Photo by Paul Wright.
This review finds me in my natural habitat. It is after 11pm, the wind is picking up a bit outside and as darkness settles I am about to listen to some Canadian blues rock. Somewhere in a parallel universe another me is probably enjoying a cup of tea (extra sugar) and watching a late night movie, but this version is happy enough with The Commoners – who are (of course) heading to the UK for a tour in November 2026 (special guest Spencer McKenzie).
Here is the press release for this single:
“Runnin’ Blind” is the first single taken from the band’s forthcoming third studio album released in 2027.
“Runnin’ Blind” is also the name of The Commoners’ 12-date November UK Tour which features special guest and Gypsy Soul Records labelmate, Spencer Mackenzie. Tickets for the UK concerts are available from Commoners.ca.
“The song symbolizes running full speed down a dark road and trusting you’ll make the turn before it’s too late,” says The Commoners lead guitarist, Ross Hayes Citrullo. “We wanted to capture that high-octane energy where everything feels urgent, loud, and off the rails. The song features blazing guitars and a driving organ to get that authentic retro vibe. It’s a track built to strip gears and rattle some speakers. We’re looking forward to performing the new single and other new songs from the forthcoming album when we tour the UK in November.”
5:40 in the AM
back on feet again
Thirteen hours to Trecco Bay
Kill time with a dull blade
Sell out on the freeway
It’ll pay off someday, that’s what they say
“Musically, we wanted something that carried a lot of swagger and rock and roll grit,” says the Commoners frontman Chris Medhurst about the new single. “Lyrically it confronts that uneasy feeling of moving forward when you can’t see what’s right in front of you. It sets a bold tone for the upcoming album.”
“We wrote ‘Runnin’ Blind’ as a reflection on the last few years we’ve spent living on the road,” adds bassist Ben Spiller. “Touring has a way of throwing you into situations you could never plan for. Sometimes you just must trust your instincts and keep moving. That’s really where the song came from. It’s a lighthearted look at the chaos, misadventures, and unpredictability that come with chasing this dream, but it’s also a love letter to that lifestyle, and a reminder that some of the best stories come from the moments you never saw coming.”
My review:
The track was released on July 24, 2026, so it is available now across all major streaming platforms.
Running to a tidy 3:22, it hits that perfect sweet spot for a single. Runnin’ Blind sweeps you along on a wave of soaring harmonies, crunchy guitar work and a chorus that struts confidently through your senses. There is an infectious energy here from a band having fun that never lets up, driven by a rhythm section that keeps everything moving at full throttle without ever feeling rushed.
It has the feel of a live summer festival anthem, the sort of song that belongs in bright sunshine with a crowd singing back to you. The accompanying video (linked below) captures the band enjoying life on the road, perfectly matching a track that feels like bottled excitement finally being uncorked. This is three minutes of unapologetic blues-rock fun, and radio stations—particularly the breakfast shows—should be all over it.
Sometimes taking a chance on a band pays off. “Runnin’ Blind” is a reminder that straightforward, well-crafted blues rock never really goes out of fashion, and The Commoners have delivered a single that’s every bit as enjoyable as a summer drive with the windows down.
Love what we do? Rock the Joint Magazine is completely free — no paywalls, no ads ruining the read — just passionate music journalism for 1,000+ readers a day. If you enjoy hanging out with us, please consider hitting the “Support Us” button and buying us a coffee on Ko-Fi. Even a small donation genuinely helps keep the magazine running, lets us publish more features, and reminds us that people value independent music writing.
You can stream music from The Commoners here
By Stevie Ritson
Join Rock the Joint Magazine on the road to the best independent music journalism, interviews and reviews. We cover Rock, Country, Jazz, Blues and Christian music. Support us on Ko-Fi (link on each page) to help the magazine grow and value independent journalism.