Brand New Me (Alicia Keys song)

"Brand New Me"
Single by Alicia Keys
from the album Girl on Fire
Released November 19, 2012 (2012-11-19)
Recorded
Genre R&B
Length 3:53
Label RCA
Writer(s)
Producer(s) Alicia Keys
Alicia Keys singles chronology
"Girl on Fire"
(2012)		 "Brand New Me"
(2012)		 "New Day"
(2013)

"Brand New Me" is a song recorded by American singer-songwriter Alicia Keys for her fifth studio album, Girl on Fire (2012). It was sent to radio by RCA Records on November 19, 2012 as the album's second official single. It was co-written by Keys and Scottish singer-songwriter Emeli Sandé. A follow-up to Keys' previous single "Girl on Fire", "Brand New Me" is a soft ballad, which Keys credits as her autobiography. Lyrically, the song is about personal growth and becoming a brand new version of yourself.[1] It has been met with positive reviews. Keys has performed the song on several occasions including the iTunes Festival of 2012 and VH1 Storytellers.

Background and release

"There may be people in your life that knew you for a long time and they think of you only as the person you used to be and not the person you now are! And this song is a conversation introducing them to the new you. Where nothing can hold you back and no one can hold you down!"

—Alicia Keys, on the song's concept[2]

Girl on Fire is Keys' fifth studio album and a follow-up to The Element of Freedom (2009).[3] It is her first release under RCA Records, after a re-organization at parent company Sony Music Entertainment led to her previous label J Records roster being absorbed into RCA.[4] After 2009, Keys got married to record producer and rapper Swizz Beatz, became a mother, began co-managing her own career, produced and directed both a Broadway Play and short film, in addition to designing a line of trainers for Reebok.[4] Speaking on how the events of the last three years inspired her during an interview with Billboard, Keys stated: "These last three years have been the most in every way. The most newest, the most difficult, the most loving, the most dream-filled, the most breaking free ... an entire crazy dynamic of lessons and emotions to grow into and claim."[4]

On November 10, 2012, Keys posted the link for the audio of "Brand New Me"[5] while also tweeting the song's official artwork.[6] She confirmed that it is the second single from Girl on Fire,[5] stating: "'Brand New Me' is one of my favourites, it's going to be my second single and to me it's like my autobiography. It says everything about everywhere that I've come and who I am now. It's about being completely happy with finding yourself."[7] The song's audio was uploaded to Keys' official VEVO channel.[5] It impacted urban adult contemporary radio on November 19.[8]

Composition

Keys called working with Emeli Sandé "instant magic".

"Brand New Me" is a pop piano ballad with a duration of three minutes and fifty-three seconds (3:53), which is described as "delicate".[9][10] Keys co-wrote the song with Scottish recording artist and writer Emeli Sandé. The pair had previously collaborated on Sandé's album, Our Version of Events (2012) for a song entitled "Hope". Sandé explained: "Writing with Alicia Keys was really great. I was nervous, but she’s a very warm person. She knew how to make people feel at ease."[11] They also collaborated on two other songs from Girl on Fire. Of working with Sandé, Keys called it "instant magic" stating: "I have to say, myself and Emeli Sande – when we met and we really began to write together, it was instant magic and that doesn't happen all the time."[7][12]

Lyrically, the song speaks about growing and evolving.[5] Keys sings about being a brand new version of herself, where nobody has control of her mind, heart and soul.[1] On her official website, the singer wrote: "Brand new me is about the journey it takes to get to a place where you are proud to be a new you."[5] She sings over the soft piano melody: "It's been awhile, I'm not who I was before/You look surprised your words don't burn me anymore/Been meaning to tell ya, but I guess it's plain to see/Don't be mad, it's just a brand-new kinda me/Can't be bad, I've found a brand-new kinda free."[1] According to Andy Kellman of Allmusic, Keys regards "Brand New Me" as her autobiography.[13]

