'Bounds' by Keysuna

Bounds.  It's an incredibly evocative title and theme to explore through music.  

As a concept, the album could be referencing a range of meanings from the varying constructs of our daily lives, routines and responsibilities to the invisible limits that prevent us from venturing beyond what's immediately in front of us.

Throughout the debut album by singer, bassist and producer Keysuna, bounds is a theme tackled with poise and sophistication.  A staggeringly warm and intimate full-length that presents the French artist's distinct stance on contemporary R&B and neo-soul - as an artist who lovingly wears her influences on her sleeve, Keysuna openly expresses affections for the genre's icons like Erykah Badu and Jill Scott while still presenting compelling insight into her own takes and perspectives.

While 'Bounds' may serve as her debut full-length, Keysuna has been ingratiating herself amidst France's thriving landscape for some time now - with songs from the album having been drip-fed as standalone singles previously, Keysuna can also boast a definitively scene-stealing performance alongside French jazz trio, Namas, for their collaborative track, 'Don't Rush'.  Featured as part of Namas' sophomore album release 'Tonight', Keysuna displays the deft versatility through jazz as she does alongside the more hip-hop inspired sonic palettes of Deheb.  The current track, 'Let That S##t Go', from their upcoming joint EP offers up yet another enthralling facet to Keysuna's music that thrives off her charisma and dynamic approach to music-making.

'Bounds' delivers as a fantastic - and somewhat formal - introduction to the artist as a fully-realised ideal.  Across the album's nine tracks, we're treated to songs that address notions of social constructs, intimacy, rejection and honesty.  And 'honesty' does prove to be a key factor throughout 'Bounds' - as much as it proves to be a quality important for our protagonist to identify in others, it's equally important that it be a quality that she exudes in her own writing which she does to notable effect.  

Backed by sublime vocals, lush production and intimate soundscapes, 'Bounds' ingeniously finds freedom through its vulnerabilities and sincerity.  A brilliantly accomplished project from start to finish, Keysuna's remarkable debut offers listeners the chance to consider the theme within their contexts - which bounds are best left behind and which have we imposed upon ourselves?