F2 Entertainment Group
Release Date: November 25th 2022
Reviewed by: Joshua Andre
Runaway June– Cowboy For Christmas (Single) (Amazon mp3/iTunes)
Track Listing:
- Cowboy For Christmas
Runaway June has been a band that has been up-and-coming for a few years, and it’s only been in 2020 when I was actively exploring the country music genre, that I came across this country-pop trio. Runaway June reminds me of artists like Little Big Town, Point of Grace, even The McClymonts and The Chicks (f.k.a. the Dixie Chicks), and so as I started listening to this very unique and underrated band, I was to be reminded of a few things. One- that God works in ways that we don’t even know how, showing us varying musical styles and allowing us to enjoy a vast plethora of music, for our enjoyment but also for Him to speak to us in ways that we can only deem to be God-ordained. And secondly, hearing Runaway June over the last few years has been a great thing, as I’m reminded of uplifting songs like “We Were Rich” and “Buy My Own Drinks”; and encouraged of this notion of being grateful and thankful as well as being strong as an individual and knowing who you are as a person. While I still haven’t heard a lot of trio’s songs to date, what I have heard filled with me excitement and anticipation when the band released their debut Christmas EP (on October 16th, 2020). As Jon reviewed the 5 song EP in December 2020, as well as the band’s 3 song EP titled Backstory in 2021; Jon also voiced his thoughts on the 2022 single titled “Broken Hearts (Do Broken Things)”, their first single without Naomi Cooke Johnson, who has since gone onto record songs as a solo artist, and their first single with Stevie Woodward. But as it’s coming up to Christmas, now it’s time to voice our thoughts about “Cowboy For Christmas”, while next year we’ll briefly touch upon the latest single “Make Me Wanna Smoke”.
A tongue-in-cheek song about how the trio are yearning for a ‘cowboy’ for Christmas- someone to love rather than transient and superfluous things that gather dust; “Cowboy For Christmas” highlights the fact that relationships are key in this life, and that money and things won’t make you happy, but people and friendships and relationships will and do. And though this melody is a somewhat unnecessary song that isn’t that profound, a deeper look reveals the reality and truth that people need the presence of other people in their lives to survive, and people can do without presents… probably all-together.
Runaway June is a great up-and-coming band, that is one to look out for in the many years ahead,not just in the country music scene, but in all music, period. This is a trio that harkens back to similar music artists of years past, from The McClymonts, Lady A and Little Big Town, to Point of Grace, and The Chicks, even other newer artists like Lauren Alaina and Lindsay Ell remind me of who this trio sounds like. And that is all a very good thing, being likened to these artists. And maybe, sometimes it’s hard to judge a band’s sound on singles and EP’s here and there. Yes, it’s true that the last new album was in 2019. Maybe we ought to wait a little for a full-length Stevie Woodward-led EP (or an album) before we cast judgement, right? Well done, Stevie, Natalie & Jennifer, for this enjoyable new-ish holiday song. Here’s to the new era of music that this song gives rise to!
Score: 4.5/5
RIYL: Lindsay Ell, Little Big Town, Lauren Alaina, Lady A, The Chicks, The McClymonts