4 Tracks You Need To Know From Alicia Keys’ New Album, “The Element Of Freedom”

Alicia Keys - The Element of Freedom

It’s been in stores for almost a full week but you’re still unsure if you’re willing to shell out your hard earned cash for Alicia Keys‘ fourth album, The Element OF Freedom. Maybe you’ve found yourself unimpressed with the set’s lead single Doesn’t Mean Anything or you just don’t understand why people love the second single Try Sleeping With A Broken Heart so much. Whatever the reason, you haven’t made the commitment to buy.

Because we think it’s important for you to make an informed decision on where you throw your dollars in this rough recession, we’ve taken some of the guess work out of this decision. Here are four tracks from the album we think will help to push you in the purchasing direction.

1. Wait Til You See My Smile – Listen

Alicia Keys isn’t your everyday pop star. She likes to make music with substance. Music that will help to move you and inspire you. She does just that in this gorgeous ballad about finding the strength to come out of a tough situation.

2. Un-Thinkable (Im Ready) – Listen

Call it the Drake effect or just call it two talented artists getting together to create magic. Alicia Keys drafted the help of uber-talented newcomer for this heartfelt track. But it probably isn’t the collaboration you think. Drake doesn’t provide a killer rap verse. He subtly lends his vocals by singing throughout the song, echoing Keys to give certain moments more poignancy. Future single? We think and hope so!

3. Put It In A Love Song (Featuring Beyonce) – Listen

Alicia Keys alone: Epic. Beyonce Alone: Epic as well. Put the two together and we’re talking epic levels so high, the world could explode. OK, maybe not but the outcome is still damn good.

The two divas got together for this long awaited collaboration and did not disappoint either of their fan bases. The ladies compliment each other well while trading verses on the up-tempo, drum-driven foot-tapper about getting their men to step up and profess love for them in any way possible from a song, a letter, or a text.

4. How It Feels To Fly – Listen

If you were looking for a song to sum up the overall sound and theme of the album, this track would have to be it. On How It Feels To Fly, you get the sense that Alicia really didn’t want anything in her music held back. She seems truly free as she lets her voice soar over this inspirational song.