Alicia Keys: The Element of Freedom

Fresh off a 2 year hiatus, R&B sensation Alicia Keys burst back on to the scene with a feature on one of the most popular songs of the year, Jay-Z’s “Empire State Of Mind”. Back in the relevant world of music, Alicia comes out with her full length LP, The Element of Freedom. 14 tracks in length, Keys puts out a solid album; it has what you would expect an Alicia Keys album to possess, as well as a handful of songs that have her stepping out of her lane a bit. But don’t be alarmed, it’s still Alicia and the phenomenal singer still displays her strengths on the album which produces a good record.

The first single off the album, “Doesn’t Mean Anything” is something that every Alicia Keys fan can appreciate. It’s traditional Alicia – behind the piano with fantastic singing, pouring out her heart. The instrumental is very simple, stripped down to the bare minimums as the singer’s voice is what really makes the record: “All at once/ I had it all/ But I doesn’t mean anything/ now that you’re gone.” “Love Is My Disease” is also a great track. The quick hitting snares and guitar stings are overpowered by Alicia’s strong voice, almost tearing through the beat. The pain and sincerity are evident in her voice: “Here’s what I’m going through when you’re gone/ some serious symptoms of withdrawal/ so sick of turning in my bed/ waking up drenched in a cold sweat/lying here lonely for you/what am I supposed to do.” “How It Feels To Fly” is a very uplifting song, and it also showcases Alicia’s great voice and melody. The track has the listener in the clouds; when the backup vocals and chorus kick in, it overwhelms you with a church-gospel feeling that drives itself into your core and really hits home. The album ends on a high note with “Empire State of Mind (Part II).” Equipped with probably the most prominent and popular hook of 2009, “In New York/ Concrete jungle where dreams are made of…”, Ms. Keys puts a R&B spin on the hit record, with the piano playing in the background and a gentle bass line. And just when you start to think the song is a little too slow, the drums and boom-bap kick in at the perfect time to close out the LP.

The shining moment of the album comes in the outstanding, “Un-Thinkable (I’m Ready).” The song features Drake, who sings back-up vocals and it adds a great element to the song. It is also co-written by Drake and produced by his go to beatmaker, Noah “40″ Shebib. The song deals with cheating and how great it would feel, no matter what the repercussions would be: “I was wondering maybe/ Could I make you a baby/ If we do the unthinkable/ Would it make us look crazy/ Or would it be so beautiful, either way I’m sayin’/ If you ask me I’m ready/ If you ask me I’m ready.” Many feel the song was written about the ordeal with producer Swizz Beats, but even if that whole situation was not brought to light, this would still be a fantastic song. Not a snare, not a string, not a lyric is out of place in this marvelous track.

The album has a very strong core but this hurts it at times. “Wait ‘Til You See My Smile” and “That’s How Strong My Love Is” are two good songs; however, both have very similar piano keys and melodies that parallel each other at times and the songs come subsequently to each other, one after the other. It has you going, “Didn’t I just hear this song?” The album can get bland at times if you are not a hardcore R&B fan. “Put It In a Love Song” is the fantasy singer matchup with Alicia Keys pairing up with Beyonce. Produced by Swizz Beats, the track has the “Single Ladies” feel with the claps in the beat and the same melody in the chorus. It’s not a bad song but some may question if this is really Alicia’s forte. While it doesn’t stick out like a sore thumb, it does upset the flow of the album a bit.

The Element of Freedom has Alicia “going back to her roots”, as it has more of a The Diary Of Alicia Keys aura to it, where it seemed her emotion and voice were more genuine, as opposed to her previous project As I Am. Don’t be mislead, As I Am was a good album and had its moments, but the overall feeling and gravity of the record as a whole does not stack up to Diary. Alicia finds herself getting back to that feeling in The Element Of Freedom. “Un-Thinkable” can easily be compared to the classic “You Don’t Know My Name” off of Alicia’s Diary album. The emotion, the production, the lyrics all are amazing in both songs and create a sense of desperation and yearning, something that cannot be found on As I Am.

In her fourth studio album, Alicia Keys puts out a solid, cohesive project. It will certainly give her fans their fix. The album is filled with good songs, but not great songs and thus, making this a good but not great album. This is a record you should pick up, even if you are just a casual R&B listener. The name Alicia Keys should be evidence of quality music every time.

8.0/10

Un-thinkable (I’m Ready)

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Doesn’t Mean Anything

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How It Feels To Fly

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