Music Review: Alicia Keys "Brand New Me"

Alicia Keys

Brand New Me

Album: Girl On Fire

Year: 2012

             Alicia Keys has become a stronger person after dealing with criticism in the formidable “Brand New Me.”

                 A content piano opens the single, setting a serene tone. While out  to eat with her family, she encounters an old friend. Her friend’s mouth is agape, trying to hide her shock. She knows what the person is thinking: it wasn’t supposed to work out. She can remember her friend calling her a jump off. The judgement hurt for a while until she realized the friend’s opinion didn’t matter. Her friend said she found out about the marriage from a couple people. She nods, explaining she had gotten busy with work and had been wanting to call her with the news. (“It's been a while/I'm not who I was before/You look surprised/Your words don't burn me anymore/Been meanin' to tell ya/But I guess it's clear to see.”)

                   In the chorus, she and the continue to chat. It was a personal decision which the friend didn’t have a say. She did was what right for her. She lives for her family and it has given her a purpose. (“Don't be mad/It's just a brand new kinda me/Can't be bad/I found a brand new kinda free.”)

                   Within her former circle, the friend was one who was the center of attention and expected everyone to follow. However, when she met her then-husband, she was advised to find someone else. After hearing the gossiping about him and the cold stares she received, she left. She couldn’t let her friends dictate her life anymore.  She had hoped the reaction would be cheers and begging to hear stories. Instead, they chose to stop talking to her. Her friends had seen her struggle after breakups. Finally, she can be herself. (“Careful with your ego/He's the one that we should blame/Had to grab my heart back/God knows something had to change/I thought that you'd be happy/I found the one thing I need/Why you mad?/It's just a brand new kinda me.”)

                        In the bridge, she dated people who were approved by her friends. In those relationships, she put on an act. For years, she told herself she couldn’t let her relationships affect her work or that she didn’t have the time. Breaking away was eventual. Her friends were wrong to expect to remain the same person. (“It took a long, long time to get here/It took a brave, brave girl to try/It took one too many excuses, one too many lies/Don't be surprised, don't be surprised.”)

                    In meetings for work, she expresses her opinion even if it she knows it will be met with dissent. She can walk away with her head held high, knowing she’s thinking for herself and not in anyone else’s self-interest. She notices people are taken aback by her frankness. She lets them it’s not about them and they didn’t do anything. She has gone through a lot and won’t let anyone step on her. (“ If I talk a little louder/ If I speak up when you're wrong/If I walk a little taller/I've been under you too long/If you notice that I'm different/Don't take it personally/Don't be mad/It's just a brand new kinda me.”)

               The bridge is sung again.

              While talking with her old friend, she wonders if the person will run back to her former group, dishing on all the details or if she will call, wanting to see pictures from her wedding and hear about her family. The friend doesn’t have to give a long-winded apology, only reach out and accept her for who she is now/  She was lost and pretending to be someone she wasn’t.  Now, she’s at peace with herself. (“ Hey, if you were a friend/You'd wanna get to know me again/If you were worth the while/You'd be happy to see me smile/I'm not expecting sorry/I'm too busy finding myself/I got this/I found me, I found me, yeah.”)

          She no longers listens to whatever everyone else says or needs their approval. She’s human and shouldn’t be put on a pedestal. Not all decisions are black and white. There’s gray in between and unless the person is involved in the situation, they don’t know what’s really going on. (“ I don't need your opinion/
I'm not waiting for your "OK"/I'll never be perfect/But at least now I'm brave/I know my heart is open/I can finally breathe.”)

                        The final chorus ends the single. (“Don't be mad/It's just a brand new kinda free/That ain't bad/I found a brand new kinda me/Don't be mad/It's a brand new time for me.”)
 

               Keys’ intuitive, open  vocals are forgiving, refraining from spitting any venom while exchanging pleasantries. She opts to be bigger person, leaving the possibility of another chance at friendship.

                 The prim “Brand New Me” is yet another excellent single from Keys.