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Keys (album)

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Keys
Studio album by
Alicia Keys
ReleasedDecember 10, 2021 (2021-12-10)
GenreR&B
Length93:24
LabelRCA
Producer
  • Alicia Keys
Alicia Keys chronology
Alicia
(2020) 		Keys
(2021)
Singles from Keys
  1. "Lala (Unlocked)"
    Released: September 9, 2021
  2. "Best of Me"
    Released: October 28, 2021

Keys is the eighth studio album by American singer and songwriter Alicia Keys, released through RCA Records on December 10, 2021.[1] It was primarily produced by Keys. It was preceded by the release of two singles: "Lala (Unlocked)" featuring Swae Lee and "Best of Me". The album was announced on October 27 and includes two discs (original and unlocked), with two versions of 10 tracks, along with six other tracks.[2]

Conception and composition

The singer's eighth recording project consists of two parts: the first, called Originals, is described as "the classic side of me", while the second, Unlocked, is "a whole other sonic experience".[3] The album features the singer as producer and songwriter on all twenty-six tracks, with numerous songwriters and producers participating, including Mike Will Made It, Sia, Raphael Saadiq, Natalie Hemby, and vocal collaborations from Khalid, Lil Wayne, Pusha T, Swae Lee, Brandi Carlile, and Jacob Collier.[4]

Alicia Keys, interviewed by Entertainment Weekly, said about the album:[5]

«The pandemic hit; I didn't feel creative at all. I had lost my center and didn't really know how to find peace. [...] So I did get right back in and I knew that I wanted to do this album called Keys. And as I started to create it, I realized that it was a homecoming for me. It's so grounded in songwriting and raw expression. I didn't worry about production. [...] Me and my engineer Ann Mincieli started conversating about this concept about these two worlds. [...] She suggested I connect with [rap producer] Mike Will. And when I connected with Mike Will, it was instant vibes. [...] I like that you can choose your own adventure. You could do that thing where you're kind of A-B-ing it, or you can just ride out to what your energy is».

Promotion

Keys debuted the album's lead single, "Lala" at the 2021 MTV Video Music Awards alongside Swae Lee.[6] In November 2021, Keys appeared on the covers of Marie Claire in the United Kingdom and the United States, and Glamour Germany.[7][8][9] Keys performed of songs from the album at the Mercedes-EQ Concert Experience, held at Mercedes-Benz Manhattan on November 6, 2021.[10] On November 7, Keys appeared on 1Xtra's R&B Show on BBC Radio 1Xtra in the United Kingdom.[11] As part of SiriusXM's and Pandora's Small Stage Series, Keys performed songs from the album at Apollo Theater on November 11, 2021.[12] The show was the first of several intimate concert appearances staged by Keys during the unveiling of the new material.[13] On December 1, Keys performed songs from the album at an intimate concert at Superblue art gallery during Art Basel in Miami Beach, Florida.[14] On December 6, Keys appeared on Complex's 360 With Speedy Morman to talk about the album.[15] On December 9, Keys was featured on Drink Champs podcast on Revolt.[16] The album was further promoted by an album release party featuring an exclusive interview and performances by Keys in collaboration with iHeartRadio.[17] On November 10, Keys appeared on Apple Music's R&B Now Radio to talk about the album with Ebro Darden and performed a concert at Expo 2020 in Dubal, United Arab Emirates.[18][19] On December 12, Keys appeared on The Kris Fade Show on Virgin Radio Dubai.[20]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
AnyDecentMusic?5.5/10[21]
Metacritic65/100[22]
Review scores
SourceRating
Evening Standard[23]
The Guardian[24]
The Independent[25]
The New York Timespositive[26]
NME[27]
The Observer[28]
Rolling Stone[29]
Slant Magazine[30]
The Times[31]
The Telegraph[32]

According to Metacritic, the album received generally favorable reviews, with an overall score of 65 out of 100.[22] It comprised 62% positive reviews and 37% mixed reviews, with no negative reviews.

