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Girl On Fire is Alicia Keys’ first real attempt to reinvent herself, after hinting at a new direction on 2009’s The Element Of Freedom.
Since then she has got married and become a mother. Her husband, hip-hop producer Swizz Beatz co-produced her comeback single with Dr.Dre this summer but the celebratory, reggae tinged 'New Day' did not give much insight into the sound of the next album.
Keys achieved and maintained her success by creating timeless soul songs alongside her production partner Kerry ‘Krucial’ Brothers, who is absent entirely from Girl On Fire. In his place there are an array of big name producers from Jamie XX to Babyface. Usually this would create a mixed bag of ideas and sounds, but Keys manages to, for the most part, keep the focus.
The album has been promoted upon its release by the lead single 'Girl On Fire', of which three versions were recorded. The cut that made the album is the Nicki Minaj featuring version, a track that should have been left as a single remix. The original is typically big, sampling the drums from Billy Squier’s 'Big Beat', and carried by an equally big vocal from Keys. That she chose to omit this version for the album in favour of the in your face Minaj version (she tries to be subtle, but can’t) shows a conscious decision to either reach a younger audience or show that she can mix it with today’s pop stars. The rest of the album shows why she does not need to do either of these.
Unlike the two singles, much of Girl On Fire has a slow-burning style that Keys clearly relishes, often accompanied by minimalist drum beats. On 'When It’s All Over', Jamie XX applies the production technique he has used so successfully with Drake, creating a Sade-like sound and the beautiful Frank Ocean co-write 'One Thing' is in a similar vein. There are other departures from this style, some welcomed, (Bruno Mars featuring, Motown sing-along, 'Tears Aways Win') some not, (the attempt at reggae on 'Limitedless').
The highlight of the album though is undoubtedly the duet with soul-crooner Maxwell. 'Fire We Make' is a sophisticated slow jam on which they trade breathy vocals whilst an electric guitar creates the groove. Anytime two big voices collaborate there is a risk, but here two of the greatest soul voices of the last 20 years do not fail to deliver.
In fact, Girl On Fire delivers from start to finish. For her most mature album to date, Keys’ seems to be having the most fun. Aside from a couple of missteps the album is a success, mature yet catchy, mellow but never dull.
