KAWALA channel the best of noughties indie on "Runaway"

If you're missing the light, bright sound of guitar music in the late noughties/early '10s, this is sure to hit that sweet spot. We'll forgive that strangely Ronan Keating-esque intro, as it gives way to intricate, needle-sharp guitar and the jittery drums that drive "Runaway" forwards to its catchy, sunlight-infused chorus. There's nods to earlier influences too, with Paul Simon's impact casting an even longer shadow of nostalgia than more recent indie-poppers. That's not to say "Runaway" has nothing new to offer: while its genre and styling may sound familiar, it's well-executed enough to cast off the trappings of comparison and simply be a bloody good song.

"With our new single 'Runaway', we wanted to start the new year with something more upbeat, rhythmic and dancey," the band explain. "While we've maintained a strong running theme of journey and exploration, we've also managed to pair that with a video about space aliens and monsters, obviously."

"Runaway" follows a strong 2018 from KAWALA, with the release of their debut EP and a third sold-out London show.