With 12 Grammys on her mantel, a true testament to the fact that real music still gets recognition, Alicia Keys returns with ‘The Element of Freedom’.
For Keys, the most important task is not only producing quality music, but also demonstrating a positive transition. “[Life] changes aren't always comfortable,” she says. “But it's like turning into a butterfly: You've got to break out of the cocoon. I'm definitely at least halfway out of the cocoon.”
Track-by-Track Analysis:
“Love Is Blind”: An ear-catching opener, where she details her family, friends and people looking from the outside not seeing the beauty that she views within her current relationship. With distinctive vocals and a laidback vibe, she handles the Jeff Bhasker-produced cut nicely, which is widely speculated to be a characterization of her controversial romance with producer Swizz Beatz.
“Doesn’t Mean Anything”: Equipped with beautiful piano melodies and deep lyrics, the cut recalls the musicality of “No One” and lyrical direction of “If I Ain’t Got You”, which each collected her Grammys. Nothing bad to say, but it can definitely leave you with the feeling that Keys is playing it a little too safe.
“Try Sleeping With A Broken Heart”:
Serving up a retro vibe, as well as, a new found experimentation with slight hip-hop elements, the stellar cut sees the multi-talented songstress walking through the doors of sheer brilliance and dishing up one of her best singles in years.
Serving up a retro vibe, as well as, a new found experimentation with slight hip-hop elements, the stellar cut sees the multi-talented songstress walking through the doors of sheer brilliance and dishing up one of her best singles in years.
“Wait Til You See My Smile”:
Acknowledging that nothing can keep her down, Keys once again reaches the realms of inspiring on the self empowering cut. The production, as it is with the bulk of the album’s Jeff Bhasker-produced offerings, plays a crucial role in leading it to solid ground, yet here it fails to reach the essence of past anthems like “Superwoman”.
Acknowledging that nothing can keep her down, Keys once again reaches the realms of inspiring on the self empowering cut. The production, as it is with the bulk of the album’s Jeff Bhasker-produced offerings, plays a crucial role in leading it to solid ground, yet here it fails to reach the essence of past anthems like “Superwoman”.
“That’s How Strong My Love Is”:
Led by a beautiful piano intro, she compares her love to the strength of an earthquake, and that despite criticism; she has your back throughout the storm. Her delivery shows emotive force and although it feels like she's recalling “Love Is Blind”, you still can’t help being slightly intrigued as it plays out.
Led by a beautiful piano intro, she compares her love to the strength of an earthquake, and that despite criticism; she has your back throughout the storm. Her delivery shows emotive force and although it feels like she's recalling “Love Is Blind”, you still can’t help being slightly intrigued as it plays out.
“Un-thinkable (I’m Ready)”: With Drake on background vocals, she takes a leap and admits her feelings, and being ready to finally give things a try. It has dramatic range, which is played upon readily by her the use of her vocals and the instrumentation that surrounds her. To put it simply, this one is simply superb.
“Love Is My Disease”:
Foraying into a very slight Reggae essence, the track documents the end of a relationship feeling like a destructive sickness that affects everything that surrounds you. Produced with Toby Gad, who crafted Fergie’s biggest solo hit “Big Girls Don’t Cry”, it flows really nice and takes you on a journey with its feel and vibe.
Foraying into a very slight Reggae essence, the track documents the end of a relationship feeling like a destructive sickness that affects everything that surrounds you. Produced with Toby Gad, who crafted Fergie’s biggest solo hit “Big Girls Don’t Cry”, it flows really nice and takes you on a journey with its feel and vibe.
“Like the Sea”: Comparing love to the sea, she metaphorically compares the ups and downs of relationships to the cycle of the water. “Love is like the sea, first you’re floating high, then it takes you under”, she sings on the cut, which is carefully mapped out through its word play.
“Put It In A Love Song”:
Teaming up with Beyonce, to deliver a nontraditional bouncy, drum-hitting cut that packs a punch on the fronts of sass and attitude. This type of cut is definitely more in Knowles lane, but one has note that Keys rides the beat and keep up without feeling conformed or like she’s trying too hard. A shining winner that simply has to be a single at some point throughout the album’s run.
Teaming up with Beyonce, to deliver a nontraditional bouncy, drum-hitting cut that packs a punch on the fronts of sass and attitude. This type of cut is definitely more in Knowles lane, but one has note that Keys rides the beat and keep up without feeling conformed or like she’s trying too hard. A shining winner that simply has to be a single at some point throughout the album’s run.
“This Bed”: With a 80s vibe in tow and the demonstration of her Prince singing voice, she recalls the feeling of old school girl groups on the funky cut, which talks about lacking arms of solace in her bedroom. Totally different from any song she has ever tackled and that alone, wins her major points.
“Distance and Time”:
Dedicated to those experiencing long distance relationships, the piano-laced ballad is simply stunning in all areas. The melodies are delicate, yet soaring, while the lyrics are catapulted by her emotional delivery.
Dedicated to those experiencing long distance relationships, the piano-laced ballad is simply stunning in all areas. The melodies are delicate, yet soaring, while the lyrics are catapulted by her emotional delivery.
“How It Feels To Fly”: Painting a vivid picture of flying above the world with the help of a choir, it has a gospel feel and serves as another inspiring moment. Unlike “Wait Til You See My Smile”, this one is equipped with full wings and actually soars well beyond the realms.
“Empire State of Mind, Part 2 (Broken Down)”:
As the sequel to her mega-collaboration with Jay-Z, this one takes a laidback route that relies more on melodies and vocals than hype. Each records (the original and the sequel) are better than the other in different areas, but the original is undoubtedly the most infectious of the two.
As the sequel to her mega-collaboration with Jay-Z, this one takes a laidback route that relies more on melodies and vocals than hype. Each records (the original and the sequel) are better than the other in different areas, but the original is undoubtedly the most infectious of the two.
Final Verdict:
Alicia Keys has clearly known her niche since the release of her debut album ‘Songs in A Minor’, and a couple of the great things about her is that her talent is indisputable and in less than a decade, she has already created a classic album and songs that will easily transcend time.
Keys experiments here and there, and often makes it an event with each attempt, but for the most part, she opts to play it relatively safe and refuses to push past her bounds as an artist, which is truly ashame since she actually has a cushion of talent to fall back on. Although it fails to reach the greatness of its predecessor ‘As I Am’, ‘Freedom’ still soars and Keys continues to deliver quality (minus variety).
4 out of 5
Celebrity Bug’s Key Tracks:
“Love Is Blind”, “Try Sleeping With A Broken Heart”, “Un-thinkable (I’m Ready)”, “Put It In A Love Song”, “This Bed”, “Distance & Time” & “How It Feels to Fly”.
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