Review:
Girl on Fire is Alicia Keys’s fifth album, following up The
Element of Freedom (which I liked a lot), an album in which she brought a
new sound to her music, working with producer Jeff Bhasker (who works
extensively with Kanye West, especially on his 808s
& Heartbreak album).
For Girl on Fire, Keys presents a
multifaceted sound (though, for the most part relaxed). It both encompasses the
modern R&B sound that Keys brought forth with The Elements of Freedom and
has a classical jazz/soul feel. This is an easy-listening album, which invites
the listener to just sit back and take in (basking in its light – so to speak).
However, fans of Keys’s old work are still probably not going to be happy, as
it is clear she has moved on to a new overall sound as she has grown and
developed as an artist. Keys works with an array of great producers on the
album (including: Jamie xx, Darkchild, Swizz Beatz, Dr. Dre, Jeff Bhasker,
Salaam Remi, Pop Wansel and Oakwud, and Malay), but there is still a unified feel,
as Keys also produces many of the songs herself.
Lyrically, Keys sings about female
empowerment, heartbreak and love – all typical topics in her music. It is clear
that she is in a happy place in her life. Along with writing much of the music
and lyrics herself, Keys also works with fantastic song writers on the album
(including: John Legend, Bruno Mars, Babyface, and Frank Ocean).
While Girl on Fire does not
change the game or set Alicia Keys alone as R&B’s greatest female artist,
it is still a strong album and one of the best in its genre this year. I think
it is an album that will only get better with time, as it seems to grow on me
with each listen. It is well worth checking out. 3/5
Essential Tracks:
1)
Girl on Fire (Inferno
Version) – Produced by Alicia Keys, Salaam Remi and Jeff Bhasker, featuring
Nicki Minaj
