
Listen to this: New singles from Bruno Mars and Alicia Keys
By Nicholas Jennings
There was a time when artists released albums as often as one a year. These days, three to four years is the usual gap between recordings, as musicians and record companies take care not to saturate an already crowded marketplace. For fans of Bruno Mars and Alicia Keys, four years seems like an eternity, which is how long it’s been since their last albums. Now there’s something to celebrate as both stars have strong new singles teasing releases that are just around the corner.
Bruno Mars: “24K
Magic”
It’s been a long wait since Bruno’s last album, Unorthodox Jukebox, but the four-time
GRAMMY winner hasn’t been idle, co-writing and singing on Mark Ronson’s smash
“Uptown Funk” and collaborating with
Adele. Now the “Locked Out of Heaven”
singer gives fans the first taste of his forthcoming third album, a feel-good
slice of funk in which Bruno proclaims himself “a dangerous man with some money
in his pocket.”
Bruno announced “24K Magic” on Instagram, with the exuberant message: “You can call it my first single, but I call it the invitation to party” and this gold-laden photo:
Alicia Keys: “Blended
Family (What You Do For Love)” feat. A$AP Rocky
Alicia’s gap between albums (her last one was Girl on Fire) can easily be explained:
the “Fallin’” singer has been busy with her two sons, Egypt and Genesis, who
arrived in 2010 and 2014. Now the superstar, who made news recently for her
decision to appear in public without makeup, is prepping her sixth album for
release. The lead-off single is about the joys and challenges of creating a new
family with her husband Swizz Beatz and his son from his previous marriage.
“It’s perfect,” sings Alicia over sparkling piano and simple acoustic guitar.
To tell the world about her new single, Alicia tweeted a photo of herself, looking beautiful with teased hair and no makeup.
My new album: HERE. Out 11/4. Pre-order to receive my new song Blended Family (What You Do For Love) today https://t.co/OcKMYEoFOopic.twitter.com/6Kylor8aph
— Alicia Keys (@aliciakeys) October 7, 2016
Hello! music columnist Nicholas Jennings surveys the pop landscape each week to find the most dynamic tracks to add to your playlist.