Keys: Simply, Exquisite

Alicia Keys’ new Keys album is simply exquisite.  Divine.  Fine wine aged to perfection and uncorked just in time for the holidays.  Particularly, a holiday with bae, as the theme of the album seems to be a serious expression of love.  And not just any love, but true love.  YAAS, honey!  All the way here for TRUE LOVE! LOL 

Keys is a two sided concept album that gives the listener sophisticated and sexy, old school classical jazz vibes– with 13 Original songs– before turning up with 12 mashed up techo/electro/classical Unlocked songs, mostly remixed versions of the Originals.  It’s done masterfully, as the vibe of the Unlocked songs pairs perfectly after the Originals.  It’s an overall divine, and later exhilarating, vibe that can’t be anything but appreciated.  And in some ways duplicated.

The album is aptly named as it’s piano rich.  As a Day 1 AK fan, I don’t recall any of her albums being this heavily blessed by the keys.  The Originals have an ethereal vibe that is beautifully laced through deep and poignant piano chords, and rich vocals, that make it feel like a journey through the heavens.  Particularly as you explore love, self, and the miracles of life.

It opens up with a brooding yet whimsical piano chord that gives way to a major beat drop. At that moment you know it’s about to get real.  Pusha T comes right out the gate saying “the devil’s always preying on the weaker souls.  All that we can know, it was all good just a week ago.”  Honey.  Tell me that ain’t the truth!  It be all good just a week ago! LOL  This immediately brings to mind what Nas told us on the Lost Tapes 2: there’s a war against love.

But fret not, because in true AK, Superwoman fashion, she immediately lets us know that our “God is Plentiful.”  That He surrounds us everyday.  That she is a miracle and miracles surround her.  Moreover, that “faith is the king that has opened her eyes.”

I find Alicia to be more vulnerable with us on this album in a way she hasn’t been in the past.  She’s giving us an even softer side of her, and even more introspective look, as shares with us (what I take to be) the expression of love she shares with and for her husband. She recently celebrated 11 years of marriage this past July, and it seems she’s really begun to settle into what love truly is, and sharing with us her gratitude for it, and her expression of it.  And I’m here for it, honey!  I really am.  I appreciate it.  In fact, I desire it.  The way she clearly feels for her husband, and the way he clearly feels for her, is how I want to feel for my husband, and him to feel for me.  This album makes me look forward to the day I can sip cognac on a wintery night, wrapped up in a blanket before the fire, playing footsies with bae, as we marvel at the Christmas tree and he regales me with his wisdom, ideas, and insights.  Yess, honey, this album is giving me all that! LOL  It has a real sexy winter, holiday feel to it, that I am just completely here for! LOL

But in all seriousness, I like that the album is calling you to slow down.  To Bask.  In your essence.  And to savor.  The moments and people that mean the most to you.  And to give love, as well as receive it.  I feel like it ushers in that peace Nas was talking about on War Against Love.  This is an album you’ll really get swept up in, as it takes its time opening up with songs like Best of Me (that gives serious Sade vibes), and Dead End Road (that gives the hope and encouragement we all love AK for), before moving into Is It Insane, where it starts to get real adult, and real sexy. Real quick. lol

If slow and steady with bae isn’t really your vibe (really? how can it not be? lol), then you can turn up and feel yourself with the Unlocked(s) like Only You, Nat King Cole, Come For Me, Old Memories, and Daffodils. 

I’m telling you.  This album is simply exquisite.  It makes me want to do two things.  1. Love on my man.  Appreciate him, wrap up in him, and unfold with him.  Definitely how I plan on loving on bae! LOL

And 2. Turn up and celebrate myself; my strength; and my expression of love.  Honey, if you are ready to slow down, and savor; while you build to an exciting and exhilarating climax- where you can appreciate yourself and bae at the same time- then honey this is the album for you!  And right in time for the holidays and the New Year! LOL

Check it out, girl!  And let me know what you think!

Are you loving it just as much as I am?

Drop a comment and let me know.

Until Next Time, Beautiful!  Keep it Exquisite. 😉

xoxo,

-LM

check out the Keys: Short Film.