Girl On Fire - Alicia Keys | 27 November 2012 | Studio Album

Alicia Keys is back. The album, which starts off with some of the most powerful songs the singer has ever produced, is sure to be a favourite amongst R&B lovers.

The album starts off like every other Alicia Keys album, with an piano interlude. It's safe to say that De Novo Adagio is one of the more dramatic interludes she has produced.

In terms of sound, Alicia Keys' albums have not had this many powerful songs. Brand New, When It's All Over are the two powerful songs I spoke of in the beginning of this post. Because they are the first two songs after the interlude you immediately think that the album is very intense and a bit dark when it is actually quite calm. She even has a reggae sounding song this time around and manages to meddle into a hip-hop sound with New Day.

Read My Favourite Music Albums Blog Post

Girl On Fire
In terms of lyric content Alicia Keys has taken a somewhat different approach. There is more talk about God and relationships in this album. Maybe motherhood has changed her look on life?

"Emphasis on looking inward recalls the mood of Beyoncé's 4." - James Reed of The Boston Globe
Up and coming singer Emeli Sandé, Bruno Mars and Frank Ocean all write songs for Girl on Fire. Keys' husband, Swizz Beats, Dr. Dre and Babyface also produce songs for the album.

Read The Women In Music Blog Post

Brand New Me
It's been a while, I'm not who I was before
You look surprised, your words don't burn me anymore
Been meaning to tell you, but I guess it's clear to see
Don't be mad, it's just the brand new kind of me
Can't be bad, I found a brand new kind of free

Careful with your ego, he's the one that we should blame
Had to grab my heart back
God know something had to change
I thought that you'd be happy
I found the one thing I need, why you mad
It's just the brand new kind of me

It took a long long time to get here
It took a brave, brave girl to try
It took one too many excuses, one too many lies
Don't be surprised, don't be surprised

If I talk a little louder
If I speak up when you're wrong
If I walk a little taller
I've been on to you too long
If you noticed that I'm different
Don't take it personally
Don't be mad, it's just the brand new kind of me
And it ain't bad, I found a brand new kind of free

Oh, it took a long long road to get here
It took a brave brave girl to try
I've taken one too many excuses, one too many lies
Don't be surprised, oh see you look surprised

Hey, if you were a friend, you want to get know me again
If you were worth a while
You'd be happy to see me smile
I'm not expecting sorry
I'm too busy finding myself
I got this
I found me, I found me, yeah
I don't need your opinion
I'm not waiting for your ok
I'll never be perfect, but at least now i'm brave
Now, my heart is open
And I can finally breathe
Don't be mad, it's just the brand new kind of free
That ain't bad, I found a brand new kind of me
Don't be mad, it's a brand new time for me, yeah

My favourite songs and must listen songs are:

• Brand New
• When It's All Over
• Listen Your Heart
• Fire We Make

The album also features a very R&B soulful duet with Maxwell, (Fire We Make). Never thought of them collaborating but now that they have I am glad they did.

All in all Alicia Keys has provided us with a very personal album. The lyrical content makes it obvious that she has become a mother and a wife.
She might not be the strongest singer but she makes up for it with her classical training.
The sound is completely different from Piano and I and Diary of Alicia Keys. It borderlines Element of Freedom but is a lot better.

This is an album that all Alicia Keys' fans will appreciate and love.

Seems like 2013 will be a great year for Alicia Keys.