Dan Cairns of The Times wrote that the album is "powerful reminder of just how original an artist she is" and added that "tracks such as Daffodil Mix 2/Daffodils, Skydive, Is It Insane and Nat King Cole point up to Keys' bracingly and often irreverent approach to music-making".[31]

Track listing

Side One – Originals
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Plentiful" (featuring Pusha T)
3:08
2."Skydive"
Keys3:04
3."Best of Me"
  • Keys
  • Sam Morton[b]
3:59
4."Dead End Road"
3:32
5."Is It Insane"KeysKeys6:21
6."Billions"
AraabMuzik3:19
7."Love When You Call My Name"
  • Keys
  • Saadiq
Keys3:37
8."Only You"
  • Keys
  • Saadiq
Keys3:15
9."Daffodils"
Keys4:33
10."Old Memories"
  • Keys
  • Hemby
Keys2:59
11."Nat King Cole"
3:39
12."Paper Flowers" (featuring Brandi Carlile)
Keys3:24
13."Like Water"
Keys3:57
14."Keys"KeysKeys1:25
Total length:50:12
Side Two – Unlocked
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Only You"
  • Keys
  • Saadiq
  • Asheton Hogan
  • Pierre Slaughter
  • Williams
  • Keys
  • Mike Will Made It
  • Pluss[a]
  • P-Nazty[a]
  • Aaron Jhenke[b]
3:11
2."Skydive"
  • Keys
  • Saadiq
  • Nix
  • Hogan
  • Williams
  • Keys
  • Mike Will Made It
  • Pluss[a]
3:03
3."Best of Me"
Keys
  • Keys
  • Mike Will Made It
3:43
4."Lala" (featuring Swae Lee)
  • Keys
  • Khalif Brown
  • Williams
  • Darryl Ellis
  • Paul Richmond
  • Ruben Locke
  • Keys
  • Mike Will Made It
4:31
5."Nat King Cole" (featuring Lil Wayne)
  • Keys
  • Mike Will Made It
  • Marzeratti[a]
4:05
6."Is It Insane"
  • Keys
  • Hogan
  • Williams
  • Keys
  • Mike Will Made It
4:27
7."Come for Me" (featuring Khalid and Lucky Daye)
  • Mike Will Made It
  • Carter Lang
  • BJ Burton
3:29
8."Old Memories"
  • Keys
  • Hemby
  • Shondrae Crawford
  • Williams
  • Keys
  • Mike Will Made It
  • Jhenke[b]
3:52
9."Dead End Road"
  • Keys
  • Ball
  • McIntosh
  • Ball
  • Jay Mooncie
3:32
10."Love When You Call My Name"
  • Keys
  • Saadiq
  • Williams
  • Keys
  • Mike Will Made It
3:15
11."Daffodils"
  • Keys
  • Hemby
  • Williams
  • Keys
  • Mike Will Made It
3:04
12."Billions"
  • Keys
  • Orellana
3:00
Total length:43:12

Notes

  • ^[a] signifies a co-producer
  • ^[b] signifies an assistant producer
  • "Keys" and "Lala" are stylized in all caps.

Sample credits

  • Side Two – Unlocked
    • "Skydive" contains a sample of "Heartbeat", written by Kenton Nix, performed by Taana Gardner.
    • "Best of Me" contains a sample of "Cherish the Day", written by Helen Adu, Andrew Hale, and Stuart Matthewman, performed by Sade; and an interpolation of "Strange Games & Things", written by Barry White and performed by The Love Unlimited Orchestra.
    • "Lala" contains a sample of "In the Mood", written by Darryl Ellis, Paul Richmond, Ruben Locke, performed by Tyrone Davis.

Release history

Release dates and formats for Keys
Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
Various December 10, 2021
RCA [33]
United States February 4, 2022
Sony Music [34]

