Runaway June are one of Nashville’s most exciting modern country trios, blending timeless harmonies with fresh, pop-driven energy. Originally formed in 2015, the group quickly stood out for their fiddle-fuelled sound, heartfelt songwriting and soaring three-part vocals that recalled the spirit of classic female country acts while carving out their own lane. After breaking through with early singles like ‘Buy My Own Drinks' and touring alongside artists such as Carrie Underwood, they cemented themselves as a dynamic force on the country scene. With Jennifer Wayne’s pedigree as the granddaughter of Hollywood legend John Wayne, Natalie Stovall’s virtuoso fiddle playing and Stevie Woodward’s powerhouse vocals, the trio bring together a rare mix of tradition, musicianship and star power.
Over the years, Runaway June have weathered lineup changes, label shifts and a rapidly changing country landscape, yet their resilience and artistry have only sharpened. Their music blends influences from Shania Twain to Fleetwood Mac, fusing fiddle, guitar and pop-country polish with lyrical wit and emotional depth. Known for both their electrifying live performances and their ability to craft songs that resonate from dance floors to campfires, Runaway June stand as a beacon of female empowerment and creative fearlessness in today’s country scene. ‘New Kind of Emotion' is their boldest statement yet—a record that captures who they are, where they’ve been and the boundless potential of where they’re going.
As stated, ‘New Kind of Emotion’ arrives six years after their debut, and it feels like both a reset and a reinvention. Opening track ‘Real Good Night' sets the tone with breezy guitars, fiery fiddles, and a funky Shania-esque bounce that dares you not to dance. When they sing, “let me go outta control,” it’s not just a lyric but a mission statement. With a cheeky nod to Whitney Houston’s ‘I Wanna Dance With Somebody' woven into the chorus, the trio plant their flag firmly in big, bold pop-country territory. It’s a perfect icebreaker for an album that never shies away from fun but always layers in depth.
The party continues on ‘Drink Champagne', a Latin-infused, hip-swaying groove that shows just how much Runaway June have expanded their palette. Stevie’s playful line “my girls are showing up” has a wink-and-nudge ambiguity that makes the track sparkle with personality. Handclaps, syncopated rhythms, and the declaration “we’re so over, being sober” push the song toward a celebratory climax, proving the trio can flirt with tropical-pop influences without losing their country core. It’s exuberant, witty, and tailor-made for summer playlists.
But the album isn’t just about high-energy escapism. The title track, ‘New Kind of Emotion,' shifts gears with a slick, West Coast-leaning anthem that calls to mind Lady A at their smoothest. The mid-tempo sway and chugging guitars feel cinematic, like a sunset drive down the Pacific Coast Highway. When the group harmonises “this is what a love song feels like,” the line lands as both meta and heartfelt, encapsulating the glow of long-term love. It’s a slower moment, yes, but one that carries the album’s emotional heartbeat.
That reflective tone continues on ‘Stars on the Ceiling', a pop-country standout with a bittersweet core. Opening with Stevie’s weary confession, “the world’s on fire… and I’m just so tired,” the song taps into a universal desire for simplicity in chaotic times. Nostalgic yet forward-looking, it builds from delicate harmonies into a mantra-heavy climax that begs for a live singalong. Likewise, ‘To Be Yours' and ‘Come Home to Me' showcase Runaway June’s more intimate side: the former a campfire-ready fiddle-and-guitar ballad about love’s quiet resilience, the latter an Irish-tinged plea for comfort that swells with emotional release. These quieter songs prove the trio can be just as compelling in hushed moments as they are at full blast.
The middle stretch of the album finds them blending resilience with firepower. ‘Done With Me Yet' is a fiddle-laced anthem of grit, declaring “still got some wild left in my west” before exploding into a soaring final act. ‘Miss Me' follows with Carrie Underwood levels of drama: thunderous drums, searing guitars, and Stevie’s most impassioned vocal on the record. It’s a song about being unforgettable, and its fiery ambition makes it one of the album’s crown jewels. That same attitude fuels ‘He Ain’t My Problem,' where cheeky lyrics like “it’s been too damn long since I got laid” add bite to a rollicking barroom rocker. Toss in a guitar solo and playful spoken asides—“don’t forget to get a pre-nup”—and you’ve got a masterclass in tongue-in-cheek empowerment.
Elsewhere, Runaway June let their hair down with songs that lean into playfulness and genre fusion. ‘Make Me Wanna Smoke' and ‘Fine Wine' (in both its full and Duke’s stripped-down versions) double down on the band’s knack for wordplay and fiddle-fuelled swagger, blending humor with heartache. ‘Sad Girl,' meanwhile, might be the most inventive cut of all—a Fleetwood Mac-inspired groove laced with disco sparkle and fiddle breakdowns, urging listeners to shake off heartbreak with the rallying cry “put your heels on and leave the tears home.” It’s clever, stylish and destined to slay in a live setting.
Taken as a whole, ‘New Kind of Emotion' is a triumphant reemergence for Runaway June. Six years on from their debut, after lineup shifts, label changes and the seismic shifts in country music brought by artists like Morgan Wallen, Jennifer Wayne and her bandmates sound not only intact but reinvigorated. The record brims with melody, harmony and fearless ambition—whether in the party anthems, the tender ballads, or the genre-blending experiments. For fans of pop-country who crave both hooks and heart, this album really does have everything: fire, fun and a new kind of emotion worth raising a glass to.
Track list: 1. Real Good Night 2. Drink Champagne 3. New Kind of Emotion 4. Stars on the Ceiling 5. To Be Yours 6. Done With Me Yet 7. Miss Me 8. He Ain't My Problem 9. Make Me Wanna Smoke 10. Fine Wine 11. Come Home to Me 12. Sad Girl 13. Fine Wine (Duke's Version) Release Date: 19th September Record Label: QHMG / Quartz Hill Records Buy ‘New Kind of Emotion' right here
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