Whereas "No One" was an exercise in ear-numbing vocal bombast, new single "Like You'll Never See Me Again" thankfully lands on the opposite end of the volume spectrum: a sighing, lullaby-esque R&B ballad based in tender piano sprinkles, subtle guitar strains and a lightly tapped drum track that feels like a timeless classic being birthed before your aural cavity.

Reminiscent of Prince slow jams "Diamonds & Pearls" and "Adore" or Rose Royce's "I'm Goin' Down" at times, "Again" sees Keys stressing the importance of enjoying love now. Noting that "Lord only knows another day is not really guaranteed", Keys urges her lover to embrace her as if they'll never have the chance to be this intimate again. Her delicate delivery slides beneath your skin, initiating a pathway of goosebumps all across your body as her vocals organically build toward a dynamic finish. Launching with a breathy coo, Keys soon becomes overwhelmed with the desperate sentiment of her own pen work, her chops evolving into falsetto chirps and raspy, choked-back belts that will leave a knot in your throat from it's overwhelming grandeur.

We always knew Keys had it in her to produce something as magical as this. If "If I Ain't Got You" was her mid-term attempt, "Like You'll Never See Me Again" is definitely the work of an A+ final. A breath-taking stroke of soul mastery.



DL: "Like You'll Never See Me Again" (YFH)

In addition, peep Keys "Live Lounge" cover of The Fray's "How To Save A Life". Sorry about the quality, but it's an interesting remake nonetheless.



DL: "How To Save A Life" (YFH)