Alicia Keys’ newest album is exactly what I needed this month.
The self-titled album, “ALICIA,” was released Sept. 18. The album was originally planned to debut in March, but, like so many music releases, was delayed by COVID-19. I’m sure I would have enjoyed the album six months ago too, but I truly think it’s perfect for this very moment.
“ALICIA” is Keys’ seventh album, and she described it in a tweet as “genre-less.” However, if you google the album, you’ll find it’s listed as neo soul and R&B. The more I write these music reviews and research albums, I find the music of many Black artists is thrown in the ‘R&B’ bucket, even if it sounds like regular pop. I’m definitely not the first person to realize this, but I think it’s interesting to consider for this album in particular. Keys’ decision to label it as genre-less takes the spotlight away from these limiting categories. Instead, attention is placed on the message of the lyrics and the overall mood and tone of the album.
The common element the songs share is the sheer authenticity they reflect. As the earth seems to rotate faster each day and heavy news is piled on us to our breaking points, the tracks slow us down and remind us to breathe. They’re intentional and offer healing in a time of need.
Keys opens the album with “Truth Without Love,” which is about emptiness in relationships when love is not at their foundation. She sings, “truth without love is just a lie.” Her clever analysis is swiftly sung over dreamy sustained chords. From the first song, I get the sense Keys is very grounded, both emotionally and vocally.
The catchiest song on the album is “Wasted Energy,” where Keys roasts an ex-boyfriend for broken promises and wasting her time. While “Wasted Energy” is more sassy, “Gramercy Park” offers a more grounded perspective about the situation. She sings about how she’s tried so hard to be what her partner wants her to be, she hasn’t really been herself. She realizes the relationship wasn’t healthy for either of them and comes to the conclusion that she has lost sight of herself completely.
On the flip side, Keys reclaims her wasted time and energy in “Me x 7.” She admits, “I care too much about you / More than myself sometimes.” She then repeats the word “me” seven times and demands she has to focus on herself. There’s a difference between being selfish and taking time to focus on your mental health, and I appreciate how Keys emphasizes the importance of well-being in this album.
Another notable song is “Perfect Way to Die,” a heartbreaking, and unfortunately not uncommon, story told from the perspective of a mother grieving her Black son shot by the police, and protesters marching to demand justice. Telling the story from the mother’s perspective of an event like this evokes empathy from the listener and may cause some to view racial oppression and police brutality through a more human lens, rather than the political lens so many tend to see it through. This song is somber but needed, and Keys recognized her platform as a way to advocate for social justice in a beautiful way.
Co-written by Ed Sheeran, “Underdog” recognizes the hard work of those who are breaking the mold and chasing their dreams. Keys praises not only teachers and student doctors, but also the “hustlers trading at the bus stop / single mothers waiting on a check to come.”
The chorus dedicates the song to the underdog and urges them to “rise up.” It’s always nice to be told you’re appreciated, and I love how Keys is intentional in making everyone feel included and worthy of recognition. You don’t have to be exceptional or successful to deserve love and comfort.
On a similar note, “Good Job” is a warm hug to the listener’s ear, closing the album with a feel-good, hopeful ballad. This song is once again dedicated to everyday people, “the mothers, the fathers / the teachers that reach us / strangers to friends.” Keys paints these everyday people as heroes in disguise, calling them the “engine that makes all things go” and “a light in the darkness.”
Perhaps the most moving moment of the album is the chorus that repeats the phrases, “You’re doing a good job” and “Know that you matter.” This song moved me to tears when I first heard it a few weeks ago, and still brings me comfort weeks later. If you’re having a tough time (like anyone would who is in college without breaks in the middle of a pandemic), no matter how you’re feeling today, I highly recommend giving this song a listen.
Overall, “ALICIA” is a feel-good and thoughtful masterpiece. You can find something relatable in just about every song. Extremely poignant during this pandemic, the music is comforting and makes you feel like everything is going to be OK.
You write like me! Wow!