New music from Canadian songwriter Alex Runions brings the soulful intimacy of acoustic folk-pop and a boldly poetic story that instantly captivates. On An Island intertwines the deeply personal with the broadly accessible and imagery-loaded, for a sense of rising passion and power that consistently tightens its grip.
Nostalgic by nature for this organic to full-band arrangement, for this vocal softness and subtle rasp, for the humble moments of harmonised choir-esque support, On An Island feels like a fairly timeless folk-pop ballad. The song is delivered with genuine heart, a quality impossible to fake, and something that resounds throughout Alex Runions’ ever-impressive repertoire of original songs.
What’s more, the song is interesting, refreshing in its verse melody, and takes its time to build up to the hook and title moment. That structural choice makes all the difference, letting the passion take the wheel, and yet still remembering to consider the audience and the necessity of immersive, emotive musicianship along the way.
Consider the instrumental break after that drop into the hook – well-placed and beautifully allowing the space to consider the journey that was. After this, the softness returns, the gratitude and love shines brightly, and the whole thing leaves you keen to replay it.
Honest and engaging, individually rooted but well-crafted so as to feel like the listener’s own, On An Island is a fine example of purposeful, profound and powerful folk-pop songwriting, and showcases the very best of Alex Runiuns’ lyrical depth and vocal nuance combined.
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