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Hanna Kowal

Review: "Runaway" - KEYSIDE


Runaway by KEYSIDE Cover Art

Get lost in a tune that takes you away with KEYSIDE’s new song, “Runaway”. The track is liberating as it encapsulates the freedom in escaping from your troubles, and how that escape is that much more blissful with someone special. The speaker of the song only describes the troubles their partner faces as the reason for a need for escape, making it clear where their priorities lie; the speaker’s key objective is making sure their partner is free. The song starts by painting a picture of the discomfort this partner faces in their home, with the words “she’ll smoke you like a cigarette, throw you out like one of her butts”. It isn’t clear who the “she” in this statement is, but whether it’s a romantic, maternal, or other sort of relationship, the listeners know this person is trapped.


The chorus repeats the narrator’s want, ending with the words, “I wanna run away with you”. These simple, ongoing statements are filled with passion and motivation. Fantastical ideas arise, bringing the desire to flee to a whole new level. The second verse carries a line that really made me think: “she caught us on the patio, I climb a fishing line to the man on the moon”. This obscure and magical representation of an escape from danger gives the idea of running away a whimsical allure. In the bridge, the narrator describes themself as flying and says “it’s like you’re running through my veins, you got me high”. This intensity of obsession with getting away is a frantic intoxication, blurring the lines of reality and fantasy.





This is a track with a story, and its sound reflects that. “Runaway” is an indie rock song that features bass, electric guitar, and percussion. The vocals emulate Sting’s classic rock twang on the high notes, with a dark and casual style of their own throughout. This anthem of escape feels like the night. It has electric riffs interspersed that hold an after-dark quality to their sound. From the bold and stimulating pattern opening the song to the simple repetition of ascending staccato in the verses, the guitar brings a creative level of excitement to the tune. The way the instrumentals embolden the chorus makes you feel like you’re at a concert. Simple lyrics are filled with soul, and when you sing along, you feel just as free as the words want you to.


KEYSIDE is a Liverpool-based band that aims to stick to its city’s musical roots, drawing on the city’s sound to inspire their music. The band has four members: lead vocalist and acoustic guitarist, Dan Parker; lead guitarist, Ben Cassidy; percussionist, Oisin McAvoy; and bass player/background vocalist, Max Gibson. Together, the band have performed and recorded their songs, having graced the stages at festivals and performed with artists including Shed Seven and Jamie Webster. In March, they released their debut EP, “Nikita”, and are keeping their music flowing! Check out the links below to give their songs a listen, and experience the incredible Liverpool rock this band has to offer.


Written By Hanna Kowal


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