Los Angeles–based multi-instrumentalist and creative force Noah Weinman—better known as Runnner—makes a striking return to the indie rock universe with his May 2025 single, “Chamomile.” Departing from the lo-fi, home-recorded textures of his earlier work, this track offers a crisper, more vibrant production that maps out a personal journey toward self-assurance.
🎶 Why It Resonates
Sonic Evolution:
“Chamomile” carries the expansive feel of 2000s indie rock. Punchy drums and gleaming guitars inject a high-definition energy, while still preserving the warm, intimate storytelling style that defines Runnner.
Emotional Depth:
Weinman reveals he originally wrote the song back in 2017, describing it as a reflection on “how silly it is to assign major meaning to minor things.” The lyric “re-recording a thousand times” isn’t just poetic—it’s literal: the track has lived many lives in his studio before arriving in its final form.
Structure:
Clocking in at 3 minutes and 40 seconds, “Chamomile” moves with an upbeat pace at 144 BPM. Set in F♯ Major, the song emits an energetic, optimistic tone that underlines its theme of subtle self-growth.
🎧 Musical Texture
The song’s lush instrumental arrangement includes:
- Noah Weinman – guitar, vocals
- Ellington Peet – drums
- Edie Vogel – bass
- Nate Schwartz – guitar
- Tommy DeBourbon – pedal steel
- Taylor Blake – saxophone
This diverse ensemble brings a widescreen sensibility to the track, allowing it to breathe freely within the indie rock framework while adding cinematic dimension.
🔍 A Turning Point in Context
Into 2025 with Clarity:
Following his experimental 2024 albums Starsdust (ambient) and Dust 2 (performance-driven), Chamomile signals a return to clarity and vitality in Weinman’s sound.
New Words, New Tones:
While his earlier recordings were drenched in bedroom warmth, Chamomile reintroduces that intimacy through the sharp lens of studio production—marking a new chapter in Runnner’s artistic evolution.
🎤 Runnner's Reinvention
Weinman’s transition from homespun charm to this bold, real-time vibrancy reflects a deeper musical self-confidence. Chamomile is not just a song—it’s a hard-earned statement, polished through persistence and layered with emotional clarity.
🎧 Final Thoughts
“Chamomile” is an anti-manifesto about finding profound change in life’s tiniest moments. Without losing touch with his lo-fi roots, Runnner wraps this newfound clarity in sound that invites listeners to step out of their shells, gently but bravely. One of 2025’s most quietly powerful indie rock offerings.
