Jump to content

New Day (Alicia Keys song): Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
Line 25: Line 25:


On 23 September 2011, she performed at ''iHeart Music Festival'' and sang her new song "A Place Of My Own", which will be present in her fifth studio album.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://idolator.com/6024002/alicia-keys-debuts-a-place-of-my-own |title=Alicia Keys Debuts “A Place Of My Own” At iHeartRadio Music Festival|work=Idolator |publisher=Buzzmedia |location= United States|date=24 September 2011 |accessdate=24 November 2011}}</ref> On 7 October 2011, [[RCA Music Group]] announced it was disbanding [[J Records]] along with [[Arista Records]] and [[Jive Records]]. With the shutdown, Keys (and all other artists previously signed to those three labels) will release her future material on RCA Records.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/industry/record-labels/rca-s-new-executive-team-named-under-ceo-1005324782.story | title=RCA's New Executive Team Named Under CEO Peter Edge Amid Layoffs | publisher=Nielsen Business Media | work=Billboard | date=23 August 2011 | accessdate=24 November 2011 | author=Christman, Ed | location=United States}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.fmqb.com/article.asp?id=2268707 |title=Unveiling The New Look RCA Records|work=FMQB|publisher=Friday Morning Quarterback Album Report, Inc.|location=United States |date=23 August 2011 |accessdate=24 November 2011}}</ref> On 18 February 2012, Keys performed "Send Me an Angel" at [[Whitney Houston]]'s memorial at the New Hope Baptist Church in Newark, New Jersey.<ref>{{cite web|last=Kleinman|first=Jacob|title=Whitney Houston Funeral: Alicia Keys Performs "Prelude To A Kiss"|url=http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/300933/20120218/whintey-houston-funeral-alicia-keys-angel-video.htm|publisher=International Business Times|accessdate=19 February 2012}}</ref> On 27 April 2012, she debuted a new song titled "Not Even the King" during MTV Upfront. On 28 June 2012, Keys officially released "New Day" online, and she previewed the song earlier in the day.<ref name="rolling"/><ref name=lat1>{{cite news|last=Kennedy|first=Gerrick D.|title=Alicia Keys teases new album with 'New Day'|url=http://articles.latimes.com/2012/jun/28/entertainment/la-et-ms-alicia-keys-debuts-new-day-20120628|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|publisher=[[Tribune Company]]|accessdate=1 July 2012|location=Los Angeles|date=28 June 2012}}</ref>
On 23 September 2011, she performed at ''iHeart Music Festival'' and sang her new song "A Place Of My Own", which will be present in her fifth studio album.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://idolator.com/6024002/alicia-keys-debuts-a-place-of-my-own |title=Alicia Keys Debuts “A Place Of My Own” At iHeartRadio Music Festival|work=Idolator |publisher=Buzzmedia |location= United States|date=24 September 2011 |accessdate=24 November 2011}}</ref> On 7 October 2011, [[RCA Music Group]] announced it was disbanding [[J Records]] along with [[Arista Records]] and [[Jive Records]]. With the shutdown, Keys (and all other artists previously signed to those three labels) will release her future material on RCA Records.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/industry/record-labels/rca-s-new-executive-team-named-under-ceo-1005324782.story | title=RCA's New Executive Team Named Under CEO Peter Edge Amid Layoffs | publisher=Nielsen Business Media | work=Billboard | date=23 August 2011 | accessdate=24 November 2011 | author=Christman, Ed | location=United States}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.fmqb.com/article.asp?id=2268707 |title=Unveiling The New Look RCA Records|work=FMQB|publisher=Friday Morning Quarterback Album Report, Inc.|location=United States |date=23 August 2011 |accessdate=24 November 2011}}</ref> On 18 February 2012, Keys performed "Send Me an Angel" at [[Whitney Houston]]'s memorial at the New Hope Baptist Church in Newark, New Jersey.<ref>{{cite web|last=Kleinman|first=Jacob|title=Whitney Houston Funeral: Alicia Keys Performs "Prelude To A Kiss"|url=http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/300933/20120218/whintey-houston-funeral-alicia-keys-angel-video.htm|publisher=International Business Times|accessdate=19 February 2012}}</ref> On 27 April 2012, she debuted a new song titled "Not Even the King" during MTV Upfront. On 28 June 2012, Keys officially released "New Day" online, and she previewed the song earlier in the day.<ref name="rolling"/><ref name=lat1>{{cite news|last=Kennedy|first=Gerrick D.|title=Alicia Keys teases new album with 'New Day'|url=http://articles.latimes.com/2012/jun/28/entertainment/la-et-ms-alicia-keys-debuts-new-day-20120628|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|publisher=[[Tribune Company]]|accessdate=1 July 2012|location=Los Angeles|date=28 June 2012}}</ref>

