesian – kicks off (and closes out) with an Indonesian intro, laying the groundwork for Brian to lay down his verse.
As for the features, the close-to-home collection of music sees contributions from a considered bunch of artists. 'Every feature on this album has been so organic, from the making of the song, to thinking 'wow ___ would sound crazy on this' to me dming them with 0 expectations and having them actually respond n come through and some even willing to take notes & direction from me,' the musician reflected on Instagram, ultimately choosing to tapToro Y Moi,Ski Mask The Slump God,Maxo Kream,redveil,Charlotte Day Wilson, DAISY WORLD and Kurtis Wells to offer their hand to the heartfelt soundscape.
1. Senja2. Body High ft. Toro y Moi3. Jumpy ft. Ski Mask The Slump God4. Took A Breath5. Butterfly6. Fat Cats, Starving Dogs ft. Maxo Kream7. Little Ray Of Light8. Ma9. Serpents!10. Bumpy Road ft. redveil11. Timezones12. Is It? ft. Charlotte Day Wilson, DAISY WORLD13. She ft. Kurtis Wells14. Oh Well15. Jelly Air Island
Stream Rich Brian'sWHERE IS MY HEAD?– out everywhere now.