Alicia Keys "The Element of Freedom"
No twists or curves on her new album and that's pretty wise. Keys made her dent in the flashy world of pop largely by displaying consistent good taste and genuine talent. Although the disclosure of her romance with a married man (Swizz Beatz, one of several producers on "Freedom") generated some gossip, the meditations on love and desire on her fifth full-length seems to sidestep undue melodrama. "Put It in a Love Song," her team-up with Beyoncé, underwhelms (you'd expect more sizzle from the meeting to these two superwomen), but the successes outshine the snoozers. "Un-Thinkable (I'm Ready)," which features backing vocals by Drake, vividly evokes the mix of vulnerability and confidence that accompanies giving one's self over to a lover. And no matter how many times you've heard the No. 1 hit "Empire State of Mind," you won't miss Jay-Z a bit when you hear Keys close the album with her alternate, solo rendition.
Robin Thicke "Sex Therapy"
The title track to Thicke's new album basically rewrites "Sexual Healing" for a generation too young to remember Marvin Gaye. It's complete with breathy, upper register vocals. Miraculously, Lil Wayne, who appeared on Thicke's last two records, is MIA this time (how do you make a record without Lil Wayne in 2009?), but his label mate Nicki Minaj represents the Young Money crew, talking raunchy on "Shakin' It for Daddy." Snoop Dogg, Kid Cudi, Estelle, Game, Jazmine Sullivan, and Jay-Z also appear. Polow da Don, Teddy Riley, Jeff Bhasker, and Scott Storch help out on the production side.
Animal Collective "Fall Be Kind"
After their "Merriweather Post Pavilion" showed up on tons of best-of-2009 lists, the timing seems ideal for them to slip a little something else into the marketplace. The five-song EP isn't quite as sunny in its psychedelic splendor as that critically lauded predecessor (although those Beach Boys harmonies still permeate opening cut "Graze"). The sprawling, polychromatic "What Would I Want? Sky" interpolates the first officially licensed sample of the Grateful Dead, which seems appropriate.
Pet Shop Boys "Yes"
It doesn't nearly live up to all the kudos it received, however, one of the album's brighter spots is "All Over the World". It cleverly interpolates a chunk of a perennial holiday favorite, Tchaikovsky's "Nutcracker Suite." Which makes that ditty a perfect bonbon to stuff into the electro-pop duo's five-song digital "Christmas" EP. Also included are a new recording of the 1997 fan club offering "It Doesn't Often Snow at Christmas," two versions of their cover of Madness' "My Girl," and the medley of "Domino Dancing" and Coldplay's "Viva La Vida" featured on their recent concert tour.
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