Alicia Keys performs at the 2012 iTunes Festival.

Alicia Keys admitted to The New York Times that she struggled while trying to sing her latest single, ‘Girl on Fire’. So, it is no surprise that she kept her vocals in check during another new song entitled ‘Brand New Me’, which she debuted live at the 2012 iTunes Festival earlier today.

The defiant ‘Brand New Me’ will appear on Keys’s upcoming ‘Girl on Fire’ album, which will hit stores on November 27th. Boasting quite personal lyrics, the song tells the story of how Keys developed into a stronger woman, despite the judgements of people who criticise her decisions. Listen to ‘Brand New Me’:

Although it would have been better to hear Keys belt the climx of ‘Brand New Me’ instead of simply shouting it as she has done on every song since 2005, the rest of the song is beautiful. There is no denying her ability as a songwriter and the lyrics of this record were gripping, to say the least.