By Audrey Smoak

Back on the scene since the debut of “Love Me Low,” Michigan native, Ai Bendr, shares her latest track, “Runaway.” This drum led single is pulled by a ukulele, carrying Ai’s empowering vocals from start to finish. This 17 year old stops at nothing to have her message heard, boasting 56k monthly listeners on Spotify since her debut in June. The artist’s sound reflects her mission in helping others find a sense of happiness. Alongside Ai’s signature use of soft electric chords, her tone resides in an elegant clash of informal pop and R&B. It’s no surprise the young creative can write, as her lyrics are a revolving love letter from “Love Me Low” to this cool, melodic hit. Even in her feature “3am” with Justinbroski, her tones are very consistent with her own established vibe. 

Taking a deeper look at the lyrics behind “Runaway” sparks the question: ”what’s the story behind this new track?” The song addresses the classical tropes of forbidden love, from running away from social or familial responsibility to the knowledge that the tenderness and intimacy of the relationship is wrong yet enjoying the thrill in the danger. In this sense, it doesn’t really matter if the song comes from a personal story in Ai’s life; the song’s success comes from the way in which she brings to life the concept of forbidden love. I would deem the song successful in that field considering how impossible it is to not get lost in a trail of ‘what ifs’ while listening to Ai’s easygoing, love-seeking new single.