“I describe it like a Saturday and a Sunday,” the Grammy-winning musician tells EW.
It’s an incredible experience."
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: When and how did the idea forKeyscome about?
R&B icon Alicia Keys will release her unique new album ‘Keys’ on Dec. 10.Amanda Charchian
Are you stuck in the house just creating everything?"
And I actually wasn’t.
I didn’t feel creative at all.
One side of Alicia Keys' new album ‘Keys’ will be titled ‘Originals.'.YouTube Originals
I had lost my center and didn’t really know how to find peace.
Obviously, we couldn’t tour and do all the normal things that we could do.
So I did get right back in and I knew that I wanted to do this album calledKeys.
Another side of Alicia Keys’ new album ‘Keys’ will be titled ‘Unlocked.'.YouTube Originals
I’ve known it for years.
It’s so grounded in songwriting and raw expression.
I didn’t worry about production.
I didn’t worry about anything.
It was all about the piano and creating songs that made you feel.
And as we were creating, it did actually flow pretty effortlessly.
And when I connected with Mike Will, it was instant vibes.
That’s literally the concept ofKeys.
SoKeysis the whole body of work.
The version ofKeysI listened to had the two playlists with the songs in two different orders.
Will that be the case for the final version?
How do you determine the different orders of the tracklists?
Yeah, they are two different orders.
But when you listen to it, you do happen to want to hear it in two different ways.
The order that I put the “Originals” in is not the best order for “Unlocked.”
And in regards to the order, it just depended on what would be the best listening experience.
You’re going to flip flop between “Originals” and “Unlocked.”
I’d say “Best of Me” fits that description of subtle changes.
Yes, it’s my favorite song.
The zone on this song is so transportive.
You’re just transported to a whole other realm when you listen to this.
So yeah, both [versions] will be released.
And so people were asking, “Unlocked?
What does that mean?”
And obviously now we get to introduce them to exactly what it meant.
It seems like the project really taps into your producer mind.
Is that something you wanted to convey to the listeners?
Maybe help train their ears, and get them thinking about the way music is made?
So at this point I’m like, “F— it.”
The more that you listen to it, the more that you uncover about it.
And that’s a bit how I want this wholeKeysworld to feel, like it’s like an earworm.
Similar to the way the live experiences are going to be.
All of it is going to be quite magical and unique.
Something that you get to peel away the layers to.
How do you want people to listen toKeys?
It’s really cool to see how the listener would want to experience it.
And then there’s other people that just want to let it ride out.
So I like that you’re free to choose your own adventure.
Are there songs that are exclusive to either side?
And that’s just how it actually worked out.
I like that though, because I think that’s an interesting experience as well.
It’s just perfect like that.
You get to explore, and it doesn’t become mundane.
It’s always unexpected.
One thing you did recently that really gave fans a preview ofKeysis your YouTube seriesNoted.
Would you say that project is an essential preface for this album?
It really is a preview in a lot of ways.
Because the whole album and concept is really an invitation to be your most unexpected.
To be completely who you are without holding back, without dimming it down.
To be extravagant, be over the top.
And I think a lot of us feel that.
Take me or leave me."
And I’ve finally come to the place where that’s where I am.
So thatNotedseries really was a peek into how I’ve arrived at that place.
Because I’ve been able to let go of all those things that ever held me back.
Do you have a song that you’re excited for people to hear from either or both playlists?
And then the “Unlocked” version of “Only You” is completely not what you expect.
It starts out with those few chords and then it goes crazy.
It’s very exciting to see how that complete difference is also available in this project.
Do you seeKeysas being in conversation withSongs In A Minor?
It’s definitely the culmination of everything, for sure.
But I have to say, it really does connect me back toSongs in A Minor.
And that’s why it was so serendipitous that we celebrated such a milestone withSongs in A Minorthis summer.
And here, on December 10th, you’re going to hear theKeysrecord really ground it back into that.
That girl from New York City playing this piano.
This is my home.
Me and the piano, we live together.
And definitely to our journey together, and to music.
So it is connected to that.
It’s almost like the 360.
Coming right back, but in a more evolved, confident, unstoppable way.
