Run

Released in 2015, Run is the sophomore effort from AWOLNATION, following the massive success of Megalithic Symphony. Recorded almost entirely in Aaron Bruno's Malibu home, the album represents a deliberate pivot toward a more 'organic' and 'raw' sound. Bruno famously eschewed vocal tuning and polished studio sheen, opting instead for a 'non-GMO' approach that included recording drum parts on an iPhone. This DIY ethos contrasts sharply with the album's massive, industrial-leaning electronic production. Sonically, it is defined by its 'explosive bursts' - a signature AWOLNATION trait where songs shift violently between quiet tension and maximalist noise. Critics, including AllMusic, noted the album's darker, more experimental tone compared to its predecessor. It stands as a document of an artist attempting to reconcile mainstream success with a desire for authentic, unpolished expression, resulting in a record that is as challenging as it is anthemic.