People always want me to be at the piano, in my element. Like, I knew this would be people’s favorite record. I knew that “Keys” would be a more singer-songwriter, focused-on-piano album. I always knew that the “Keys” record - we had the title five years ago - was going to follow “Alicia.” Actually, at one point, “Alicia” and “Keys” were going to be the double album, and not what it turned out to be. I think there are parts of it that are intentional. Was there something intentional in making “Keys” different from that album, or does that not figure into the organic quality you’re talking about? One of the most prominent elements of last year’s “Alicia” album was its willingness to experiment: sonically, in terms of its space-soul vibe, and lyrically in its furthering of an emotional brand of storytelling. Now, just experience what I’m doing while I’m doing it and we can experience it together. It’s better than blaring the trumpet and telling you, “OK, I’M DOING THIS,” every time. We’re doing performances on our Instagrams. We’re having meetings and moments on Zoom that are just different. The way that creativity flows, we are introducing things to people in a way that feels more natural. The pandemic has absolutely changed the game. Now, it is a shorter runway A different tempo. Before, it took three months for the first single, then the next single, then you were gonna tour and promo it all over the world … and finally come back to this big moment to release the record. That was at the end of August into the top of September… The way things creatively flow, now, it is more about organic energy. That was a cool way to engage people in what the music would sound like: In pieces. Now I am willing and able - I have the head and the fearlessness to be in that space - and we could share and tease pieces on this new music that was coming. We talked about things that I haven’t before.
Alicia keys youtube new song series#
I had the “Untold Stories” series with YouTube which opened the door to people seeing their way into my growth, my thought process, where I am. This piece, “Keys,” just came more organically. This one, though, save for hints and a few appearances - nothing. We know when a next Alicia Keys album is coming a long time before you drop it because you ramp up with singles, branding connections, press. VARIETY: You normally don’t do stealth album drops.
Then there is the “Unlocked’ version of “Keys,” a fully arranged production where “me and my brother Mike Will Made-It re-imagined the ‘Original’, sampled it and created a new perspective.”Īlong with Mike Will Made-It, “Keys” plays host to Swae Lee, Pusha T, Lil Wayne, Khalid and Lucky Daye, along with the pianist’s new best friend, Brandi Carlile, with whom Keys just got Grammy-nominated for song of the year for their election-inspired single, “A Beautiful Noise.”
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