Here (Alicia Keys album)
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Here is the sixth studio album by American singer and songwriter Alicia Keys. It was released on November 4, 2016, by RCA Records. The first single from the standard edition, "Blended Family (What You Do for Love)", was released on October 7, 2016. "In Common" and "Hallelujah" were featured on the deluxe edition of the album.[1][2][3][4][5][6]
Background
Keys told Humanity magazine that "the music for this album was created so fast—the fastest I've ever created music before. It was like raining down every night, like storms of music was just coming out. It was crazy because I never experienced creating like that; I came in already knowing what I wanted to start to talk about. I knew the topics that I wanted to address and I knew who I wanted to assemble to help me create this very powerful sonic and lyrical journey. So everything I did was with so much intention that when the music began it made sense that it just came so fast. We did probably 30 songs in like 10 days."[7][8]
Here is Keys' first album in four years, following Girl on Fire (2012). Keys said that she was not planning a hiatus, but after she finished recording material for the album, she found out she was pregnant which "put a different time spin on things."[7] Her son Genesis was born in December 2014.[9]
Critical reception
Aggregate scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
AnyDecentMusic? | 7.3/10[10] |
Metacritic | 76/100[11] |
Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Entertainment Weekly | B+[13] |
Consequence of Sound | B–[14] |
The Guardian | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
The Independent | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
NME | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Pitchfork | 6.5/10[18] |
Rolling Stone | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Slant Magazine | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Vice | A–[21] |
Here received generally positive reviews from critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream publications, the album received an average score of 76, based on 14 reviews.[11] Robert Christgau hailed it as Keys' best record since 2001's Songs in A Minor and credited Swizz Beats for defining "the funk her adventures in gospel grit demand, evoking Memphis thump while remaining so hip-hop that the samples stay in Nas-Wu-Tribe territory".[21] The Wall Street Journal's Jim Fusilli notes that the album "at its highest peaks is a powerful work of contemporary pop by an already established musician who is still determined to grow."[22] Entertainment Weekly writer Nolan Feeney felt that "the combination of her subject matter and her urgent delivery makes Here [Keys's] most vital release in years — and a welcome addition to 2016’s rich canon of albums from Beyoncé, Solange, Frank Ocean, Common, and Dev Hynes that address black life in America.[13] Keith Harris, writing for Rolling Stone, remarked that "Keys' eighth album downplays her classical training in favor of a grittier R&B edge." He described Here as "the sounds New Yorkers overhear blasting from passing cars and seeping from pedestrian earbuds, reimagined as a hectic but coherent symphony."[19] Nick Levine from NME found that "we’ve known since she debuted with "Fallin'" in 2001 that Alicia Keys can write songs that sound anthemic. But with Here, it feels as though she’s dug deep to produce a set of genuine, heartfelt and relevant anthems.[17] Ludovic Hunter-Tilney wrote for Financial Times that Here was animated by "politically active music" such as Sam Cooke's 1964 Civil Rights anthem "A Change Is Gonna Come", while noting that her "powerful vocals carry the memory of Lauryn Hill in her prime."[23]
In a mixed review, Andy Kellman of AllMusic found that "Keys' invigorated energy level and need to simply expel ideas, rather than refine them, lends the album a hollow quality." He also criticized the songwriting, in which he found an abundance of temporary placeholders: "There are more yeahs, ohs, and unghs here than on any previous Keys album."[12] Similarly, Vanessa Okoth-Obbo from Pitchfork wrote that "the rhythms on Here represent a departure from her previous efforts and indicate a willingness to experiment with her sound but the lyrics, which rarely betray a sense of adventure, cancel out most of this good work."[18]
Alicia Keys: Here in Times Square
On October 9, 2016, Keys performed a concert in Times Square, New York. The performance was televised by BET on November 3, 2016.[24]
- "The Gospel"
- "28 Thousand Days"
- "You Don't Know My Name"
- "She Don't Really Care"
- "One Love" (performed by Nas)
- "Fallin'"
- "In Common"
- "Hallelujah"
- "If I Ain't Got You" / "Gravity" (performed with John Mayer)
- "Blended Family (What You Do for Love)"
- "War" (originally performed by Bob Marley)
- "We Are Here"
- "No One"
- "Empire State of Mind (Part II) Broken Down" / "Empire State of Mind" (performed with Jay Z)
- "Holy War" / "Imagine" (originally performed by John Lennon)
Commercial performance
Here debuted at number two on the US Billboard 200 with 50,000 album-equivalent units, of which 42,000 were pure album sales.[25] It topped the US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, as well as the UK R&B Chart. It marked her lowest opening sales for an album and was a considerable drop from her previous efforts, The Element of Freedom (2009) and Girl on Fire (2012), which opened to sales of 417,000 and 159,000 units, respectively.[26] It's Keys' seventh top ten album in the United States, and, along with The Element of Freedom, her only studio album not to top the Billboard 200.[25] Apart from the United States, the album peaked within the top ten on Canadian Albums Chart, Five Music Chart in Taiwan and Schweizer Hitparade Chart in Switzerland. It failed to enter the top twenty in the United Kingdom, peaking at number twenty-one on the UK Albums Chart. In Australia, the album failed to enter the top ten, peaking at number fourteen on the ARIA Charts.
