"It feels emotional and vulnerable but there's also a kind of freedom in it. I can't quite find a better word than freedom to really describe it. Even though every song has touches of different textures and sounds, the overall [sense of] freedom is the thing that grounds it. It's definitely the theme of where I am in my life." ALICIA KEYS
"The Element of Freedom" is a pleasant surprise...then again, I know I shouldn't really BE surprised. After all, it is ALICIA KEYS. Her description for her album is on point but I can take it a step further and say your heart will become elevated if you're the type of person that has someone to love...or a reason to cherish life. Much like her, I haven't exactly been feeling "great" ...listening to this album, I realize that it's therapeutic. It's the remedy for hardships...it's the medicine for depression...it's the potion for love. While it is certain that all her previous albums have all been powerful, ALICIA KEYS' "The Element of Freedom" is definitely her best yet!
ALICIA KEYS states, "The way that the songs progress [on the album] are gonna take you on a natural high... you're definitely going to be taken on a trip, I know you're going to be shocked, you're going to hear things that you probably didn't think that I would sound like. It's a journey." The piercing track "Love Is Blind" is complete evidence of what she is saying. She sings in a style that is very similar to how a Turkish singer would perform and it is absolutely amazing...this song is definitely one of my favorite ALICIA KEYS songs of ALL time. The album continues on and reaches heights of profound persuasion when it comes to love. Some of my favorite tracks include "That's How Strong My Love Is" and "Distance and Time" ...but the real eye-openers come to light on the reggae-infused "Love Is My Disease" and "This Bed". The collaborations on this album can't be ignored either. Drake is featured on the assuring track "Un-Thinkable (I'm Ready)" on background vocals...AND he also wrote the song. Beyonce also makes an appearance on the up-tempo track "Put It In a Love Song". "The Element of Freedom" features the ever-omnipotent ballad "Empire State of Mind II (Broken Down)", which if you don't know by now, is the second part to the inspirational tribute to New York City originally performed by ALICIA KEYS and Jay-Z. Let's not forget about the two singles "Doesn't Mean Anything" and "Try Sleeping With a Broken Heart", both of which are radiant in their own right.
We know that ALICIA KEYS has brought us hits like "Fallin'", "If I Ain't Got You", "No One", and "Like You'll Never See Me Again". Being the recipient of several Grammy Awards and numerous other awards, she is one of few artists that really shows maturity with every project she embarks on. "The Element of Freedom" is a step above the rest...and one of the best albums of this year, in my opinion. Without a doubt, it was worth the wait.
Songs that I Absolutely Loved from the Album:
• Doesn't Mean Anything
• Try Sleeping With a Broken Heart
• Wait 'Til You See My Smile
• Like the Sea
• Put It In a Love Song featuring Beyonce
• Distance and Time
• How It Feels to Fly
• Empire State of Mind II (Broken Down)
• Through It All (Deluxe Edition Only)
From ALICIA KEYS' new album "The Element of Freedom", here's "Love Is Blind..."
From the same album, here's "Un-Thinkable (I'm Ready)" featuring Drake...
ALICIA KEYS
"Try Sleeping With a Broken Heart"
From the album "The Element of Freedom"
Directed by Syndrome
(4.38)
BONUS TRACKS
(Deluxe Edition)
• Through It All
• Pray For Forgiveness
• Doesn't Mean Anything (Live--DVD)
• Empire State of Mind II (Broken Down) (Live--DVD)
• Try Sleeping With a Broken Heart (Live--DVD)
• No One (Live--DVD)
• Doesn't Mean Anything (Video)
("Empire" Edition EP)
• Lover Man (Exclusive Unreleased Track)
• Almost There (Exclusive Unreleased Track)
• No One (Live)
• Like You'll Never See Me Again (Live)
• If I Ain't Got You (Live)
• Karma (Live)
• Fallin' (Live)
COPYRIGHT PROTECTED.
Written by Felix-Lee "Campbells" Andrades, III
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