KEYS
by Alicia Keys
  • Record Label: RCA
  • Release Date: Dec 10, 2021
User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 27 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 21 out of 27
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 27
  3. Negative: 4 out of 27
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  1. Rej72380
    Dec 10, 2021
    10
    The new double album by Alicia Keys has two versions of most songs--The Originals,
    which use the piano as the primary instrument, and Unlocked, which is the
    pop version so them. The production quality of both disc are perfect. The vocal color of the album, which has collaborations between various famous rap artists make it very lively. As for instrumentals, I favor the Originals    The new double album by Alicia Keys has two versions of most songs--The Originals,
    which use the piano as the primary instrument, and Unlocked, which is the
    pop version so them. The production quality of both disc are perfect. The vocal
    color of the album, which has collaborations between various famous rap
    artists make it very lively. As for instrumentals, I favor the Originals
    versions, but the Unlocked version of "Nat King Cole" is the best of the album.

    Overall, this is one of the best (if not the best) album of 2021 and I recommend
    to all music listeners.    … Expand
  2. ROBYWON
    Dec 12, 2021
    10
    An extraordinary journey after ALICIA, the turning point, KEYS, which opens the door to two new worlds, three or a thousand. Lovely ballads, an overwhelming piano and a lot of grit. The writing and composing skills of this artist have no limits. It is not to be listened to, but to be experienced.
  3. reneleonteacher
    Dec 10, 2021
    10
    Wow. This is by far one her best records and it shows. Not one bad track on this album!
  4. Carlosreyes2486
    Dec 10, 2021
    10
    This album proves the master of a musician Alicia Keys is! The album mixes many genres together and creates a world of its own! Skydive is legendary
  5. Scorpiox1
    Dec 12, 2021
    10
    Top notch from Alicia. The piano is in full force on this album, which is when Alicia is at her best. Vocals soar and as you make it to the unlocked side (which isn't as perfect as the originals side) takes most of the songs to either a new level or gives you a different view. Keys is among your top 3 albums.
  6. nmarat
    Dec 23, 2021
    10
    Keys has a languid feel -- which is perhaps to be expected from an artist who, before she made her debut, was best known for her work on soundtracks -- and a loose, easygoing vibe that is, at times, more reminiscent of her occasional collaborator Maxwell than it is of any of the '90s R&B artists who had a hand in shaping her sound. Of course, Keys' profile was considerably higher thanKeys has a languid feel -- which is perhaps to be expected from an artist who, before she made her debut, was best known for her work on soundtracks -- and a loose, easygoing vibe that is, at times, more reminiscent of her occasional collaborator Maxwell than it is of any of the '90s R&B artists who had a hand in shaping her sound. Of course, Keys' profile was considerably higher than Maxwell's by the time she released her debut, and, apart from her production team, Keys also worked with a number of hitmakers on the album -- including, of course, Swizz Beatz and super-producers The Neptunes, but also R. Kelly, Carvin & Ivan, and Jermaine Dupri. Yet, while the most obvious influences aren't that important, because Keys' style isn't that derivative, the album isn't one long ballad, either. Instead, it's a mixture of slow jams, midtempo tunes, and, on "Dead End Road," a nice, slinky groove that finds Keys flirting with hip-hop. The big hit, "Fallin'," and the infectious "A Woman's Worth" both fall into the slow-jam category, as does "Never Felt This Way," but even there, Keys shows that she isn't a one-trick pony, since she brings a breathy sensuality to the songs that is more affecting than the sultry ballads of the time. And, of course, there's also the title track, a compelling, haunting ballad that is as much R&B as it is gospel, since it's about Keys' late father, who died when she was just two years old. Keys' early death-haunted songs, like "A Woman's Worth" and "Diary," were a little too self-consciously dramatic to fit her voice, but "Keys" is an affecting memorial to a parent, and it's a song that encapsulates the strengths of the entire album.… Expand
  7. someonewhocares
    Jul 9, 2022
    10
    KEYS is Alicia Keys' Greatest Album and one of the best R&B albums of all time. The fact there are two versions of most songs give the listener a chance to either love one version or the other if they didn't like the first version they heard. It's always good to have the same songs have different production as it may give a new aspect or feeling for a song for all the good reasons.
  8. jeffer21
    Dec 10, 2021
    8
    melodic, intimate, eclectic, modern, instrumentals and vocals more classy than ever, two sides of an album full of versatility and pure talent, this album is the nectar of r&b!
  9. LISOCHIKOTOSA
    Apr 7, 2022
    8
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Alicia is a great singer and she can do no wrong but the length here just dulls things that were otherwise very impactful… Expand

Awards & Rankings

92
#92 Most Discussed Album of 2021

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
65

Generally favorable reviews - based on 11 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 11
  3. Negative: 0 out of 11
  1. AllMusic
    Dec 22, 2021
    60
    Disc one is essentially a standard Alicia Keys LP, while the second disc is an album of remixes plus two more new songs. ... The latter half's new songs are two of the album's higher-profile collaborations: a tentative-sounding missed opportunity with Khalid and Lucky Daye, and an intoxicated duet with Swae Lee where Tyrone Davis' coasting 1979 hit "In the Mood" does most of the work.
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  2. Clash Music
    Dec 13, 2021
    70
    Literate and honest, it doesn’t always connect, yet with 90 minutes of music to explore it’s a project that demands time and patience to truly absorb.
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  3. The Observer (UK)
    Dec 13, 2021
    60
    There’s enough across both albums to keep fans happy, and that soulful voice is still a thing of wonder, but Keys has a strange hotchpotch feel to it.
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