Time Machine
Alicia Keys · 2019
4 min · 1 track · contemporary R&B
Alicia Keys blends soulful melodies with contemporary beats, creating a nostalgic yet fresh soundscape that invites listeners on a journey through time.
Top tracks — play these first
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Time Machine — This track serves as both the title and thematic anchor of the album, encapsulating the exploration of memory and desire through its catchy melody and relatable lyrics.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The song blends familiar R&B elements with personal themes, making it engaging but not.
What we noticed
- The track features a steady mid-tempo beat that drives the rhythm throughout, with layered vocal harmonies that build in intensity.
- The song's structure follows a traditional verse-chorus format, with a bridge that introduces a shift in dynamics before returning to the chorus.
- Lyrically, it employs vivid imagery and metaphors related to nostalgia, creating a reflective mood that complements the musical arrangement.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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8/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Little footprint beyond its audience. 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
- Deep Cut — Standalone single that showcases her evolving sound but isn't a primary album.
- Themes
- nostalgic soundscapes· empowerment through memory
- Moods
- Nostalgic· Introspective
- Career context
- Released as a standalone single in early 2019, 'Time Machine' marked Alicia Keys' return to the music scene after her 2016 album 'Here'. At this point in her career, she continued to explore themes of empowerment and self-reflection while embracing modern production techniques, showcasing her evolution as an artist.
- Stylistic neighbors
- John Legend· H.E.R.· Anderson .Paak
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Time Machine 4:31
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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