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The New York singer has taken the silent high road, preferring to let it all hang out on her fourth album. Not that Keys, 28, divulges anything obviously autobiographical on the disc. But she’s co-written an intensely passionate fourth album about triumphing over heartache. (.)

With her imploring vocals and piano-driven melodies, the results are a mixed pop-soul bag: from the gritty, drum-fuelled “Love is Blind;” to “Doesn’t Mean Anything,” one of those soaring, but bland, love-lost tunes of the Leona Lewis variety; to “Love is a Disease” which combines raggedy, blues-like vocals with a reggae beat; and “Put It in a Love Song” which employs Beyoncé for some of that “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)” swagger – “Send me gifts/ And show me the romance” – that doesn’t quite suit Keys.

Dropping this delayed disc late in the final quarter, she is competing against her own guest turn on Jay-Z’s “Empire State of Mind,” which is turning out to be one of the year’s top tracks; joining ‘em, she closes out her record – a well-crafted collection that surprises with every listen – with a contemplative, rap-free version of the tune. Can’t wait to hear all these songs live. Tickets go on sale Friday for her March 10 ACC show.

Top Track: Keys is as sexy as she’s ever been on the sultry “Un-Thinkable (I’m Ready),” which features co-writer Drake.