Jayvee Music Reviews with Jeff Vallet

Every now and then I listen to an album that really has that something extra. Alexis Keegan’s new album is raw, real and edgy.

She vibes beautifully with producer and co-writer Andrew Williams (nephew of the late iconic singer Andy Williams, who has worked with everyone from Colbie Caillat to Five for Fighting). The vocal powerhouse is breaking through with a track set that embraces and adds a rock edge to her early R&B roots, lays her soul bare and turns her personal losses into universal expressions of hope.

The album includes infectious, heartfelt tracks that run a deep gamut of intense yet relatable emotions. The hypnotic, piano driven mid tempo ballad “Your Name In My Heartbeat” backs the singer’s dreamy, soulful vocals with a distinctive mix of classical elements and classic R&B, its passionate plea underscored by a soaring violin. Drawing from old school pop, the opening track “I’d Rather Be Your Girl” has a funky, bluesy Carol King-like piano stomp that underscores the somewhat naughty theme of the lyrics.

The most subtle yet emotionally devastating song is “Just A Little,” a sparsely arranged showcase for Alexis’ vocal purity in all its rich and gentle nuances.

“This album is the start of entirely reinventing myself,” she says, “and calling it S.L.A.T.E. symbolizes that amongst a couple other things. The first is the scary but cool reality of picking up my life, moving across the country and starting over in a brand new place with a clean slate.

“But just as importantly, these songs are all in my process of S.L.A.T.E.(Seeking Life After The End). If you have had your heart broken, you know that feeling of having to start over…it hurts, it’s scary and it’s definitely a long process. People will relate and find something brand new in each of these songs. It’s exciting to finally have this opportunity to create and share music on my own terms.”

This album is so fine!