Alicia Keys

Looks like Alicia Keys has done it again. Complete with easily relatable subject matter, amazing piano performances, and—as always—astounding vocals, the R&B artist’s new album, “As I Am,” is sure to be a hit. On her third studio recording, she presents a newly-inspired strength and reveals herself to be a fresh, more confident Alicia. It’s a feel-good album that’s honest, probably best described as a slap in the face to wake up and enjoy life no matter what. “As I Am” is absolutely refreshing.

Throughout the album, Keys takes an optimistic stance on everything she sings about. And if you’re that girl who needs to dump your untrustworthy boyfriend, Alicia Keys can show you how. Dismissing an untrustworthy man on “Go Ahead,” Keys sings, “Go ahead / Go on and get up outta here / Go ‘head baby… / If you think I’m gonna fall for this anymore / Everybody say nah nah nah.” You tell him, girl.

Alicia’s strength—along with her determination to overcome adversity and prevail—is motivational. In her song “Lesson Learned,” featuring John Mayer, overcoming the “falls” of life is the main subject. The two sing, “Falling down ain’t falling down if you don’t cry when you hit the floor.” Keys and Mayer present a simple and hopeful perspective on the bad times in life: They won’t get you down if you don’t let them.

But what would an Alicia Keys album be without the topic of still-true love? In the album’s first single, “No One,” which has already claimed the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100, Keys sings, “You and me together / Through the days and nights / I don’t worry ‘cause everything’s gonna be alright / …No one, no one, no one can get in the way of what I’m feeling.” Apparently, nothing and no one can get Alicia Keys down, and her positive attitude will undoubtedly rub off on any one who listens to “As I Am.”

At every turn, this album seems to become more and more inspirational. The idea of seizing both life and the moment prevails over and over again. In the songs “Tell You Something” and “Like You’ll Never See Me Again,” Keys passionately sings about taking opportunities to tell the people you care about how much you love them.

Keys concludes the album appropriately with “Sure Looks Good to Me.” She sings, “Life is bittersweet but it tastes good to me / Take my turn, crash and burn, that’s how it’s supposed to be / Don’t rain on my parade / Life’s too short to waste one day.” A fitting conclusion to such an uplifting album.

“As I Am” aims to open eyes to a new way of viewing life. Dump those dishonest lovers, take the falls, and seize the opportunities to tell someone you love them. This album is fantastically revitalizing and it will surely help Keys stay at the top for a long time.