Katie Runnels latest track “Imperfect Beauty,” a song that feels less like a comeback and more like a quiet revolution. Released independently in April, the single is the emotional and sonic heart of a larger vision: an empowerment movement that reframes how we see ourselves, especially in our most unfiltered moments.

Known for her folk-rock debut Reality Cloud, Katie Runnels has stepped into new territory with this record. “Imperfect Beauty” trades acoustic warmth for ambient shimmer, but it never loses her essential voice, both in tone and intention. There’s an honesty in the track’s textures and vocal delivery that makes the message land with more than lyrical impact. This is music that holds space.

Her new sound aligns with a broader shift in her life and work. After years spent as an educator and advocate, Runnels brings the same conviction and empathy into her artistic rebirth. The “Imperfect Beauty” brand is not just an offshoot of the music, it is an ecosystem. It includes mental health resources, educational tools, and body positivity messaging, all driven by Runnels’ commitment to visibility and emotional truth.

Collaborating with Nic Leo at Le Fay Studios in Sedona helped unlock a more expansive direction, drawing inspiration from the likes of Björk and embracing an ethereal sensibility. But this evolution is rooted in hard-earned clarity. Katie Runnels isn’t chasing reinvention. She is building a more authentic reflection of where she’s been and what she now believes: that imperfection is not something to fix, but something to honor.

Runnels’ voice as a songwriter, educator, and advocate converges in this moment. Whether you come to her for the music, the message, or the movement, what you’ll find is an artist who believes that connection starts where perfection ends.