Critical reception

Melissa Maerz of Entertainment Weekly called the song "triumphant" and wrote that Keys "shows off her trills and her cocky attitude".[14] X. Alexander of Idolator wrote: "We like Alicia Keys just the way she’s always been, but if she wants to be a 'Brand New Me' more power to her" and called the song "a graceful piano ballad of the sort we know and love from Alicia."[9] Carl Williott, also from Idolator, praised the track for not being generic, calling it: "the restrained type of pop song that’s becoming harder to find amidst the deluge of hyper-processed vocals and pseudo-dubstep."[10] Mark Edward Nero of About.com praised the song for its empowering message of independence and compared it to her previous single, "Girl on Fire", writing: "Although the song couldn't be more different from the album's title track when it comes to tone and mood, the two songs share a theme of self-empowerment and independence."[1] Scott Shetler of PopCrush noted Keys' vocals to be "breathy".[2] Keenan Higgins of Vibe wrote that it is lyrically "one of her most powerful & inspirational songs to date" and said: "Be prepared to feel a boost of self-worth and intense inspiration with the sound of Alicia's crisp, confident vocals."[15]

Music video

The music video premiered on BET's 106 & Park on December 17, 2012.[16] The music video, directed by Diane Martel, depicts Keys' "quest of self-discovery".[17] The video opens with Keys looking uncomfortable as she sits down at her piano while "getting her a massive mop of curls prepped before a shoot". The director shows her affection, but she pulls away. Following her shoot, Keys strolls around the music video set in a quest for "self-discovery" and at one point is seen viewing herself in a handful of mirrors. She then rips off her curly "huge" wig, revealing her own hair. During the video, Keys wore a black catsuit with a "plunging neckline".[17] The clip ends with a smiling Keys returning to her piano as herself, as a note that says "The journey continues..." appears.[18]

Jennifer Pearson of Daily Mail noted the clip to be an "emotional frenzy" as a liberated Keys "sings it out, finally free of her voluminous tresses." Pearson said "she grabs her curly hair and – surprise – tears it off and flings it across the darkened studio. That's when you realise it's just a wig and not her real hair at all."[17] Rolling Stone called the music video a "triumphant turn at reinvention" from Keys.[18] David Greenwald of Billboard said Keys is "starting a fresh story" with "style to match".[19]

Live performances

Keys premiered the track at the iTunes Festival with a live performance on September 28, 2012, along with another new track from the album entitled "Not Even the King".[9] A writer from the website Idolator commented that it was the best part of her set at the festival.[9] On October 16, she performed the song during the 'City Advantage Love the Journey Concert' at Lincoln Center's Avery Fisher Hall in New York City. Georgette Cline of AOL reported that her performance of "Brand New Me" earned her a standing ovation from the crowd.[20]

On November 12, Keys performed the song on VH1 Storytellers, as well as "Not Even the King" and other songs. Josh Stillman of Entertainment Weekly praised her appearance on the show as a whole; he wrote: "She carries herself onstage with cool and confidence – not showy or attention-seeking, merely comfortable – and speaks in a voice so smooth you could drape it over your shoulders."[21] He noted that Keys was backed by a six-piece band for songs such as "No One" and "If I Ain't Got You", but stripped down the mood for the "passionate solo renditions" of "Not Even the King" and "Brand New Me".[21] Keys has announced plans to tour the UK in May 2013, and has confirmed that "Brand New Me" is on the setlist along with several other songs from Girl on Fire as well as her older hits.[22]

Official remix

In celebration of her thirty-second birthday, Keys released a remix of "Brand New Me" entitled "BNM Part 2", on January 25, 2013. Speaking about the remix and her birthday, Keys said: "I’ve been so overwhelmed by all of your birthday love that I HAD to do something extra special for you! Love to you!!!"[23] The up-tempo dance-inspired remix samples "Gypsy Woman (She's Homeless)" (1991) by American recording artist Crystal Waters.[23] Vibe commented that the remix is a "definite departure" from the original song and features "highly stylized elements and a lot of bleeps and pops".[24] Jake Updegraff writing for RyanSeacrest.com noted that the remix version "has an upbeat tone to it that makes the song much different from the original".[25] Complex wrote that Keys sings "in a up-tempo fashion" and described the production as "funky" and "techno".[26]

On January 31, 2013 Keys invited husband Swizz Beatz and close friend Jada Pinkett Smith to Brooklyn in New York City to film a music video for the remix.[27] In the scenes, Pinkett Smith wears a "high-waist white skirt which she teamed with a sheer black leotard" which is accessorized with "a chunky gold chain necklace and large hoop earrings, also wearing high top trainers with gem decorations at the back Keys meanwhile wears a military-inspired outfit.[27] It is the second time that Pinkett Smith has appeared in a music video for one of Keys' songs, previously appearing with her son Jaden in the video for the 2008 single "Superwoman".[27] It was directed by Taj Stansberry.[28] The video remains unreleased; Keys continued to promote Girl on Fire, releasing music videos for "New Day", "Fire We Make" and "Tears Always Win".

