

The creamy melodies on Diary of Alicia Keys would sound just as magnetic oozing from lounge speakers as they do blaring from headphones. It’s this mostly mellow vibe (with flecks of funk) that makes the album such an indulgent listen. Keys makes her boldest move ever on the flirty, feel-good “You Don’t Know My Name,” and has the brash, emotional aura of an old blues singer on “Heartburn” and “Wake Up.”