Alicia Keys: 'Teenage Love Affair'

Alicia Keys has been hitting the headlines a fair bit lately. Whether it's claiming gangsta rap was a US government ploy, eyeing up a mouth-watering collaboration with The White Stripes or being hit on by Janet Jackson, Keys has been involved in more intriguing rumours than many R&B divas achieve in their entire careers. This shouldn't come as a surprise - Keys has consistently outshone her contemporaries with her music too.

Sadly, new single 'Teenage Love Affair' finds Keys cruising on autopilot. One of the few uptempo moments from her As I Am album, it's a perky Motown-tinged number that revolves around a sample from The Temprees' 70s chestnut '(Girl) I Love You'. There are a few cheeky lyrics about reaching "third base" and Keys's vocals are at their dreamy best, but this lacks the sparkle of her best singles. Still, it's hard to hold a grudge, because even when Keys is a little way off top form she still oozes class.