Rich Boy Junkie – We’re Gonna Be Fine (Exclusive Premiere)
For some, the idea of being stuck in a rut feels like a daily task – especially while in quarantine. The phrase “same ol’, same ol'” almost feels literal at this point. But while the future continues to remain an infinite reality of uncertainty, at the end of it all, things will be back to normal one day. For multi-instrumental Collin Thomas, it’s a worthy challenge to remain positive until that day arrives:
“I’ve shared some very memorable, special moments with the family members I live with and the people I’ve been in contact with through this. And as disrupted as we are right now, I just wanted to put it out there that we will never forget this time period. This is a struggle to some degree for everyone and there’s a lot of fear, so I wanted to shine a spotlight on the moments where you can step back, call an old friend, pick up a hobby, make art, or even just breathe through this“.
Since relocating from Chicago to Los Angeles, Thomas has shifted his bedroom music project Rich Boy Junkie into a more established musical act, finding room to experiment with his sound. His latest album The Happy Face, which he released back in November 2019, was an exploration of ’80 synth-wave and post-punk. But for his new single “We’re Gonna Be Fine”, Thomas returned to his singer-songwriter roots of his 2018 release Illinois, You’re Killing Me, finding inspiration from the new chapter of his West Coast life and the strangeness of the ongoing pandemic.
“It’s about enjoying the journey of being young and sort of dumb and making the mistakes that will be fun stories down the line”, explains Thomas. “Right now that feels kind of stripped away from us because of the quarantine situation, which is where the line ‘we should be going out tonight’ comes from”.
Nevertheless, the song focuses on reconnecting with the fun and excitement within your life, mixing charming melancholy with toe-tapping guitar rhythms and a strong, positive spirit. And for Thomas, that is where the song truly comes to life during these times.
Rich in emo-rock and alternative folk, there’s hints of ’90s and ’00s bands like American Football, Jack’s Mannequin, and even Counting For Crows. Its uplifting, chorus of “we’re gonna be fine” calls out to the light at the end of the tunnel; through its fitting emo-folk stylings, Thomas finds a way to be encouraging.
The pessimists may say it’s blind faith, but it’s the thought that counts.