Track listing
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "The Beginning (Interlude)" | 1:04 | ||
2. | "The Gospel" |
|
| 3:01 |
3. | "Pawn It All" |
|
| 3:10 |
4. | "Elaine Brown (Interlude)" |
|
| 0:50 |
5. | "Kill Your Mama" | Keys | 2:40 | |
6. | "She Don't Really Care_1 Luv" |
|
| 6:07 |
7. | "Elevate (Interlude)" |
|
| 0:48 |
8. | "Illusion of Bliss" |
|
| 5:23 |
9. | "Blended Family (What You Do for Love)" (featuring ASAP Rocky) |
| 3:31 | |
10. | "Work on It" |
| 3:34 | |
11. | "Cocoa Butter (Cross & Pic Interlude)" |
|
| 0:59 |
12. | "Girl Can't Be Herself" |
|
| 2:39 |
13. | "You Glow (Interlude)" |
|
| 0:25 |
14. | "More Than We Know" |
|
| 4:35 |
15. | "Where Do We Begin Now" |
|
| 2:47 |
16. | "Holy War" |
|
| 4:22 |
Total length: | 45:55 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
17. | "Hallelujah" |
|
| 3:09 |
18. | "In Common" |
| Illangelo | 3:29 |
Total length: | 52:33 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
19. | "In Common" (Black Coffee Remix) |
|
| 4:58 |
20. | "In Common" (Kaskade Remix) |
|
| 4:22 |
Notes
- "Pawn It All" features background vocals by Swizz Beatz.
- "Blended Family (What You Do for Love)" features background vocals by Tish Hyman.
- "She Don't Really Care / 1 Luv" contains samples of "One Love", written by Nas, Q-Tip, and Jimmy Heath, and performed by Nas; it also contains interpolations of "Fool Yourself", written by Fred Tackett and performed by Little Feat.
- "Elevate (Interlude)" features uncredited vocals by Nas.
Personnel
Credits adapted from Here liner notes.[32]
Musicians
Additional personnel
|
Production
|
Charts
Weekly charts
|
Year-end charts
|
Release history
Region | Date | Edition(s) | Format(s) | Label | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
United Kingdom | November 4, 2016 |
|
RCA | [28] | |
United States | [27] |
See also
References
- ^ Kaufman, Gil (October 7, 2016). "Alicia Keys Releasing 'Here' on Nov. 4; Listen to 'Blended Family' Single with A$AP Rocky". Billboard. Retrieved October 7, 2016.
- ^ Blistein, Jon (October 7, 2016). "Hear Alicia Keys' Heartfelt Ode 'Blended Family' With A$AP Rocky". Rolling Stone. Retrieved October 7, 2016.
- ^ Pearce. Sheldon (October 7, 2016). "Alicia Keys Announces New Album Here, Shares A$AP Rocky Collab "Blended Family (What You Do For Love)": Listen". Pitchfork. Retrieved October 7, 2016.
- ^ Renshaw, David (October 7, 2016). "Alicia Keys Announces New Album Here With A$AP Rocky Collaboration". The Fader. Retrieved October 7, 2016.
- ^ Young, Alex (October 7, 2016). "Alicia Keys announces new album, Here, shares ASAP Rocky single — listen". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved October 7, 2016.
- ^ Goodman, Jessica (October 7, 2016). "Alicia Keys releases A$AP Rocky collab from new album, Here". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved October 7, 2016.
- ^ a b Freedman, Jared (July 6, 2016). "Alicia Keys". Citizens of Humanity. Retrieved November 6, 2016.
- ^ Geslani, Michele (November 4, 2016). "Stream: Alicia Keys' new album HERE". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved November 6, 2016.
- ^ Webber, Stephanie (December 28, 2014). "Alicia Keys Gives Birth, Welcomes Second Baby Boy With Swizz Beatz: See His Unique Name!". Us Weekly. Retrieved November 6, 2016.
- ^ "Here by Alicia Keys reviews". Any Decent Music. Retrieved November 26, 2016.
- ^ a b "Critic Reviews for Here". Metacritic. Retrieved 2016-11-09.
- ^ a b Kellman, Andy. "Alicia Keys - Here". AllMusic. AllMusic. Retrieved November 7, 2016.
- ^ a b Feeney, Nolan (November 9, 2016). "Alicia Keys' Here: EW Review". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved November 9, 2016.
- ^ https://consequenceofsound.net/2016/11/album-review-alicia-keys-here/
- ^ Bowser, Edward (November 10, 2016). "Album Review: Alicia Keys, Here". The Guardian. Retrieved November 10, 2016.
