Empire State of Mind (Part II) Broken Down
Alicia Keys · 2010
7 min · 2 tracks · contemporary R&B
Soulful melodies intertwine with poignant lyrics, capturing the essence of urban ambition and personal reflection.
Top tracks — play these first
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Empire State of Mind, Part II: Broken Down — This track serves as a poignant reflection on the complexities of dreams and aspirations in New York City, blending personal storytelling with grand thematic elements.
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We're Almost There — This song captures a sense of perseverance and optimism, with Keys' vocals delivering an uplifting message that complements the overarching theme of striving for success.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The single showcases strong songwriting and vocal performance, though its impact is limited by its format.
What we noticed
- The primary track features a slow tempo with a prominent piano arrangement that supports the vocal delivery.
- Alicia Keys' vocal performance is layered with emotional nuance, emphasizing personal reflection and urban ambition.
- The second track serves as a contrasting piece, introducing a more upbeat rhythm while maintaining thematic continuity.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — The song solidified Alicia Keys' status as a prominent artist with widespread recognition.
- Themes
- New York City dreams· personal reflection
- Moods
- Introspective· Nostalgic
- Career context
- By the time Alicia Keys released 'Empire State of Mind (Part II) Broken Down,' she was already a Grammy-winning artist, following her critically acclaimed album 'The Element of Freedom' from 2009. This release marked her continued evolution as a solo artist and showcased her ability to convey deep emotion through both songwriting and performance.
- Stylistic neighbors
- John Legend· H.E.R.· Anderson .Paak
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Empire State of Mind, Part II: Broken Down 3:36
- 2 We're Almost There 3:35
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Get Lifted
John Legend
Shares soulful melodies and themes of ambition and personal growth in an urban context.
Blonde
Frank Ocean
Explores introspective lyrics and modern production, reflecting on identity and emotional depth.
The ArchAndroid
Janelle Monáe
Combines soulful vocals with rich storytelling that captures dreams and personal evolution in a vibrant setting.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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