The artist I would give credit to for giving us one of the best modern classics with her signature song “Empire State of Mind” recently dropped her seventh album. Alicia Keys dropped “ALICIA” on May 15. The album has 15 songs on its track and has features from artists like Miguel and Khalid.

I thought her choice of featured artists on this album were great because I felt as if the artists and their voices flowed together really well on “So Done” and “Show Me Love.” This made their songs sound very smooth, and it had a great feel to listen to.

This album was very different as it incorporated lots of upbeat music and different beats that aren’t the usual vibes of Keys’s music. Carey HipHopper on Youtube commented how this album was “a new wave, nostalgic, yet futuristic.” I agree with this, because the beats and music were futuristic and sounded like modern hip hop. On the other hand, some of the music videos for her songs like “Lots Of Tempo” and “Show Me Love” gave a nostalgic vibe, much like music videos from the ‘90s.

Some of my favorite tracks from the album were “Authors of Forever” and “Underdog.” I felt as if these songs had lines that were so relatable and witty. From “Authors of Forever,” the line, “we are lost and lonely people, and we’re lookin’ for a reason, and it’s alright so let’s celebrate the dreamers” is great because it sheds a light on the fact that everyone can often feel like they are lost and they are unsure of where they are going. This should not pressure us and scare us to the point where we give up, but we should instead keep pushing through. And this is why her new album “ALICIA” is so special.

Of course Keys has always been inspiring with empowering music, but this new vibe and message of hope in her new music in such a hard part of all of our lives is truly inspirational.

A fan in the comments of her Youtube music video expressed how Key’s lyrics keep it real and she pushes positive outlooks through her music, encouraging fans to keep fighting and loving. Overall, this album screams love and humanity, which I think is very important, for an artist should show fans how to love and be humane.