Mature Alicia Keys Emancipates Herself With 'Girl On Fire'

After a three-year hiatus from her last album, getting hitched with producer Swizz Beats and having a son, Alicia Keys returns to grace us with her soulful piano-laced talents in Girl On Fire. Slightly raspier, and infinitely more mature, we find Keys emancipating herself with a newfound identity gathering a myriad of both veteran and younger producers throughout. Girl On Fire is both an intimate self-reflection and an affirmation of emotional freedom. Below, is a track-by-track review:

The “De Novo Adagio” orchestrated intro immediately shows Keys at her best, tip-toeing her way through a no-fuss dreamscape melody that is soothing and confident. She can literally release an album with simply piano pieces and it would be a success.

In the piano guided “Brand New Me” she makes a statement early on and proclaims her growth through lyrics such as, “Don’t be mad, it’s just a brand new kinda me / It ain’t bad, I found a brand new kinda free.” Bold and direct.

The heavily layered “When It’s All Over” finds Keys experimenting her cathartic musicality throughout the differing sounds that at times feels like a live jam session more than an album track. The dainty sequence included in the end is her son Egypt repeating songstress’ words.

“Listen To Your Heart,” produced in collaboration with Rodney Jerkins has an old-school vibe reminiscent of Keys’ earlier work, nothing too special here.

The thundering “New Day,” (and possibly the track with the most promise based on star power) is a joint collaboration from hubby Swizz and Dr. Dre. Hard-hitting with heavy drum-laced beats keep the song upbeat and although Keys seems somewhat out of her element at times, she does an admirable job bringing it all together. The ending sounds like a chopped blend, and some might still have expected a bit more.

Halfway through the album we get to the Nicki Minaj-assisted title track “Girl On Fire.” Heavy drums, and Nicki’s trademarked banter, it’s still Keys’ show here as she displays her empowerment across elongated soulful harmonies.

“Fire We Make” featuring the impeccable Maxwell is without a doubt the standout track in the album. Complimenting each other’s voices with resounding fluidity and soul-laced innuendo, this love-making track brings forth Keys’ sexuality to the forefront and is perfectly matched with Maxwell’s intoxicating falsetto. Seductively jazzy trumpets caress the singer’s vocals and rhythmic clapping keeps the track in motion, and even Gary Clark Jr’s guitar can’t resist the unison in this incendiary track. Neo-soul at its finest.

The track “Tears Always Win” (co-written by Bruno Mars) is a throwback rendition to the lovelorn sounds of the 70s. Organs blaze, backup vocals harmonize and Keys’ keystrokes fight back and push heartbreak in its place in this bold empowering tune.

“Not Even The King” is a heartfelt song that is reminiscent of Keys’ “If I Ain’t Got You” as she goes through the different reasons money or power can never match the power of love. Sporadic “aww’s” might be heard in the background, a solid song.

The Babyface co-written and produced “That’s When I Knew” is a closely-knit guitar ballad declaration of those ethereal moments when love indeed has taken place. Our songstress digs vocally deep here, especially in the end, which makes it a notable track.

The reggae flavored “Limitedless,” although highly experimental, doesn’t quite work here as Keys delves into a kaleidoscopic Caribbean track that never really goes anywhere. And yes, she made up that title.

Co-written by R&B sensation Frank Ocean, “One Thing” explores the mourning of a relationship from a lover that has passed and Keys does well delivering her subtle verses. “Too good to finish life here with me… / I couldn’t get you to stay… / One thing that was made for us / I take that one thing over anybody.” She ends strong with a heartfelt and somber falsetto.

The heartbreak ensues for the final track in the melancholic “101” where Keys points out the hundred different burns from an ex until her turn arises, singing, “That’s me… 101” Be sure to listen to the very end as Keys comes back knocking the door off the hinges with a powerful drum-laced “Hallelujah” sequence reclaiming her prowess.

Girl On Fire requires a second or third listen before you get a sense of how truly intimate the album is. Filled with tracks that are triumphant or experimental, pay homage to the past or drenched in penumbral sentiments she says it best herself, “I don’t need your opinion / I’m not waiting for your Ok / I’ll never be perfect / But at least now I’m brave.” Indeed.

Highlights:

— “Fire We Make”

— “Brand New Me”

— “One Thing”

— “Girl On Fire”

Not so much:

— “Limitedless”

— “Listen To Your Heart”

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