During an interview on the 2012 [[BET Awards]], Swizz Beatz commented that Keys was "in [a] whole new creative place, the chorus of ‘It's a new day' speaks of everything."<ref name=hhw>{{cite web|last=Muhammad|first=Latifah|title=Exclusive: Swizz Beatz Talks Alicia Keys "New Day" Collaboration|url=http://hiphopwired.com/2012/07/02/exclusive-swizz-beatz-talks-alicia-keys-new-day-collaboration-video/|publisher=Hip Hop Wired|accessdate=4 July 2012|date=2 July 2012}}</ref> Beatz further added that "It's a new day for music. It's a new day for her spiritually, mentally. The concept is celebrating life, and that's just the beginning of it. People are going to see how many parts of that record are going to come alive."<ref name=bet1>{{cite news|last=García|first=Courtney|title=2012 BET Awards: Swizz Beatz says more new Alicia Keys music on the way|url=http://blog.zap2it.com/pop2it/2012/07/2012-bet-awards-swizz-beatz-says-more-new-alicia-keys-music-on-the-way.html|work=Zap2it|publisher=Tribune Media Services, Inc|accessdate=4 July 2012|location=United States|date=2 July 2012}}</ref> He also described her upcoming yet-to-be-titled fifth studio album as "timeless,", and said that "fans should be on the look out for new pieces any day now."<ref name=bet1/>
{{clear}}
{{clear}}


Revision as of 15:33, 4 July 2012

"New Day"
Song

"New Day" is a song by American recording artist Alicia Keys. Produced by Keys' husband Swizz Beatz, the song showcases a musical departure from the previous single by the singer, with a more upbeat sound led by drums and percussion, instead of her classical R&B sound. On the song, Keys sings about "touching the sky and not letting chances go to waste". It received praise from music critics, who complimented the new musical direction, as well as criticizing the downgrade of Keys' "powerhouse voice" in favor of percussion, and was named as to be her "most powerful number to date".

Background

"New Day" is the fourth unreleased new song Keys had unveiled as of June 2012.

In May 2009, Swizz Beatz announced that he and Keys were romantically involved while he was still married to his first wife,[1] and in May 2010, a representative for Keys and Swizz Beatz confirmed that they were engaged and expecting a child together.[2] During the time of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, the couple took part of a union and had the unborn child blessed in a Zulu ceremony, which took place in the Illovo suburb of Johannesburg, South Africa.[3] Keys and Beatz were married on the French island of Corsica on 31 July 2010.[4][5] On 14 October 2010, Keys gave birth to a son, Egypt Daoud Ibarr Dean, in New York City.[6]

On 23 September 2011, she performed at iHeart Music Festival and sang her new song "A Place Of My Own", which will be present in her fifth studio album.[7] On 7 October 2011, RCA Music Group announced it was disbanding J Records along with Arista Records and Jive Records. With the shutdown, Keys (and all other artists previously signed to those three labels) will release her future material on RCA Records.[8][9] On 18 February 2012, Keys performed "Send Me an Angel" at Whitney Houston's memorial at the New Hope Baptist Church in Newark, New Jersey.[10] On 27 April 2012, she debuted a new song titled "Not Even the King" during MTV Upfront. On 28 June 2012, Keys officially released "New Day" online, and she previewed the song earlier in the day.[11][12]

During an interview on the 2012 BET Awards, Swizz Beatz commented that Keys was "in [a] whole new creative place, the chorus of ‘It's a new day' speaks of everything."[13] Beatz further added that "It's a new day for music. It's a new day for her spiritually, mentally. The concept is celebrating life, and that's just the beginning of it. People are going to see how many parts of that record are going to come alive."[14] He also described her upcoming yet-to-be-titled fifth studio album as "timeless,", and said that "fans should be on the look out for new pieces any day now."[14]

Composition

"New Day"
A 14-second sample of "New Day", with Alicia Keys singing the bridge and first verse of the chorus, with heavily processed vocals alongside a percussion background: a change of musical style attributed to her husband and producer of the song, Swizz Beatz.
Problems playing this file? See media help.

