REVIEW: JWL Releases Her Edgy Electronic Pop Anthem "Runaway"
The electric-pop artist, JWL (also known as Jewel), released their first single of the year called “Runaway” on June 1st. This new song is the Brooklyn, New York singer-songwriter’s fourth official single since first releasing music a few years ago. With this new single, the artist does not stray away from their usual electronic pop sound, but does take on a slightly darker tone.
“Runaway” begins with a low voice effect for the singer and a throbbing, gazy beat that lasts throughout most of the song, immediately suggesting a darker vibe for JWL. The tone of the song pairs perfectly with the lyrics, which are about the singer’s anxieties and “fallen off the deep end” as the singer states in the first verse. JWL describes lyrically what’s going on by telling us “one end of the song is about repeating the behaviors that harm me, and giving into the temptation of these behaviors. The other side of the song is about losing control of myself…”
During the chorus, JWL describes their feelings and the reasons why they want to run away. One of the reasons being “seeing everything I love turn grey- it’s so cold”, a standout line of the song, meaning they don’t want to see everyone/everything get old because that’s something out of their control. JWL also describes their surroundings and the “evil vultures” that won’t go away, and being scared to confess the panic they cause. The whole song is about either giving into the demons and temptations by going back to their old ways, or being saved by simply running away.
All the scary feelings and panic the singer has can be felt during the chorus, as well, just by the way it’s being sung. The repetition of the word “panic” and the slight change in pace of words really convey how one would feel under these specific circumstances. The rest of the chorus continues to be just as catchy, and is really the driving force of the song and where the song is most impactful.
This artist is still fairly new, but one to keep in touch with for fans of pop music. Stay on track with JWL for the release of a music video for “Runaway” in the future, as well.
