Adrienne Leska is a singer-songwriter from Cleveland, Ohio, and the first thing that strikes me about her is her voice. It is bright and colourful and has the ability to envelop a song as a thin mist does. The song “Runaway” allows her voice all the space it could desire. It’s a light pop ballad and begins on a quiet note. Gentle keyboard playing opens it and then Adrienne enters on top of that. At this stage the entire arrangement consists of just a few soft notes and one singer, so each phrase gets its turn.

She sings with a clear and bright voice, and it is this contrast between her bright voice and the slow, sad atmosphere surrounding her that caught my attention. The song then begins to widen. The melody unfolds, the drums come in, and at that moment a steady pulse appears beneath all the elements. The speed remains slow throughout, a feature I appreciate since the song develops by becoming more rich in texture rather than by increasing in tempo.

What I respect most is the consistency of the mood. The song is both thoughtful and full of wistfulness right from the first note until the very end, and the more intense sections develop out of that same emotion. The chorus has a stronger impact since the song had previously been quietly reflecting on its own feelings.

Many ballads try to achieve a grand conclusion and in doing so lose their atmosphere; this one, on the other hand, manages to retain its atmosphere while also attaining a big finish. There is also the haze; Adrienne’s voice produces a foggy, dreamy atmosphere and has a hypnotising effect on you. The song progresses at its own slow pace, and eventually you no longer want it to speed up. You end up getting used to it and let it take you.

If you’re a fan of gentle pop ballads, soft keyboards and a singer who is able to turn a quiet moment into a full atmosphere, then ‘Runaway’ is a song easy to recommend. Adrienne Leska has a voice that is worth listening to, and this track is a pleasant way to get to know it.