Watch: King avriel – “Freedom”

Hailing from Los Angeles, King avriel is quietly making a name for herself, throwing her hat in the ring of the stripped back, electro-infused RnB that stormed into public consciousness in 2013 thanks to the likes of Kelela and SZA. Her new cut “Freedom” and accompanying voyeuristic vide – well suited to the dark soulfulness of the track – set her apart from her contemporaries.

The clip casts singer Avriel Epps in the ominous role of a siren possessed, hunched over the body of a balaclava-clad man who lays frozen in her gaze. With only her mouth visible, whispering lyrics from behind her curls, the seductive vocals take precedence, dancing over feather light synths and a throbbing bassline.

Forgoing seductiveness for a total lack of engagement with the viewer, the final product is a disturbing reversal of the usual male/female power dynamic, and a notable relief in the face of the raw sexuality of many female RnB singers (here’s looking at you Beyonce and Rihanna).

Her peers would do well to keep an eye on her; such a strong release is clearly a statement of intent.

Read King avriel’s essay on “Freedom”.