Released 10 years ago
Here
Alicia Keys · 2016
46 min · 16 tracks · contemporary R&B
Alicia Keys blends soulful melodies with deeply personal narratives, creating a reflective and empowering soundscape throughout the album.
Top tracks — play these first
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The Gospel Start here — accessible entry with immediate hook
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Kill Your Mama — This track stands out for its bold critique of societal norms regarding love and acceptance, merging infectious beats with a powerful vocal performance.
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Blended Family (What You Do for Love) — This song captures the complexity of modern familial relationships while highlighting the importance of love and unity, showcasing Keys' storytelling prowess.
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Illusion of Bliss — With its introspective lyrics and lush production, this track delves into the pursuit of happiness amidst life's challenges, reflecting the album's overarching themes.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends personal narratives with soulful melodies but struggles with cohesion due to its interlude-heavy structure.
What we noticed
- The lyrics often address themes of identity and social justice, with direct references to personal experiences and societal issues.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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6/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- 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
Known within its scene. 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.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- wave-like emotional ebb and flow
- intimate moments of vulnerability
- thoughtful reflections on relationships
- cathartic interludes enhancing depth
- late-night -searching atmosphere
Maybe skip if you
- seeking fast-paced instant gratification
- prefer standalone tracks over cohesion
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Critical Peak — The album is noted for its artistic depth and social commentary, reflecting a high point in her career.
- Themes
- modern family dynamics· societal critique· personal authenticity
- Moods
- Introspective· Melancholy
- Career context
- Released on November 4, 2016, Here marks Alicia Keys' sixth studio album, coming five years after her previous effort, Girl on Fire. This album signifies a return to her roots in soul and R&B, showcasing her artistic evolution during a period of personal growth and social awareness.
- Stylistic neighbors
- John Legend· H.E.R.· Anderson .Paak
Tracklist
- 1 The Beginning (interlude) 1:04
- 2 The Gospel Start here 3:01
- 3 Pawn It All 3:10
- 4 Elaine Brown (interlude) 0:50
- 5 Kill Your Mama 2:40
- 6 She Don’t Really Care_1 Luv 6:07
- 7 Elevate (interlude) 0:48
- 8 Illusion of Bliss 5:23
- 9 Blended Family (What You Do for Love) 3:31
- 10 Work on It 3:34
- 11 Cocoa Butter (Cross & Pic interlude) 0:59
- 12 Girl Can’t Be Herself 2:39
- 13 You Glow (interlude) 0:25
- 14 More Than We Know 4:35
- 15 Where Do We Begin Now 2:47
- 16 Holy War 4:22
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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