Risa Kumon – Free (2022)
If you are looking for the newest sultry addition to your favourite RnB playlist, Risa Kumon has just what you need. Merging her silky vocals with the delicate tones of an electronic piano, she slides listeners into the depths of tone that is ‘Free’. A captivating single, it captures the soulful nature of her vocals, while impressing with its sophisticated and polished arrangement.
With a touch of retro soul and RnB mixed with a few jazzy vibes, Kumon draws you into the undeniable atmosphere of the track. While Kumon taps into a range of genres and styles, she specialises in RnB, after being drawn to it while watching Sister Act 2 as a child. Blending this with the jazz music her father would play, she created her own fusion sound that speaks to the power of her musicality.
There is a sweeping build to the opening of ‘Free’ that really sets the atmosphere of the track. The melody really showcases the versatility of the electronic piano as higher tones shimmer through the top of the melody. These tones create a twinkle of stars reaching out toward the horizon on a clear night. In the lower levels of the melody is a sultry swirl of richer tones that settle on your skin like the warm tones of the night air. This all changes as the drums and horns make their way into the track. At this point, the melody takes a really seductive turn that is a pleasure to listen to. The horns push against your ears before taking your hand, twirling you and leading you into the slow dance of the track. Through all of this, that clear-skied night feeling of the opening remains, bringing with it a really relaxed and rather freeing vibe. In the later moments of the single, the piano takes on a jazzy vibe that inches toward improv which is a great addition.
As the melody builds the atmosphere of the single, it is Kumon’s vocals that bring the gentle light. Her voice enters with a silky slide that instantly captures your attention and curls around your senses. It is a powerful entry that sparkles with the higher tones of the melody, before slipping into soulful seduction. As she hooks you to her performance, the emotions of the lyrics sink into your chest and bring a sense of freedom. There is the lightest touch of airiness to her performance that gently drifts over the RnB movement of the music. As the single progresses, we are treated to the delightful merger of soul and RnB that Kumon does so well.
Risa Kumon brings a captivating mixture of RnB and soul to our ears in the masterful ‘Free’ which reaches out toward the horizon, while settling around you with a chilled vibe. The melody is a rich layering of melodic elements that follows the powerful use of an electronic piano. Kumon’s vocals sparkle through the top layers of the single with a touch of airiness adding to the soulful flows.
Find out more about Risa Kumon on her website, Facebook, Instagram and Spotify.
