Crossword Genius

Bound to sound like a current variation (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

tied

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'bound' is the definition.
('tie' can be a synonym of 'bind')

'sound like a current variation' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'current' could be 'i' (symbol for electric current) and 'i' is present in the answer.
The remaining letters 'ted' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

'to' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for tied that I've seen before include "Linked; restricted" , "(Of pub) controlled by a brewery" , "Drawn" , "have equal scores" , "Bound; placed equal" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.
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