"New Day" is a contemporary R&B song with house and reggae influences,[15][16] and a duration of four minutes and four seconds, which was produced by Keys' husband Swizz Beatz.[15] The song is structured by "rat-a-tat drums"[11] and a beat that "springs back and forth" alongside some "piano flourishes" that adds "a bit of seriousness" to the song.[17] On a YouTube message, the singer said: "I got something fresh for you, something fresh for the summer. I’m feeling good, and I’m thinking.", moments prior to releasing the song.[12]

On "New Day", Keys sings about "touching the sky and not letting chances go to waste",[17] singing: "There's no limitation, no / Fill up your life / Let me see your hands up."[18] On the theme of the song, Keys expressed that for her, "a new day is the possibility to chose how to create the life of your dreams and letting no one to stop you."[19] Jenna Hally Rubenstein from MTV noted that the song is "clearly inspired" by the experiences and feelings the singer had about her son, Egypt.[18] She further added that "In short, 'New Day' is a strong start to what will hopefully be a banger of an album."[18]

Amy Sciaretto from PopCrush compared the song with Beyoncé's "Run the World (Girls)" (2011), commenting that "it’s all about the beats and the percussion," and further stating that "the drums, as opposed to her voice, drive this song."[20] She also said that "New Day" doesn't "showcase her powerhouse voice like other signature hits on her cataloge", mentioning "Fallin'", "No One" and "Empire State of Mind" as examples.[20] Keenan Higgins from Vibe stated that "New Day" was a "strong step back" for her, but praised its "heavy bass" and "powerful" vocals, as well as the "crazy turntable mix" close to the end of the song, considering that it "proves to be an amazing start" for what she named as "another chart-topper" for the singer.[21]

Reception

Critics noted similarities between "New Day" and Beyoncé's "Run the World (Girls)".

"New Day" has received positive response from music critics. Jason Lipshutz from Billboard gave a positive review of the song, stating that "If 'New Day' is indeed the lead single to Keys' fifth studio album, the track is her most upbeat lead single yet."[17] Becky Bain from Idolator agreed with Lipshutz, stating that it's "one of the most upbeat songs she’s ever released".[22] Leah Collins from The Province was positive over the song's change in style, commenting that it "definitely marks a new sound for the singer—or at least a new tempo. Driven by a drumline beat—and some house-style piano—the track's more propulsive than Keys' typical torchy R&B."[15]

Amy Sciaretto from PopCrush gave the song a mixed review, stating that "This is a club banger, which is not something we expect from Keys."[20] She further stated that on the song, Keys sounds "harder and tougher", explaining that "It sounds like a rhythmic jam with some vocals tucked underneath."[20] Sciaretto finally concluded that "When you have a gift like Keys, why not use it to its full potential?"[20] Andrew Santana from Entertainment Weekly attributed to Swizz Beatz the musical change that Keys showcased in "New Day", stating that it is "a different sound for the usually more subdued Keys."[23] An editor from The Grape Juice named the song as "her most powerful number to date."[24]

Katherine St Asaph from Popdust gave the song three stars out of five, and recognized that "the clear inspiration" behind the "clattering military drums, party-hearty lyrics and brash-and-scattered vocals is traceable to one person", referencing Swizz Beatz as the reason for the musical change. She further stated that "if you like Keys for her ballads and piano work, you definitely won’t like how Beatz minces it all toward the end."[25] Jarett Wieselman from The Insider gave an optimist preview of the song, ensuring that "it's an uptempo jam that's perfect for summertime driving with the windows rolled down and the bass pumped up high."[26]