Track listing and formats

Digital download[29]
No. Title Length
1. "Brand New Me"   3:53
Official streaming remix[23]
No. Title Length
1. "Brand New Me" (Part II) 3:09

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from the Girl on Fire liner notes.[30]

Recording
Personnel

  • Lead vocals, background vocals, production, piano – Alicia Keys
  • Vocal recording – Ann Mincieli
  • Vocal mixing – Manny Marroquin
  • Mixing assistant – Chris Galland
  • Songwriting – Alicia Keys, Emeli Sandé
  • Assistant vocal engineers – Val Brathwaite, Ramon Rivas

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2012–13) Peak
position
scope="row"Belgium (Ultratip Flanders)[31] 18
scope="row"Belgium (Ultratip Wallonia)[32] 32
scope="row"Israel (Media Forest)[33] 7
scope="row"Netherlands (Single Top 100)[34] 64
South Korea International Singles (Gaon)[35] 35
scope="row" US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles (Billboard)[36] 3
scope="row" US Adult R&B Songs (Billboard)[37] 7
scope="row" US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[38] 37

Year-end charts

Chart (2013) Position
US R&B Songs[39] 40

Release history

Region Date Format Label
United States November 19, 2012[8][40] Urban airplay RCA Records
Australia November 29, 2012[41] Mainstream airplay
Italy November 30, 2012[42] Sony Music

