For readers who loved AWOLNATION’s “Sail,” run as fast as you can to pick up this new record.
AWOLNATION returns with its second album, “Run,” and stays on track with its unusual sound — a mixture of heavy rock and electronic influences.
However, different genres can be heard in virtually every song, seeming to borrow inspiration from the likes of Foster The People and Fall Out Boy.
It takes the experimentation from its debut album, “Megalithic Symphony” and hones it to produce a record unlike anything audiences have ever heard.
The intro, which is also the title song, immediately locks listeners in for a musical journey.
It boasts the opening lyrics, “I am a human being capable of doing terrible things” on repeat against a dark arrangement of synthesizers and piano melodies which later leads into loud electric guitars.
While this song is unlike the others on the album, it sets the serious tone present throughout.
The first few songs employ heavy synthesizers, and we hear the darker side of AWOLNATION.
As the album progresses, its songs get lighter and more personal and allowing listeners to hear softer side of the band is revealed.
The less-intense songs in the midst of ballad-heavy rock songs are “Fat Face,” “Holy Roller” and “Lie Love Live Love.” 
Each of these songs are mellow and on the verge of acoustic compared to others like “Hollow Moon (Bad Wolf)” and “Windows.” These songs provide that more familiar, gritty sound.
Even though technological influences weigh heavily on each song, the emotion in each song can’t be denied.
“Run” features not only musical experimentation but also self-exploration from frontman Aaron Bruno.
The closing song, “Drinking Lightning,” is the most serious song on the album and talks about longing for a girl who wasted her time in a relationship with another guy.
Bruno sings, “When my eyes sting, when my heart sings, there will be no strings. We’re drinking lightning.”
Overall, “Run” is every heavy metal/pop enthusiast’s dream. It’s underlying dark tone satisfies an inner rage, while the dominating pop sound makes this album easily one of the best releases of the year.
You can reach Ashlyn Rollins on Twitter @ash_r96.