Last night, soulful R&B singer Keyshia Cole held an intimate listening party for her new album Just Like You in NYC. Those lucky enough to get in [to the party] got to hear the new album in it’s entirety before it’s release date on September 25th. Although the event was only from 7pm-10pm, Keyshia didn’t show up till’ about 9:35pm (she was doing a radio interview with Hot 97 before arriving at the party). That didn’t matter though, because she gave the best 25 minutes any Keyshia Cole fan could ask for. She basically sang live, along with most of the tracks from the album. Judging from the tracks being played, it’s safe to say that Keyshia won’t have to worry about the “sophomore jinx†that hinders many artists nowadays. This album has something for everyone.
For those of you who like the “gangsta†side of Keyshia, she has Didn’t I Tell You featuring rapper Too Short, as well as her her 2nd single Shoulda Let You Go was produced by hit maker Rodney Jerkins (which, by the way, is steadily climbing the charts. In just a matter of 2 weeks, it’s currently at number 36 on the Hot 100 R&B charts!). On a surprising note, this CD seems to have a more mellow vibe to it, unlike her 1st release, The Way It Is. Maybe Keyshia’s icebox is slowly melting? With songs like Fallin’ Out and Heaven Sent, she let’s us know she’s not as pissed as she used to be. On I Remember, Keyshia sings her heart out about remembering a love that wasn’t really around. This song is sure to be as big a hit as Love was. One of my many favorite tracks [off the album], Gotta Get My Heart Back, talks about her loving someone more then she loved herself and getting herself to love the way she used to before she fell in love with this wrong guy. Keyshia shows us a little of her rapping skills on this track too. Keyshia has always had this down to earth attitude towards the public, and she hasn’t seemed to forget that with the title track, Just Like You. She sings about being like you, being on her grind, and finding herself.
Anyone who loves Keyshia Cole will love this CD. Anyone whose never really liked her will undoubtly give her props on this stellar production. Enjoy one of the Best R&B releases this year! