Alicia Keys - Girl On Fire (2012/2020) [Hi-Res]

Fifth studio album by the American artist. Featuring the singles 'Girl on Fire' and 'Brand New Life' and duets with Maxwell and Nicki Minaj, the follow up album to 2009's 'The Element of Freedom' has been well-received and critically-acclaimed.

The songs on Girl On Fire are anchored by Keys' powerful vocals and trademark piano, but are sonically broadened by heavy drums, electric sounds, reggae and future soul, which gives the album an evolved, modern-day feel while simultaneously sounding like a classic body of timeless music.

The title track has nearly reached 1 million single sales for the multi-platinum-selling Keys, winner of 14 Grammy awards. In addition, it is No. 3 on the digital singles sales chart, as it swiftly moves up the 40 radio charts. "Brand New Me," the first track on the album, is now the most introduced at urban radio formats. On top of all of this, "Girl on Fire" is the fourth album by Keys to debut at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart, making Keys the first female R&B artist to have three consecutive No. 1 LP debuts on the Billboard 200 album chart.

"Girl on Fire" introduces a new stage in Keys' personal and professional life. Her maturity is obvious on the album, which is vibrantly colored with themes of life, love, hope, wisdom and empowerment. On a personal level, it speaks of a unique, talented female who has come into bloom. As she shares with her fans in the sleeve notes, "This is the most inspiring time of my life! There has been so much growth and so many experiences that have pushed me to become the woman I am today."

The album is the masterwork of a musician blessed with a gift that she, in turn, has nurtured. It is also that of a skilled songwriter who has keenly observed humanity, and in so doing, has written some of the most honest and graceful lyrics that speak to everyone. All the songs on "Girl on Fire" are exceptional musically and vocally, and every track is a lesson in Keys' creative prowess. The album is a great study of a master artiste at the top of her game, as the following four songs from the 12-track album demonstrate.

On the powerful anthem "Girl on Fire," an eight-bar intro of rap music over a big-sounding drum kit introduces Nicki Minaj's evocative rap. The haunting lyrics instantly pull listeners into Keys' dramatic world. The engaging build-up continues with 16 bars of synthesized emulation of the 1960s Mellotron keyboard. During the second half of the 16, Keys' signature piano sound (which has been sampled and sold and used by musicians on many records) is allowed to sit on top of the synthesizer, supporting as well as doubling its pattern, resulting in a retro yet current sound--and it is wicked!

Alicia Keys, lead & background vocals
Jeff Bhasker, CP-70 piano, organ
Salaam Remi, drum-programming
Dylan Wissing, drums

Recorded at Jungle City Studios (NYC), Oven Studios (NYC) & The Record Plant (Los Angeles, CA)
Produced by Alicia Keys, Jeff Bhasker, Salaam Remi