- ^ Gill, Andy (November 9, 2016). "Album reviews: Emeli Sande - Long Live The Angels, Sting - 57th & 9th, Alicia Keys - Here, Simple Minds - Acoustic". The Independent. Retrieved November 9, 2016.
- ^ a b Levine, Nick (November 11, 2016). "Album Review: Alicia Keys, Here". NME. Retrieved November 11, 2016.
- ^ a b Okoth-Obbo, Vanessa (November 10, 2016). "Alicia Keys — Here". Pitchfork. Retrieved November 11, 2016.
- ^ a b Harris, Keith (April 25, 2016). "Review: Alicia Keys Gets Gritty, Eclectic, Political on 'Here'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2016-11-09.
- ^ http://www.slantmagazine.com/music/review/alicia-keys-here
- ^ a b Christgau, Robert (November 25, 2016). "We the People: Expert Witness with Robert Christgau". Vice. Retrieved November 26, 2016.
- ^ Fusilli, Jim (November 5, 2016). "'Here' by Alicia Keys Review: The Rewards of Risk Taking". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved November 6, 2016.
- ^ Hunter-Tilney, Ludovic (November 11, 2016). "Alicia Keys: Here — review". Financial Times. Retrieved November 11, 2016.
- ^ "Alicia Keys Shuts Down Times Square With Hometown Concert". Billboard.
- ^ a b Caulfield, Keith (November 13, 2016). "Bon Jovi Earns Sixth No. 1 Album on Billboard 200 Chart". Billboard. Retrieved November 14, 2016.
- ^ Caulfield, Keith (December 5, 2012). "Alicia Keys Earns Fifth No. 1 Album on Billboard 200 Chart". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved December 6, 2012.
- ^ a b "Here by Alicia Keys on iTunes US". iTunes. Apple (US). Retrieved October 7, 2016.
- ^ a b "Here by Alicia Keys: Amazon.co.uk: Music". Amazon.com. Retrieved October 26, 2016.
- ^ "Here by Alicia Keys on iTunes GB". iTunes. Apple (GB). Retrieved October 8, 2016.
- ^ "Here (Deluxe)". Google Play Music. Retrieved October 11, 2016.
- ^ "Amazon.co.jp: ヒアー :アリシア・キーズ 形式: CD" (in Japanese). Amazon.
- ^ Here (CD). Alicia Keys. 2016.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ "Australiancharts.com – Alicia Keys – Here". Hung Medien. Retrieved November 12, 2016.
- ^ "Austriancharts.at – Alicia Keys – Here" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved November 16, 2016.
- ^ "Ultratop.be – Alicia Keys – Here" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved November 12, 2016.
- ^ "Ultratop.be – Alicia Keys – Here" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved November 12, 2016.
- ^ "Alicia Keys Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved November 15, 2016.
- ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Alicia Keys – Here" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved November 12, 2016.
- ^ "Le Top de la semaine : Top Albums Fusionnes - SNEP (Week 45, 2016)" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved November 15, 2016.
- ^ [{{{url}}} "{{{title}}}"]. Retrieved November 11, 2016.
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: Check|url=
value (help) - ^ "GFK Chart-Track Albums: Week 45, 2016". Chart-Track. IRMA. Retrieved November 12, 2016.
- ^ "Italiancharts.com – Alicia Keys – Here". Hung Medien. Retrieved November 12, 2016.
- ^ "Charts.nz – Alicia Keys – Here". Hung Medien. Retrieved November 11, 2016.
- ^ "Norwegiancharts.com – Alicia Keys – Here". Hung Medien. Retrieved November 12, 2016.
- ^ "Oficjalna lista sprzedaży :: OLiS - Official Retail Sales Chart". OLiS. Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved November 17, 2016.
- ^ "Portuguesecharts.com – Alicia Keys – Here". Hung Medien. Retrieved November 16, 2016.
- ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 12, 2016.
- ^ "Spanishcharts.com – Alicia Keys – Here". Hung Medien. Retrieved November 17, 2016.
- ^ "Swedishcharts.com – Alicia Keys – Here". Hung Medien. Retrieved November 12, 2016.
- ^ "Swisscharts.com – Alicia Keys – Here". Hung Medien. Retrieved November 16, 2016.
- ^ "Weekly Top 20 – Five Music Chart 2016/11/18 to 2016/11/24" (in Chinese). Five Music. Archived from the original on November 27, 2016. Retrieved November 27, 2016.
- ^ "Alicia Keys | Artist | Official Charts". UK Albums Chart. Retrieved November 12, 2016.
- ^ "Official R&B Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 12, 2016.
- ^ "Alicia Keys Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved November 15, 2016.
- ^ "Alicia Keys Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved November 15, 2016.
- ^ "Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-end Chart 2016". Billboard. Retrieved December 17, 2016.