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Alicia Keys

The Element Of Freedom

J Records/MBK

Producers: Alicia Keys, Kerry “Krucial” Brothers, Jeff Bhasker, Swizz Beatz, Noah “40″ Shebib

Since the dawn of her career, Alicia Keys has been a critically acclaimed musician as well as a philanthropist and media darling, contributing to non-profit organizations around the globe as well as co-founding her own, Keep A Child Alive. With a musical career that includes twelve Grammy wins and over 30 million records sold worldwide, Keys appeared to have everything she could dream of… everything that is but love. 2009 saw reports of a rumored relationship with divorcee Swizz Beatz blanketed by rumors that she was the cause of his divorce from singer Mashonda. With The Element Of Freedom, Alicia Keys seeks to finally address her new found freedom and at the same time, exhale.

A brief spoken word guides listeners into the delicate “Love Is Blind”, a standout which finds the singer expressing her thoughts on negativity hanging over her head through a voice that almost does not sound as if its her own. She defiantly addresses doubters and naysayers who feel the need to express their opinions on circumstances surrounding the origins of her personal relationship with producer Swizz Beatz. Soft piano keys dramatically compliment the songstress’ supple vocals on initial single “Doesn’t Mean Anything”, an mature number where she recounts all the material items she’s amassed and how worthless they are without that special someone to share her joy with. The previous record impeccably transitions into Keys’ second single “Try Sleeping With a Broken Heart”, an inspirational ballad dedicated to those who have experienced shattered love and using a trip down memory lane to fuel her to finally let go.

The songbird promptly reverts to her bread and butter, heavily relying on the piano on “Wait Til You See My Smile” and “That’s How Strong My Love Is”, the latter seeing Keys reverberate vocals similar to a vintage Mariah Carey. The midway point of The Element Of Freedom includes the only collaboration(s) on the project. The only “official” collaboration comes in the form of “Put It In a Love Song” where she unites with fellow diva Beyonce on a track that reeks of Mrs. Carter’s “Single Ladies” and would have been better served on her next project instead. The uncredited cameo on Freedom comes courtesy of Drake, who administers background vocals to “UnThinkable (I’m Ready)”. An aura of vulnerability encases Alicia on “UnThinkable” as Drake’s in-house producer Noah “40″ Shebib merges her succulent yearning with the trademark aesthetic created on So Far Gone to craft a painfully beautiful and lovestruck record that may prove to be the benchmark for tracks concocted prior to and for the duration of her career.

Alicia Keys continues to exercise her newfound freedom, stepping outside of her boundary box to provide the 80’s inspired “This Bed”, crying out for her love to join her for a passionate rendevaous beneath the covers. The album comes to a perfect conclusion as “Distance & Time” tackles the idea of long distance relationships before concluding with the sequel to her collaboration single with Jay-Z, “Empire State Of Mind”. Part II is more elegance than flash in comparison to its predecessor and while sans Jay-Z, Alicia Keys pays homage to the city that groomed her and undoubtably proves that she is the biggest reason why the original became a #1 record.

With The Element Of Freedom, Alicia Keys provides yet another great record to install in her small (yet growing) catalogue as she continues to slowly grow and expand before the public’s very eyes. While there are a few misfires (“Put It In a Love Song” comes to mind), these flaws are rendered null and void due to the excellence of songs like “UnThinkable” and “Like The Sea”. With Freedom, Alicia Keys takes listeners on a lush journey, one that showcases her consistency as well as a foundation of strength, vulnerability and ultimately, hope.

4 spins (out of 5)

Written By Rakeem Johnson

I go by the name of Mr. Genius. Undergraduate. Professional Writing Major, Psychology Minor. A future in corporate law on the horizon. Very abstract - usually thinking outside the box. A bit unorthodox. A lover of music; specifically Hip Hop, R&B and Neo-Soul, but I'll listen to anything once. Catch Me at YK2Daily.net or on Twitter (@Mr_Genius23)