In December of 2009, Alicia Keys released her 4th studio album, “The Element of Freedom.” Though the album is a departure from the 70’s soul sound, her new contemporary sound really paid off. With the help of some great artists and producers (Beyoncé, Drake, Swizz Beatz), Alicia did the “Un-Thinkable,” molding her sound into a more contemporary R&B feel.
In Alicia’s past albums, there has been a heavy mixture of 70’s soul infused into her music. Songs like: You Don’t Know My Name, Karma, If I Ain’t Got You, Fallin’, How Come U Don’t Call Me, have a very soulful sound. In 2007, she released “As I Am” and started the transition into a more contemporary sound. The album was a mixture of both old and new.
The Element of Freedom does not have that 70’s vintage soul sound at all. In fact, the album sounds as if it should have been released in the late 80’s early 90’s. In Phil Collins’ hit song, “In the Air Tonight” the drums play a major part in the song. At one point, the drums come in loudly to express/add to the pain in Collins’ voice. Wait Til I See You Smile, contains the same type of build up in the track. I immediately thought of the Phil Collins’ song when hearing the album.
Trying to Sleep With A Broken Heart has the word “Hit” all over it. By far the best song on the record, Alicia recently told the British newspaper The Sun, “I just love that song. I’m excited about that song as I just love the way it’s pushing things forward. It’s a great representation of where I am now. I can play it with tons of music behind me or I can play it with just the piano. Either way it touches, you get it. I’m so very excited by that record.”
Alicia has also matured as a singer/songwriter. Songs like “The Un-Thinkable” and “Distance & Time” show how Alicia has matured in her writing and sound. These songs are a strong move away from the playful teen pop songs like “You Don’t Know My Name” and “How Come U Don’t Call Me.” So now that we know her name, Alicia is ready to do the Un-Thinkable.
Moving forward is a great way to say how Alicia’s music has evolved. As Alicia’s music evolves, this may be an album we look back on and see the complete transformation from R&B soul singer to a “Pop” icon. The Element of Freedom is an album that will appeal to most listeners. I highly reccomend this album to any music fan, the production and the songwriting is top-notch. If this album is a sign of things to come from Alicia then I’m Ready.
Buy the album at our record store on Amazon
Other pages for you:
- The Enter the Shell Show – The Lifter and O!mega Show
- Album Review – Teflon Don by Rick Ross
- Artist of the Week – Snoop Dogg
- Free Music Download – “Bright Eyes” by Vonnegutt
- Covers Revue – Limbeck covers Backstreet Boys
Hey Alicia I think that you are so fine and that we belong together where NO ONE can stop us baby