Artist: Alex Runions
Album: Above the Clouds and On the Ground
Release Date: March 7, 2025
Genre: Country
Award-winning Canadian singer-songwriter Alex Runions has unveiled his third album, Above the Clouds and On the Ground. Marking a bold departure from his commercial country roots, the album embraces an eclectic, independent singer-songwriter approach, blending Americana, country, folk-rock, and folk-pop influences.
Produced by WCMA winner Chris Burke-Gaffney (MacKenzie Porter, Chantal Kreviazuk), the ten-track collection reflects Runions’ personal and artistic evolution, touching on themes of love, loss, redemption, and self-discovery. With heartfelt storytelling and a renewed sense of purpose, Runions invites listeners on a journey of humanity, hope, and healing.
With three previously released singles—“A Song For My Dog,” “On an Island,” and “Missing Piece”—the anticipation for the album has been building, and fans can now finally enjoy it.
“Day by Day,” co-written with Steve Mitchell, offers a raw take on addiction and recovery. Stark lyrics—“It’s a band-aid on a chest wound, just one more shot, you’ll be fine”—paint a haunting picture of self-destruction. With a stripped-down arrangement and emotive vocals, the song captures the grueling path to healing, echoed in the chorus: “Minute by minute, hour by hour, day by day.”
“Missing Piece,” co-written with Chris Burke-Gaffney, is a heartfelt love ballad about finding completeness in a soulmate. Poetic lyrics like “A king without a queen, a sun without a moon” capture the emptiness before love, while the soaring melody and sincere vocals make this an emotionally rich standout.
Runions reflects on nostalgia and life’s evolution in Watching the World Go By. Co-written with Erin Hill, Joey Ebach, Ryland Fisher, and Chris Burke-Gaffney, the song contrasts youthful freedom with adult realities, captured in “Seeing everything in colour, surrounded by black and white.” With a heartfelt melody and evocative lyrics, it’s a poignant reminder to cherish the present while remembering the past—one of the album’s most reflective tracks.
In A Song for My Dog, he honors the bond with his late pet, expressing grief and hope for reunion. Co-written with Chris Burke-Gaffney, the heartfelt lyrics—“As sure as a river runs, I will pray to get you back”—capture the deep love and loss, while the poignant melody enhances the emotional depth. It’s a touching tribute to the unconditional love pets bring into our lives.
In summary, Above the Clouds and On the Ground is a deeply introspective and heartfelt album, blending nostalgia, hope, and heartache.