Swedish elites dubbed him “the best singer in Sweden” after hearing his latest EP release; there’s no denying that the title given to the Swedish artist-producer Alex Runo is a fact. On January 17th, 2025, this star released his five-track collection entitled “Living & Breathing,” which showcases not only his range as a musician but, again, his stories and experiences through his craftsmanship. The quality of these tracks is unmistakably top-tier; it is relatable, well-polished, strong, and nothing short of perfection.
As someone who was born into a life full of music that covers gospel, soul, blues, pop, and rock, Alex Runo has masterfully concocted a style that he can call his own, and this style is cemented by multiple golden and platinum awards that he has got on the span of his career having worked with superstars like Super Junior and TVXQ. But success doesn’t blind Alex, and with the release of his latest EP, “Living & Breathing,” this proves that he’s still pushing his boundaries to evolve and get past all of his accomplishments to create something that not only reflects his personal life but to anyone who can relate to having ever been at the middle of a crossroad on their lives.
The project opens with a strong track called No Good One. This song carries a hard punch, as carried by the strong instrumentation and the commanding vocals of the artist, who sings lines depicting a raging battle between someone and their demons. With the sleek production comprising of sharp beats and prominent guitar and bass riffs, this track puts on a fight; it is potent, it is charged, it’s about fighting… hard… to win.
Now comes the title track, “Living and Breathing,” which honestly caught me off guard upon its opening notes that reminded me of the song Malibu Nights. It is heavy and just like a confession; this song is packed with both passion and pain. With love so strong you don’t even know when and where to stop even though you know at the end of it, it’s gonna be so painful for you because you know in the first place, this love isn’t good for you. It is the type of love that you find hard to walk away from, and the vibe of the song carries that weight. And I felt that, and I’m sure as you listen, you will too.
“Paper Love” is a personal favorite because this song burns, literally and figuratively. The soft synths and the vulnerable vocals of the artist carry the tale of a love that burned bright but was too frail to like; like paper to fire, it burns fast, but it doesn’t last. I personally love how Alex knows how to properly lay out all his emotions into words, then into rhythms and melodies, and then into a complete song. Just like the tracks “I Am More Than This” and “White Flag” that are also featured in this project, all these tracks showcase how Alex expertly navigates his wonders using his musicality.
Here’s a take: Alex Runo deserves to be known for his talent as an artist all around the globe. With his long list of achievements and discography, I’m sure enough that this take is never far from reality. “Living & Breathing” is solid proof of the quality of sound that this artist can produce, and his ability to flawlessly move between genres makes it clear that he is an artist to watch out for. This is an EP that you would definitely enjoy – it is well-written and well-produced, and all the tracks featured sound great! So, follow Alex Runo now, and don’t miss out on his latest releases and gigs! Stream Living and Breathing now, and enjoy this absolutely great-sounding EP offered to you!
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About the Author
Born and raised in one of the 7000-ish islands in the Philippines, a self-proclaimed professional fangirl, with a degree in Biology. She probably annoy the people around her so much for not speaking and speaking too much. A frustrated writer, yes!
