James Reid is letting go of expectations and leaning into a sound that feels more instinctive, assured, and unmistakably his.

That spirit comes through in “Sunny Side,” the actor-musician’s latest single with producer and artist Luke April. The alternative-pop track offers a breezy preview of what listeners can expect from Reid’s upcoming album, honey, i’m home, arriving 10 September.

Built around bright guitars, textured drums, playful production, and a relaxed rap passage, “Sunny Side” moves with the easy confidence of someone who has nowhere to rush to. Its warmth and laid-back energy make it feel tailor-made for long drives, slow afternoons, and spontaneous plans.

But beneath its carefree surface is a more personal idea of freedom.

According to Reid, the song reflects a stage in his life where he is less concerned with how others perceive him and more comfortable defining himself on his own terms.

“Yes, it’s about freedom, but it’s also about feeling untouchable,” Reid says. “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.”

Letting the music happen

The relaxed personality of “Sunny Side” was also present in the way the song came together.

Reid and April developed the track during a week-long creative session at an Airbnb, using an outdoor space in the property’s backyard as an improvised recording studio. Instead of working toward a rigid brief, the collaborators allowed the sessions to unfold naturally, with musicians and producers coming and going as ideas emerged.

That freedom became part of the music itself.

With instruments within reach and little pressure to force a particular outcome, Reid and his collaborators relied heavily on improvisation. The result is a track that feels loose and spontaneous without sacrificing the polish expected of a modern pop release.

A glimpse of honey, i’m home

“Sunny Side” serves as an early look at the musical direction of honey, i’m home.

The record finds the multi-hyphenate exploring a quieter form of confidence — one rooted less in resistance and more in self-acceptance. Rather than presenting freedom as a reaction against expectations, the album approaches it as the ability to exist comfortably as oneself.

If “Sunny Side” is any indication, Reid’s next chapter may be less about proving where he belongs and more about enjoying the freedom of finally feeling at home.