Alicia Keys debuted her eighth album Here early this month, exposing her unfiltered self in funky rhythms and soulful vocalization. Here reflects her evolution from our favorite early-2000s pop pianist to a more abrasive R&B artist.
She utilizes textured rhythms and her signature harmonically rich vocals to speak out on family-oriented issues, environmentalism, institutional racism, inner-city life, womanhood and standards of beauty. Her past top-charters have been successful and noteworthy, but Here finally releases Keys’ true voice and anger at societal injustice.
Recently, Keys unveiled a revolutionary ideology that is reflected not just in her work, but everyday life as well. At the MTV Music Awards in August, Keys delivered a poem that dissected America’s fragmentation of violence and sexuality. Unlike other artists attempting to tackle social issues, Keys’ genuine passion for these issues shines through her new album on every track. She unifies those oppressed and struggling to form a community of love and progression.
Tracks like “The Gospel” direct our attention to the lives of urban families in New York City. The song starts off slow with soft piano, followed by a upbeat progression of blues and hip-hop. She’s embodied her New York roots through her rap-like intonation and busy melodies. Other songs like “Pawn It All” demonstrate the values she’s been touching on since the dawn of her career.
For Keys, love has always trumped materialistic lifestyles, an idea that “Pawn in All Out” exemplifies to the tee. The blues and jazz instrumental creates a foundation for an emotional vocal delivery. These are just a few of the catchy yet inspiring tracks Keys has produced on this album.
Nonetheless, the true inspiration comes from the interludes. Those solely seeking beats and rhyme will most likely skip these for the grittier tracks. However, Keys’ new wave of artistry takes a step forward in making use of these interludes. They each tell a story that further amplifies each individual message. These interludes may be highly underrated, and they work to transition her album from one hit to the next.
Overall, the configuration of the album itself was born out of societal injustices striking Keys’ emotional chords. Her experiences have notably changed her style for the better in all forms. This has led her to grow as not only an entertainer, but a role model as well for youth, women, African-Americans and other marginalized communities.