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Edward Nero, Mark (November 11, 2012). "New Music: Alicia Keys – 'Brand New Me'". About. The New York Times Company. Retrieved November 20, 2012.
  2. 1 2 Shetler, Scott (November 8, 2012). "Alicia Keys Unveils New Piano Ballad 'Brand New Me'". Popcrush. Townsquare Media. Retrieved November 20, 2012.
  3. ↑ Martinovic, Paul (August 15, 2012). "Alicia Keys reveals new album title 'Girl on Fire' in message to fans". Digital Spy. Hachette Filipacchi UK. Retrieved November 21, 2012.
  4. 1 2 3 Mitchell, Gail (November 2, 2012). "Alicia Keys' 'Girl on Fire': The Billboard Cover Story". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved November 19, 2012.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 Keys, Alicia (November 10, 2012). "Listen to Alicia's New Single "Brand New Me"". aliciakeys.com. Retrieved November 20, 2012.
  6. ↑ Keys, Alicia (November 9, 2012). "Blessed2share new track off #AKGirlOnFire, #BrandNewMe. This song is my autobiography SendingLuv!". Twitter. Retrieved November 20, 2012.
  7. 1 2 "Alicia Keys and Emeli Sande make magic music". Xposé. www.tv3.ie. November 15, 2012. Retrieved November 20, 2012.
  8. 1 2 "Alicia Keys – Brand New Me" (Graphic Interchange Format). RCA Records. Retrieved November 21, 2012.
  9. 1 2 3 4 Alexander, X (September 29, 2012). "Alicia Keys Performs Brand New Track "Brand New Me" At iTunes Festival". Idolator. Buzz Media. Retrieved November 20, 2012.
  10. 1 2 Williot, Carl (November 9, 2012). "Alicia Keys' "Brand New Me": Hear The Album Version". Idolator. Buzz Media. Retrieved November 20, 2012.
  11. ↑ Gavin, Martin (February 10, 2012). "Rising star Emeli Sandé on her debut album". Daily Mirror. Trinity Mirror. Retrieved November 20, 2012.
  12. ↑ "Alicia Keys – Alicia Keys and Emeli Sande make magic music". contactmusic.com. November 15, 2012. Retrieved November 20, 2012.
  13. ↑ Kellman, Andy. "Girl on Fire – Alicia Keys : Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards : Allmusic". Allmusic. All Media Guide. Retrieved November 20, 2012.
  14. ↑ Maerz, Melissa (November 20, 2012). "Girl on Fire – review – Alicia Keys Review". Entertainment Weekly. Time Warner. Retrieved November 21, 2012.
  15. ↑ Higgins, Keenan (November 9, 2012). "New Music: Alicia Keys – "Brand New Me" | Vibe". Vibe. InterMedia Partners. Retrieved November 20, 2012.
  16. ↑ "Video: Alicia Keys – 'Brand New Me'". Rap-Up.com. December 17, 2012. Retrieved July 22, 2013.
  17. 1 2 3 Pearson, Jennifer (December 18, 2012). "Alicia Keys goes back to her roots with curly locks in Brand New Me video... as she shows off her figure in plunging neckline". Daily Mail. London: Associated Newspapers Ltd. Retrieved December 18, 2012.
  18. 1 2 "Alicia Keys Finds Liberation in 'Brand New Me' Clip". Rolling Stone. Jann Wenner. December 18, 2012. Retrieved December 18, 2012.
  19. ↑ Greenwald, David (December 18, 2012). "Alicia Keys Bows New Looks in 'Brand New Me' Video: Watch". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved December 18, 2012.
  20. ↑ Cline, Georgette (October 16, 2012). "Alicia Keys Offers a Sonic Journey With 'Girl on Fire' at New York's Lincoln Center". TheBoomBox.com. (AOL Music). Retrieved November 10, 2012.
  21. 1 2 Stillman, Josh (November 12, 2012). "On the Scene: Alicia Keys' VH1 Storytellers". Entertainment Weekly. Time Warner. Retrieved November 20, 2012.
  22. ↑ Adejobi, Alicia (November 19, 2012). "Alicia Keys Announces First UK Tour Since Giving Birth To Son Egypt". Entertainmentwise. Gigwise. Retrieved November 20, 2012.
  23. 1 2 3 "New Music – Alicia Keys – BNM – Brand New Me Part 2". Rap-up. SPIN Music Group, A division of Buzz Media. January 25, 2013. Retrieved February 3, 2013.
  24. ↑ Vibe (January 25, 2013). "New Music: Alicia Keys - "Brand New Me Part 2"". Vibe. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
  25. ↑ Updegraff, Jake (January 29, 2013). "Listen to Alicia Key's New Song "BNM Part 2"". RyanSeacrest.com. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
  26. ↑ Frydenlund, Zahc (Jan 26, 2013). "Listen: Alicia Keys "Brand New Me Part 2"". Complex. Retrieved 16 November 2014.
  27. 1 2 3 Leah Simpson (February 1, 2013). "Alicia Keys recruits husband Swizz Beatz and Jada Pinkett Smith for her new music video... and little Egypt comes too | Mail Online". London: Dailymail.co.uk. Retrieved July 22, 2013.
  28. ↑ "Alicia Keys "Brand New Me Part 2" (TAJ, Dir.)". VideoStatic. February 15, 2013. Retrieved July 22, 2013.
  29. ↑ "Alicia Keys: Girl On Fire (2012): CD". HMV. Retrieved November 27, 2012.
  30. ↑ Keys, Alicia (2012). Girl on Fire (Album booklet). Alicia Keys. New York City: RCA Records.
  31. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Alicia Keys – Brand New Me" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved November 17, 2013.
  32. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Alicia Keys – Brand New Me" (in French). Ultratip. Retrieved November 17, 2013.
  33. ↑ "Alicia Keys – Brand New Me Media Forest". Israeli Airplay Chart. Media Forest. Retrieved November 17, 2013.
  34. ↑ "Dutchcharts.nl – Alicia Keys – Brand New Me" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved November 17, 2013.
  35. ↑ "South Korea Gaon International Chart (Week: November 18, 2012 to November 24, 2012)". Gaon Chart. December 15, 2012. Archived from the original on December 19, 2012. Retrieved December 21, 2012.
  36. ↑ "Alicia Keys – Chart history" Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 for Alicia Keys. Retrieved June 27, 2013.
  37. ↑ "Alicia Keys – Chart history" Billboard Adult R&B Songs for Alicia Keys. Retrieved June 3, 2015.
  38. ↑ "Alicia Keys – Chart history" Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs for Alicia Keys. Retrieved November 17, 2013.
  39. ↑ "R&B Songs: 2013 Year-End Charts". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
  40. ↑ "Single – Brand New Me". Frequency News. Retrieved July 22, 2013.
  41. ↑ "New Songs At Radio This Week". Auspop. November 29, 2012. Retrieved November 17, 2013.
  42. ↑ Spada, Valentina. "Alicia Keys – Brand New Me (Sony)" (in Italian). Radio Airplay SRL. Retrieved November 17, 2013.

External links

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