Over a year after the versatile but also somewhat unbalanced
Alicia (2020), Alicia Keys releases a sequel in the form of a double album. The first volume is called Originals and is a collection of soulful songs in which Alicia Keys does what she does best: sing beautifully and play the piano. This is all wrapped up in a stylish R&B production that, unlike the previous album, doesn't overflow with
… different influences the whole time. For the second half, called Unlocked, the singer opts more for electronic music and influences of hip-hop and funk. Ten of the fourteen songs from the first half get a makeover here. As a result, the second half of the album has a completely different atmosphere, though the production remains a tasteful one. The pace is faster, but Keys keeps the whole thing graceful. As such, her eighth album is an impressive addition to her oeuvre. (JvQ)more
