"Lucy", the new track (and December 15 EP release) from Julian Lennon and James Scott Cook, would be news enough if only for the fact that it represented the first new music from Lennon in nearly a dozen years. But we've got a number of things going on here. "Lucy", the first of the tracks three songs, is a brightly colored, uptempo slice of harmonied pop/rock written in tribute to Lucy Vodden, Lennon's childhood friend (and inspiration for his dad's "Lucy In the Sky With Diamonds") who died in September of lupus. Coincidentally, Cook, who wrote the first draft of the song, has a grandmother also named Lucy and also suffering from the same malady. With a few lyrical updates, the song became reborn not only as a single but as an EP, the proceeds of which will help fund a lupus charity.

 The EP also gives us a glimpse into the duo's forthcoming solo albums -- Lennon's Everything Changes and Cook's as-yet-untitled new project -- both slated for 2010 release. Lennon's new "Beautiful", a lovely piano ballad written, he says, "about people I know and my friends know that have passed on in life." With swelling orchestration behind him, Lennon sings "the love you left behind will carry on, you gave your heart and soul to everyone" -- and you can't help but think that his famous father is foremost in his lyrical inspiration. "I think it was coming to terms with a lot of issues I felt I needed to deal with," he reflects. "I went through quite a few issues with dad." Watch the "Lucy" video after the jump.

Julian Lennon Myspace  James Scott Cook Myspace theRevolution Label Site

Julian Lennon - "Beautiful" (from the Lucy EP and forthcoming album Everything Changes)

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Element Of Freedom, Alicia Keys' long awaited new project arrives two years after the release of her quadruple platinum-selling album As I Am. "The music is really strong, and the drums are really aggressive, but my voice is vulnerable and delicate,” says Keys. She adds that the new album encapsulates her process of "eliminating all of the boundaries and all the limitations, so that you can feel your freedom and express your freedom in every way you possibly can and that’s what I did with this album."

First single "Doesn't Mean Anything", written and produced by Keys and longtime production partner Kerry “Krucial” Brothers, features a simple piano chord hook - more Coldplay than Jay-Z - and is at radio now. “Alicia Keys Is Back” gushed NYPost.com’s "Pop Wrap" column. “It’s so perfect, it’s so brilliant and it’s so unmistakably Alicia.”Second focus track "Try Sleeping With a Broken Heart" is waiting in the wings for a November 9 radio launch. TV: Regis and Kelly today (10/12) and Ellen (10/30). "There's a feeling theme," Keys observes. "And I think somewhere in there, there's a balance. It's like one side is strong and one side is vulnerable. So that's the theme throughout the album. It has this kind of strong, edgy feel. But it's also intimate and vulnerable and delicate."

Myspace  Artist Site

Alicia Keys - "Doesn't Mean Anything" (from the album Element of Freedom)

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Alice Russell - Pot Of Gold (Remixes) (R+B/Retro)

Alicia Keys - The Element of Freedom (R+B/Pop)

Black River Brethren - Anatomy of a Gun (Rock/American)

Chris Brown - Graffiti (R+B/Pop)

Julian Lennon and James Scott Cook - Lucy (EP) (Pop/Rock)

Lady Gaga - The Fame Monster (Deluxe Edition) (Pop)

Lifehouse - Smoke & Mirrors (Rock/Alt) (Moves to February 2)

Phil Vassar - Traveling Circus (Country/Pop/Rock)

Redman - Reggie Noble 9 1/2 (Hip Hop)

Robin Thicke - Sex Therapy: The Session (Pop/R+B)

The Willowz - Everyone (Rock/Pop/Punk)

Eminem - Relapse: Refill (Hip Hop)

Hurricane Chris - Unleashed (Rap/Hip Hop)

Lil Wayne - Rebirth (Rap/Hip Hop)

Mary J. Blige - Stronger With Each Tear (R+B)

Mudvayne - Mudvayne (Rock/Metal)

Nine - Soundtrack (Pop/Broadway Musical)