Keys is the eighth studio album by American singer and songwriter Alicia Keys, released through RCA Records on December 10, 2021. It was primarily produced by Keys. It was preceded by the release of two singles: “Lala (Unlocked)” featuring Swae Lee and “Best of Me”. The album was announced on October 27 and includes two discs (original and unlocked), with two versions of 10 tracks, along with six other tracks.
Keys is a double LP. The first part features the “Original” songs, that are more traditional and melodic. The second half of the album features the “Unlocked” versions of the same tracks, where Mike WiLL Made-It sampled the “Original” tracks and gave them stronger beats and several effects and transformations. Some songs exist only either in their “Original” or “Unlocked” version.
The album debuted at number 41 on the US Billboard 200, making it Keys’ first studio album to miss the top 5 in that country.
Originals
- “Plentiful” (featuring Pusha T) 3:08
- “Skydive” 3:04
- “Best of Me” 3:59
- “Dead End Road” 3:32
- “Is It Insane” 6:21
- “Billions” 3:19
- “Love When You Call My Name” 3:37
- “Only You” 3:15
- “Daffodils” 4:33
- “Old Memories” 2:59
- “Nat King Cole” 3:39
- “Paper Flowers” (featuring Brandi Carlile) 3:24
- “Like Water” 3:57
- “Keys” 1:25
Unlocked
- “Only You” 3:11
- “Skydive” 3:03
- “Best of Me” 3:43
- “Lala” (featuring Swae Lee) 4:31
- “Nat King Cole” (featuring Lil Wayne) 4:05
- “Is It Insane” 4:27
- “Come for Me” (featuring Khalid and Lucky Daye) 3:29
- “Old Memories” 3:52
- “Dead End Road” 3:32
- “Love When You Call My Name” 3:15
- “Daffodils” 3:04
- “Billions” 3:00
Alicia Keys – vocals (1–13), piano (1–12, 14), background vocals (2, 7–12), programming (2, 8, 10, 11), synthesizer (2, 3)
Ken Lewis – bass (1, 11), piano, strings (1); drum machine (2), guitar (3, 11), horn (11)
Dom Rivinius – drums (1, 3, 11), organ (1)
Raphael Saadiq – background vocals, piano (2, 7, 8); bass (2), keyboards (3), guitar (7, 8)
Fred Ball – bass, organ, piano, programming (4)
Steve Jordan – drums (5)
AraabMuzik – programming (6)
Adam Blackstone – bass (8–10)
Steve Wolf – drums (8–10)
Natalie Hemby – background vocals, piano (9, 10)
Tim Stewart – electric guitar (10)
Gabriel Vivas – bass (11)
Tyrone Johnson – guitar (11)
Marzeratti – programming (11)
Mike Will Made It – programming (11)
Davide Rossi – strings (11)
Brandi Carlile – background vocals, guitar (12)
Mark Batson – piano (13)
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