“Isn’t Bright…” by Great American Racer is a poignant and evocative track that encapsulates the essence of the band’s self-titled debut album, which we will cover soon. The song is a part of a concept album that addresses the heroin and opioid epidemic plaguing Rust Belt communities across the United States, with a particular focus on the band’s hometown of Johnstown, Pennsylvania.
The song is highly recommended for fans of slow core, folk rock, and the direction heartland rock has taken in recent years. The track is a melancholic anthem that encapsulates the feelings of loss and the struggle against systemic failures. It is a song that takes listeners on a journey through a multitude of emotions, perfectly capturing the feeling of witnessing the disintegration of one’s hometown.
The song’s creator, Jake Dryzal, has expressed that “Isn’t Bright…” took him out of his comfort zone as a musician. He views the song as a centerpiece of the album, expressing all of the album’s themes in one package. Despite the song’s somewhat pessimistic messaging, Dryzal hopes it will inspire positive change and provide a sense of hope for better times ahead.
Musically, the song is praised for its steady rhythm and guitar picks, which contribute to its melancholic mood. The song’s sound is described as encompassing the general feel of the entire album, making it one of the strongest songs on the record.