Caitlyn Eve’s distinct taste for the emulsion of folk, rock and indie all in the space of a 3-4 minute song is showcased once again by the release of her latest single, ‘Runaway’. Her potential for writing immersive and memorable songs has already been exhibited on her previous releases; especially in her debut spotify single, ‘Scarlet’, which built a lush and dreamlike sonic atmosphere to fit an emotionally raw love song.
Now, with her new release ‘Runaway’, Caitlyn invites us into an imaginative lyrical space within the musical realms of folk-pop nostalgia.
Described by herself as a ‘catchy toxic love song’, the track lyrically captures the thrill of a relationship that isn’t quite as picturesque as it seems, echoed by its deceptively sweet and understated indie-pop instrumentation.
‘Runaway’ tells the story of psychological entrapment through the perspective of a distressed and uncertain narrator. The repetition of fiery imagery throughout amplifies a cyclical sense of self destructive love:
“There’s a fire in my heart, and a hole in my chest.”
However, in a darker and more urgent turn, ‘Runaway’’s chorus sees Eve’s narrator struggling with the detrimental effect this relationship may have on them emotionally and physically:
“This kinda love will put me in the ground.”
Instrumentally, ‘Runaway’ incorporates simplistic indie riffs during verses, building up to a chorus of similarly formulaic chords but layered in an impactful way.
Its percussion is minimalistic, but really lends itself to the track. It shines focus upon Caitlyn’s captivating vocals, which linger with a sense of urgency, amplifying the song’s confessional tone. Eve’s nasal vibrato is reminiscent of singer-songwriter Jessica Pratt, which certainly captivates its folkish elements.
The most sonically intriguing element of the track occurs during the bridge and final chorus, where added vocal harmonies create a haunting and almost celestial effect.
Noticeably, when listening to her catalogue, Caitlyn often implements the technique of building up to choral crescendos whilst keeping to a fixed and hook-heavy sonic structure. ‘Runaway’ carries the same formula, but branches out into a much poppier sound reminiscent of prominent songwriter and musician Jade Bird, or perhaps even Boygenius at times.
Ultimately, ‘Runaway’ is a compelling addition to Caitlyn Eve’s catalogue, and I’m excited to see what’s next for her. If you’ve been searching for a song with an equal measure of both catchiness and vulnerability, then look no further!
You can listen to “Runaway” below: https://open.spotify.com/album/5YhWLS3uf0hewjy38rIlNB?si=oV59V1xhTUCYhPrI8NKtEg&nd=1&dlsi=02f4e2f7844d4e6a
Review by: Amelie Griffiths
Follow Amelie on Instagram: ameliemaya_21
