Fiery blossoms

A mere five years ago, releases from these two artists would have meant guaranteed platinum status. But things change, and the question on most people’s minds now would center on how relevant the music of these two are in today’s youth-dominated market.

Alicia Keys — Girl on Fire (RCA/Sony Music). When even grizzly Bob Dylan makes the comment that Alicia Keys is one of his favorite younger artists of today, one just has to accept that Alicia certainly knows how to generate broad appeal.

Not one to just latch on musical fads, this is an album of impeccable, slow burn, modern-day torch songs.

The uptempo numbers that exist are in the street music mode of things, with interesting percussion-driven elements New Day and the Nicki Minaj collaboration on the title track.

My immediate faves are the soulful That’s When I Know, Tears Always Win and the duet with Maxwell, Fire We Make.

Quality stuff here! And while it debuted at No. 1 in the US Hot 100, how will it fare here?

Cristina Aguilera — Lotus (RCA/Sony Music). The CD opens with the ballad, Lotus, and then quickens the pace with a number of uptempo tunes; with Army of Me and Make the World Move, a duet with Cee-lo Green, the standouts.

Your Body is the carrier single. From the seventh track onwards, we shift to ballad mode, and the country-tinged duet with Blake Shelton, Just A Fool.

The bonus tracks sparkle, and I liked Light Up the Sky (Cristina’s Fireworks), and Empty Words. Evident is how her stint on The Voice is being emphasized, with only Adam Levine missing in action.

A solid effort, but a little predictable with the mix of dance tracks and ballads. But then again, if you love her on The Voice...