QHMG / Quartz Hill Records’ Runaway June released the Gold-selling trio’s 13-track sophomore album, New Kind of Emotion. The long-awaited record is available now across all digital retail and streaming partners.
Described by Entertainment Focus as “a triumphant reemergence for Runaway June,” New Kind of Emotion gleams with country-pop sheen yet is anchored by traditional down-home fiddle, mandolin and pedal steel. The album is a modern country celebration of good times and girl power, friendship and independence, and romantic love that’s wanted but not needed. New Kind of Emotion delivers an uplifting and empowering listening experience, of which Runaway June founding member Jennifer Wayne says, “Even the sad songs are fun!”
STREAM / LISTEN TO New Kind of Emotion HERE.
Runaway June band members—Jennifer Wayne (vocals, rhythm guitar), Natalie Stovall (vocals, fiddle, mandolin) and Stevie Woodward (lead vocals and guitar, harmonica)—co-wrote 11 of the 13 tracks on New Kind of Emotion. The musically adventurous trio pooled the talents of five separate Nashville producers: multiple-GRAMMY winners Kristian Bush (Sugarland) and Ron Fair (Christina Aguilera) as well as Mickey Jack Cones (Joe Nichols), Stone Aielli and Austin Moody.
“I want people to know that this album is authentically Runaway June,” says Natalie. “It’s us searching for who we are, and you’ll hear some different influences because it spans a three-year period for us. We were trying different things and we were in different stages of life, so the album really puts a stamp on that moment in time for us.”
Album focus track “Drink Champagne” is a Latin-flavored fiesta that argues champagne shouldn’t just be reserved for special occasions. Written by Runaway June and produced by Ron Fair, the toast-worthy tune reflects Jennifer and Stevie’s Latin heritage, and the trio’s backstage pre-show tradition of popping open a bottle of bubbly:
We don’t need a grand occasion
Don’t need some fancy celebration
To catch a little sunup sundown buzz
We can pop bottles just because
We just wanna make it rain
We got bubbly on the brain
Tomorrow there’s gonna be hell to pay
But we just wanna drink champagne
“We were actually in a management meeting when we wrote that song,” recalls Jennifer. “One of us started singing the hook, and then all three of us dove in and just had a blast writing it and we had to cancel our management meeting! I think that’s kind of the theme of the whole album—we’ve just been having so much fun together.”
WATCH the “Drink Champagne” official visualizer HERE.
Newly released album highlights also include “Stars on the Ceiling,” a blissful mid-tempo escape from a world of grown-up troubles, taking us back to the magical universe of a childhood bedroom with stars on the ceiling. “Sad Girl” is a fierce, barn-blazing song of encouragement and empowerment for any sad girl, reminding her of all the reasons why, “It ain’t that bad, girl.” Showcasing a more tender, heartfelt side of Natalie’s fiddle playing, “Come Home to Me” is an Irish-inspired blessing, promising someone you love that they can always return home if life gets too hard.
Previously released album highlights include title track and current radio single “New Kind of Emotion,” a feel-good ode to falling in love that was a Top 5 Most Added Song at U.S. Country Radio (Mediabase) upon its official impact date and lauded by Billboard as a “Must-Hear New Country Song.” “He Ain’t My Problem” is a sassy and revealing breakup anthem that MusicRow named a “Disc of the Day,” describing it as, “Feisty and fun, fun, fun … their songwriting is peerless.” Inspired by Stevie’s recent engagement to boyfriend Jordan Howell, “To Be Yours” is a beguilingly melodic love song declaring that all a couple really needs in life is each other.
“Runaway June are friends, and we want the listeners to also feel that girlhood, that sisterhood, and for our male listeners too,” says Stevie. “We want people to know that they’re not alone in whatever phase they’re going through. If you just wanna have a good time, there are songs for you on this album, or if you wanna feel something, there are those songs as well.”
Tonight (9/19), Runaway June will celebrate the release of New Kind of Emotion with an iHeartCountry Instagram Stories takeover, live from the 2025 iHeartRadio Music Festival presented by Capital One, in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Fans can follow along @iHeartCountry as Jennifer, Natalie and Stevie share exclusive backstage and onstage content, chat with performers from the festival’s star-studded lineup, and surprise one lucky fan with free tickets. The Instagram Stories takeover is sponsored by Impossible Foods.
Runaway June’s upcoming tour dates include Wolf Nights at the Mid-South Fair in Southaven, Mississippi, on Sept. 25, the Golf & Guitars music festival in Sacramento, California, on Sept. 30, and WORKPLAY Theatre in Birmingham, Alabama, on Oct. 30. To stay updated on shows as they are added, visit www.runawayjune.com/tour.
