Alicia Keys pens a moody inspiration anthem for Queen Of Katwe

Alicia Keys’ new singe is from the upcoming feature Queen Of Katwe, the Lupita Nyong’o-starring Disney film about Ugandan chess champion Phiona Mutesi (Madina Nalwanga). You might expect a stock “inspirational ballad” for a project of this nature, but Keys’ “Back To Life” is not quite that. It starts out with dark tones, and instead of swelling to a “Girl On Fire”-type chorus it drops a beat that sounds almost—almost—house-infused. It’s in keeping with the vibe she established on her most recent single, “In Common.”