Runda Examines Soul, Desire, and Ambition in a 26-Minute Interrogation –

With a debut album set in motion by a series of events, including lead singles released since October 2024, Afro-fusion artist Runda continues to deliver a deliberate and holistic experience through many channels, but most powerfully through the lens of his music. This is evident from the very first single off the project, “Feel Good”, a melancholic song where Runda documents personal struggles that not only led to a short hiatus from making music but also inspired the record itself, as revealed in a one-on-one interview with Afromixx.

On his curiously brief debut album ‘Behind Closed Doors’, clocking in at 26 minutes, Runda comfortably struts familiar romance narratives delivered in heart-pinching, feelings-rousing melodies. Yet, the album’s most striking moments are captured in up-close and personal moments of vulnerability and hope. On tracks like these, Runda’s melodies are elevated by his experiences, mirrored back to listeners in ways that demand their full attention—and it’s on this note that Runda opens his debut album.

Runda’s 11-track project grabs attention right from the cover art: duplicates of the artist in a bleak, interrogation-style room, sitting across from each other. Their appearance symbolises the album’s central themes—soul-searching and hedonism.

‘Behind Closed Doors’ opens with “Sometimes”, a reflective choral harmony that provides a vibrant texture Runda adapts his storytelling to, transporting listeners to a time before the music and fame—a grass-to-grace tale, a story of hope with hints of gratitude. All of this unfolds over the emotive yet minimal production of Graham BMG, delicately mixed and mastered by Swaps. These emotions carry into Runda’s third and final lead single, “Child Of God”, a song about faith, not from the standpoint of a pastor’s son, but through the lens of a deeply personal relationship with God. He playfully recounts his blessings in the hook: “All the blessings put am for my body, Aston Martin, Richard Mille, Wire Daddy, Wire Mummy, For my body oh.” The production on “Child Of God” is pacer and groovier—typical of songs of gratitude in this part of the world. Fiokee’s delicious guitar riffs sync brilliantly with Krizbeatz’s dance-inducing production, evoking the joy of thanksgiving in a church-like setting.

As the project moves into the third track, Runda slips into a more familiar zone, consumed with lust more than love on the sultry “Tonight”. He’s sexually explicit and forthright about what he desires from his muse—a desire that appears mutual. Runda’s choice of production remains impressive, with guitars and melodies that convey longing alongside his lyrics. ‘Behind Closed Doors’ sees Runda mostly on an Afro-pop pedestal, even within multiple Afro-R&B-rich contexts, which makes sense, as this is the foundation of his sound. The fourth track, “Roma”, embodies this clearly. Produced by Spellz, the upbeat, party-ready record is a dedication to his supporters. On the head-nodding, sensual “Majo”, Runda sticks to what feels familiar, eulogising his musicality and the captivating movement of his muse. The shakes and percussions suggest exactly what he implies: a dance ritual leading to intimacy.

Midway through the offering, Runda pauses from the upbeat energy and leans into a slower, passionate Afro-R&B record, “Hold Me Down”—the album’s second lead single, featuring skilled songwriter and artist Peruzzi. “Hold Me Down” is an emotive song about devotion and love on the brink of collapse. While both artists complement one another, Peruzzi’s delivery is the icing on the cake, belting out a verse that wraps around the production, forming a perfect climax as his melodies ride the swirling pulse of an organ. The Caribbean-esque delivery on “Hypnotize” adds personality and range to the otherwise safe, non-experimental template of the project. Runda gets sensual yet again on this track, and by now it’s clear that as much as music is his means of escape, so is his idea of intimacy. Despite the effort evident in the production, a majority of the 11-track album carries similar messages, offering little new depth to the overall concept, implying, perhaps, that this is all there is behind Runda’s closed doors.

“My G$RL”, the ninth track produced by Clemzy, stands out as an Afrobeats-Amapiano love song written to Runda’s muse. A love letter of unconditional devotion, it’s delivered with a unique touch that makes it an instant standout on the project.

‘Behind Closed Doors’ returns to its sombre opening tone with “Feel Good”, the aforementioned Amapiano-inflected track where Runda channels personal vulnerability over upbeat instrumentation. The outro, “SenzZ”, finds Runda in a more assured headspace—both personally and career-wise. With little to no agitation, he croons smoothly over the mid-tempo Fizzybeat-helmed production, delivering a befitting final act to this 26-minute Afro-pop offering.