References

  1. ^ "Alicia Keys dating rapper Swizz Beatz". The Boston Globe. 18 May 2009. Archived from the original on 11 January 2010. Retrieved 4 December 2009. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  2. ^ Laudadio, Marisa (27 May 2010). "Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz Are Engaged – and Expecting!". People. Time, Inc. Archived from the original on 28 May 2010. Retrieved May 27, 2010. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  3. ^ "Alicia Keys and Swizz Haseeb Receive Zulu Blessing in Africa". Rap-Up. Archived from the original on 26 June 2010. Retrieved 2 August 2010. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  4. ^ Baertlein, Lisa (2 August 2010). "Alicia Keys Marries Swizz Beatz". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media. Archived from the original on 5 August 2010. Retrieved August 2, 2010. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  5. ^ Serpe, Gina (August 1, 2010). "Call Her Mrs. Beatz: Alicia Keys Weds!". EOnline. NBC Universal. Archived from the original on 2 August 2010. Retrieved 1 August 2010. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  6. ^ Greer, Carlos (15 October 2010). "Alicia Keys Has a Baby Boy". People. People. Archived from the original on 20 October 2010. Retrieved 15 October 2010. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  7. ^ "Alicia Keys Debuts "A Place Of My Own" At iHeartRadio Music Festival". Idolator. United States: Buzzmedia. 24 September 2011. Retrieved 24 November 2011.
  8. ^ Christman, Ed (23 August 2011). "RCA's New Executive Team Named Under CEO Peter Edge Amid Layoffs". Billboard. United States: Nielsen Business Media. Retrieved 24 November 2011.
  9. ^ "Unveiling The New Look RCA Records". FMQB. United States: Friday Morning Quarterback Album Report, Inc. 23 August 2011. Retrieved 24 November 2011.
  10. ^ Kleinman, Jacob. "Whitney Houston Funeral: Alicia Keys Performs "Prelude To A Kiss"". International Business Times. Retrieved 19 February 2012.
  11. ^ a b "Alicia Keys Unveils 'New Day' Track From Upcoming Album". Rolling Stone. United States: Jann S. Wenner. Retrieved 1 July 2012.
  12. ^ a b Kennedy, Gerrick D. (28 June 2012). "Alicia Keys teases new album with 'New Day'". Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles: Tribune Company. Retrieved 1 July 2012.
  13. ^ Muhammad, Latifah (2 July 2012). "Exclusive: Swizz Beatz Talks Alicia Keys "New Day" Collaboration". Hip Hop Wired. Retrieved 4 July 2012.
  14. ^ a b García, Courtney (2 July 2012). "2012 BET Awards: Swizz Beatz says more new Alicia Keys music on the way". Zap2it. United States: Tribune Media Services, Inc. Retrieved 4 July 2012.
  15. ^ a b c Collins, Leah (29 June 2012). "New Day, new music: Listen to the latest from Alicia Keys". The Province. Canada: Postmedia Network Inc. Retrieved 1 July 2012.
  16. ^ "Alicia Keys Unveils 'New Day' Audio From Fourthcoming Album". Popular Critic. Retrieved 1 July 2012.
  17. ^ a b c Lipshutz, Jason (28 June 2012). "Listen To Alicia Keys' Triumphant New Track, 'New Day'". Billboard. United States: Nielsen Business Media. Retrieved 1 July 2012.
  18. ^ a b c Rubenstein, Jenna Hally (28 June 2012). "New Song: Alicia Keys, 'New Day'". MTV. United States: Viacom International Inc. Retrieved 1 July 2012.
  19. ^ Redacción Cultura (29 June 2012). "Alicia Keys presenta "New Day", el adelanto de su quinto disco". El Universal (in Spanish). Caracas: Grupo El Universal. Retrieved 1 July 2012.
  20. ^ a b c d e Sciaretto, Amy (28 June 2012). "Listen to Alicia Keys' New Song: 'New Day'". PopCrush. United States: Townsquare Media, LLC. Retrieved 1 July 2012.
  21. ^ Higgins, Keenan (28 June 2012). "New Music: Alicia Keys - "New Day"". Vibe. United States: Intermedia Vibe Holdings, LLC. Retrieved 1 July 2012.
  22. ^ Bain, Becky (28 June 2012). "Alicia Keys Releases New Song "New Day", Says She's "A Whole New Person"". Idolator. United States: Buzzmedia. Retrieved 1 July 2012.
  23. ^ Santana, Andrew. "A 'New Day' for Alicia Keys: Listen to her brand-new single". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 1 July 2012.
  24. ^ "New Song: Alicia Keys – 'New Day'". The Grape Juice. Retrieved 1 July 2012.
  25. ^ St. Asaph, Katherine. "Review: Alicia Keys' New Track 'New Day'". Popdust. Retrieved 1 July 2012.
  26. ^ Wieselman, Jarett. "First Listen: Alicia Keys Drops 'New Day'". The Insider. United States: CBS Interactive. Retrieved 1 July 2012.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=New_Day_(Alicia_Keys_song)&oldid=500663798"