Genre-bending songstress Bailey Bryan has unveiled her freeing new single, “R.I.P.,” the latest preview off her upcoming EP, Sensitive Bad Bitch Music Vol. 1. Released last week on her birthday, the artist says goodbye to 24 and her old self with the high-energy anthem for fully embracing fluidity and growth. Read on as we discuss the release in our interview with the rising star.

Bailey’s journey to the forefront has been a unique one. Originally from a small town in Washington State, she started crafting songs on guitar at age twelve and later shaped her sound and style by tapping into an eclectic mix of influences: the ’90s R&B her mother raised her on, the underground hip-hop scene in nearby Seattle, and the highly refined country songwriting she began exploring upon moving to Nashville at seventeen. With a captivating sound and a talent for encapsulating “sensitive bad bitch energy” in her work, Bailey has a sense of fierceness that can’t be ignored.

Bailey first made waves in 2021 with her project, Fresh Start, which features viral tracks like “play w/ me” and “Don’t Call Me.” Following on her early success, last March, Bailey unveiled “MF” featuring multi-platinum artist, 24kGoldn, amassing 4 million streams in its first two months and landing on 33 Spotify editorial playlists upon release. Now, she pivots with her upcoming EP, Sensitive Bad Bitch Music Vol. 1, which showcases the vulnerable-yet-confident songwriting that has earned her a dedicated fanbase across the globe. Read on as we discuss the release in our interview with the rising star.

INTERVIEW

Hi Bailey, thanks for taking the time to chat today! Can you share the inspiration behind “R.I.P.”?

Bailey: RIP was inspired by a big period of change in my life, and leaving behind some people and comfort zones that were holding me back. I changed the sound of my music and decided to move from Nashville to LA in the span of a couple years because that’s what I felt called to do, it was scary and freeing, and I wanted to capture that feeling in this song.

The “R.I.P.” music video documents your move from Nashville to LA. What was that experience like, and has the move impacted your creative process or sound?

Bailey: I think the whole experience impacted my creative process and sound by forcing me to trust myself more. It was a big move and a bit of a risk, and I didn’t come here to make music that doesn’t feel right to me. I’m more intentional with my sound and set on making music that I love than ever.

Watch the “R.I.P.” Video

“R.I.P.” is the third preview you’ve shared from your upcoming project, “Sensitive Bad Bitch Music Vol. 1.” Does the meaning behind the song relate to the overall themes or messages you hope listeners will absorb from the EP?

Bailey: For sure!! Sensitive Bad Bitch music is about embracing and feeling empowered in all of your emotions, and knowing that feeling deeply doesn’t make you weak or disqualify you from being a confident bad bitch. I think you can hear that vulnerability in RIP, along with the confidence that it takes to embrace change.

How is this upcoming project different from your previous releases?

Bailey: I think I’ve just refined my sound a bit more in the upcoming project. I’m still new to pop music, and I feel like in the batch of songs, my producers and I were really able to find the most authentic way to incorporate all of my influences into a sound that really feels like me.. from 90’s rnb, to funk, to rock, it’s all in there.

Can you share your favorite track from the upcoming EP and why it’s special to you?

Bailey: It’s really hard to pick a favorite. My favorite right now is probably RIP because it came out on my 25th birthday, and I feel like the theme of becoming new and evolving just continues to resonate with me.

Can you tell us about the collaborative process for SSB and who you worked with?

Bailey: I made the entire SBB Vol. 1 project with my friends and favorite producers, Boston & Pat. We spent a lot of late nights in the studio just having fun with all of this music, i think it came together so organically because those guys really took the time to get to know me and understand my potential as an artist, I’ve never felt so seen AND had so much fun making a project.

How do you stay true to yourself while incorporating diverse influences into your music?

Bailey: I think that most artists find their unique identity through their influences, it starts as imitation, and then eventually, you find the balance and the specific elements of each sound that resonate the most with you. Incorporating diverse influences is how I stay true to myself, and make sure I’m never stuck in a box.

The new EP follows “MF,” featuring multi-platinum rapper 24kGoldn. Did working with another artist in this way for the first time change your approach to creating the song?

Bailey: Not really, if I’m being honest! I made the song on my own with Boston & Pat without a feature in mind. It wasn’t until the song was done that we started throwing around ideas for a feature, and I never thought we would get 24kGoldn on the song or that his verse would fit so perfectly. He really took the time to help take the song to the next level, and I’m super grateful for that, but when I wrote all my parts, it was just business as usual!

---

Follow Bailey Bryan
See more on Soundazed