Red Moon’s “I Run” is a hypnotic ode to chosen family

In those moments when life’s grinding me down, all I need is an hour with my best friends to bring out the best version of me. For Red Moon, who ping-ponged between Switzerland and Norway growing up, finding these friendships and making her own communities in these places was an integral part of finding herself as a person and an artist. “I Run,” her first single since 2021, acts as a love letter to the friendships that bring out those different sides of her.

Red Moon describes her music as ‘siren pop,’ seamlessly weaving through elements of techno and house, pure pop, classical, and trap. Fittingly, “I Run” is a slow burning electro pop number with enticing vocals that draw you into Red Moon’s world, much like the mythological creatures known to lure sailors down paths of temptation with their voices. On the track, Red Moon reaches Caroline Polachek levels of cascading vocal runs that give the track an operatic flare; Polachek is a noted influence of Red Moon’s, along with St. Vincent, Imogen Heap, and James Blake, all of whom’s tendencies for thick drum and bass beats and swirling synths show themselves on “I Run.”

The track highlights experimental, AURORA-esque pop that is emphasized by the juxtaposition of Red Moon’s sweet vocals flowing over the ever-intensifying backbeat. This comes to a head at the end of the song, with the combination of an overflowing vocal run and the built up reverb plummeting listeners head first into an all-consuming explosion of emotion.

On the inception of “I Run,” Red Moon says her intention was “to capture the emotion of how someone close to you can enhance and elevate the different and unique sides of you,” shown in lyrics like “You make me / fall into the deepest version of myself,” accompanied by synths that mirror the main melody. The hook “When I run into your arms / that’s where I wanna stay” evokes similar feelings as Polachek’s vocal runs on Charlift’s “I Belong In Your Arms:” desire, comfort, and the relief of knowing certain people are right for you, romantically or platonically.

“I Run” is purposefully vague, leaving space for listeners to imagine their own people they run towards for solace, but for Red Moon, it’s meant for her closest friends. She says the song is “a love letter to my amazing friends, family, and soul family who have been my support system over the last three years. As a queer person living away from home, chosen family is so important.”

The music video for “I Run” sees Red Moon walking and running in place, trying to reach the arms of those friends she feels at home with. It’s a hazy dreamstate filled with fog, spotlights, wind, petals, and sparkles, with a red tint that beautifully compliments her flowing hair sweeping behind her. Regardless of what is happening around her, Red Moon’s gaze is fixed straight ahead, determined to reunite with those that bring out the best sides of her.