Taking her name from her father’s love of the legendary Rum Runner nightclub, a venue that helped to define the sound of Birmingham across its lifetime, Runrummer has continually made her stamp on the industry. Receiving widespread acclaim from every tastemaking facet, from her initial slots opening the BBC Introducing Stage at 2020’s Big Weekend, to receiving the PRS ‘Women Make Music’ award, each step has been met with a drive to go further, and grace more ears with her alt-pop sound.
Building on this momentum, her debut album, Elevator, marks a new chapter in her evolution, filling the airwaves with love, colour and life’s challenges in an exploration of alternative pop. The opener, ‘Float’, sets the scene with graceful harmonies, subtle instrumentation and spacey reverbs leaving room to show off her beaming vocal talents.
As ‘Float’ gently eases the listener in, the subsequent tracks dive deeper into this dreamlike atmosphere. The project settles into natural, honest vocal tones, carried by a nostalgic wave of synth plucks and shimmering warmth. The glossy uniqueness of Runrummer continues to reveal its multicoloured portraits of indie pop, creating an environment where even the more conventional pop moments are marked with variety and awe.
As the music builds easy-going landscapes out of gentle grooves, the lead vocal takes the listener by the hand, emphasising romantic inflexions and grand musical gestures. ‘Lonely’ sets the tone for the middle section of the album, where the sonic palette broadens. This mesmerises listeners in otherworldly electronica and instinctive movement, embracing the synths as the bass punches through and the leads soar into the atmosphere.
Progressing through soft tones to kick-driven floor fillers, the artist showcases the diversity of her sound, taking the same building blocks to new structures, all brimming with personality.
The vibrant colour continues into ‘Orbit’, the brightest and most love-drenched track thus far, pouring out with contemporary nostalgia and celebration. Though the lyrics are all about being swept off your feet, the track also feels like a party for the whole project, nodding at some of its imaginative and whimsical nature and putting a smile on the listener’s face.
‘Honey Friend’ brings more themes of affection and enchantment, this time about falling head over heels for a close friend. Runrummer explains it as “a love letter to secret attraction”. Sharing, “You really want to act on your desires but you don’t want to ruin the relationship at the same time”. Elevator seamlessly transitions from moments of quiet vulnerability to euphoric highs, all while showcasing her growth over the past two years. The album sets the stage for the artist’s next steps, taking the opportunity to be inventive, without a discount for the progress that has come before. Breaking through and reaching new heights, Elevator will be a defining moment in Runrummer’s career. It is an album that places individuality at its core, crafting alternative pop that highlights the richness of human experience.