References

  1. ^ "Keys by Alicia Keys". Apple Music. Retrieved 2021-12-05.
  2. ^ Keithan, Samuels (October 27, 2021). "Alicia Keys Announces New Double Album 'Keys'". Rated R&B. Retrieved December 1, 2021.
  3. ^ Nast, Condé (2021-10-29). "Alicia Keys Announces New Album Keys, Shares New Song "Best of Me"". Pitchfork. Retrieved 2021-12-10.
  4. ^ Abraham, Mya; Abraham, Mya (2021-12-07). "Alicia Keys Reveals Tracklist For Upcoming Double Album, 'KEYS'". VIBE.com. Retrieved 2021-12-10.
  5. ^ Jones, Marcus (2021-10-29). "Alicia Keys on the 'Original,' 'Unlocked' Sides of New Double Album 'Keys'". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 2021-12-10.
  6. ^ Hussey, Allison (2021-09-13). "Watch Alicia Keys Perform "Lala" and "Empire State of Mind" at the 2021 MTV VMAs". Pitchfork. Retrieved 2021-12-05.
  7. ^ Herndon, Jessica. "Alicia Keys Gets What She Wants". Marie Claire. Retrieved 2021-12-05.
  8. ^ "Alicia Keys: On Success, Identity And Growing Into Her Skin". Marie Claire. Retrieved 2021-12-05.
  9. ^ von Schmied, Ursula (2021-10-29). "GLAMOUR Coverstar: Alicia Keys über ihr neues Album, Self-Care und Empowerment". Glamour Germany (in German). Retrieved 2021-12-05.
  10. ^ Uwumarogie, Victoria (2021-11-09). "Alicia Keys And The Mercedes-Benz EQS, The Brand's First Electric Vehicle, Shine During Concert Experience". Essence. Retrieved 2021-12-05.
  11. ^ "Everything R&B with DJ Ace - Alicia Keys in Conversation". 1Xtra's R&B Show. BBC Radio 1Xtra. 2021-11-07. Archived from the original on 2021-12-10. Retrieved 2021-12-10.
  12. ^ Lamarre, Carl (November 12, 2021). "Alicia Keys Unlocks the Magic of Harlem's Apollo Theater For Her One Night Only Concert". Billboard. Retrieved December 1, 2021.
  13. ^ "Alicia Keys previews her forthcoming double album at secret show in Miami". TheGrio. 2021-12-02. Retrieved 2021-12-05.
  14. ^ Upadhyaya, Kayla (2021-12-04). "Inside Alicia Keys' Secret Concert At Art Basel". Bustle. Retrieved 2021-12-05.
  15. ^ "Alicia Keys on Lost J.Cole Songs, Swizz Beatz Surviving The Ick & Her Legacy | 360 with Speedy Morman". Complex. 2021-12-06. Retrieved 2021-12-09.
  16. ^ Abraham, Mya (2020-12-09). "Alicia Keys Admits She Never Knew The Infamous Lil Mama Moment Happened Until Jay-Z Told Her". Vibe. Retrieved 2021-12-13.
  17. ^ Fields, Taylor (2021-12-03). "Alicia Keys' iHeartRadio Album Release Party: How to Watch". iHeart. Retrieved 2021-12-05.
  18. ^ @oldmanebro (2021-12-10). "Today on #RnBNowRadio, I'm sitting down with @aliciakeys to talk about staying true to herself on her new double album #Keys" (Tweet). Retrieved 2021-12-12 – via Twitter.
  19. ^ Marsden, Rhodri (2021-12-11). "Review: Alicia Keys Mesmerises Expo 2020 Dubai with Old Hits and a New Album". The National. Retrieved 2021-12-11.
  20. ^ "The Kris Fade Show Podcast 12 Dec 2021". Omny.fm. 2021-12-12. Archived from the original on 2021-12-12. Retrieved 2021-12-12.
  21. ^ "Keys by Alicia Keys reviews". AnyDecentMusic?. Retrieved December 12, 2021.
  22. ^ a b "KEYS by Alicia Keys". Metacritic.com. Retrieved 11 December 2021.
  23. ^ Smyth, David (December 9, 2021). "Alicia Keys - Keys review: Playing twice is twice as nice". Evening Standard. Retrieved December 12, 2021.
  24. ^ Petridis, Alexis (December 9, 2021). "Alicia Keys: Keys review – bold experiment lacks stone-cold hits". The Guardian. Retrieved December 12, 2021.
  25. ^ Nugent, Annabel (December 10, 2021). "Alicia Keys review, KEYS: An experimental double record that stops short of reaching its tall ambitions". The Independent. Retrieved December 12, 2021.
  26. ^ Pareles, Jon (December 10, 2021). "Alicia Keys, on and Off the Digital Grid". New York Times. Retrieved December 12, 2021.
  27. ^ Levine, Nick (December 10, 2021). "Alicia Keys – 'KEYS' review: an intriguing concept, but not a top-tier project". NME. Retrieved December 12, 2021.
  28. ^ Cragg, Michael (December 12, 2021). "Alicia Keys: Keys review – double album shows two faces". The Observer. Retrieved December 12, 2021.
  29. ^ Dolan, Jon (December 12, 2021). "Alicia Keys Delivers a Huge Album Without a Huge Ego". Rolling Stone. Retrieved December 12, 2021.
  30. ^ Cinquemani, Sal (December 12, 2021). "Review: With Keys, Alicia Keys Unlocks Herself from Genre Constraints". Slant Magazine. Retrieved December 12, 2021.
  31. ^ a b Dan Cairns, Dan; Canning, Hugh (2021-12-05). "Best New Albums: Alicia Keys Recaptures the Verve That Made Her a Star". The Times. Retrieved 2021-12-05.
  32. ^ McCormick, Neil (December 10, 2021). "Alicia Keys: KEYS, review: world-class range, ambition and accomplishment". The Telegraph. Retrieved December 12, 2021.
  33. ^ "'KEYS' [Explicit] by Alicia Keys on Apple Music". Retrieved December 11, 2021.
  34. ^ "'KEYS' CD". Retrieved December 11, 2021.
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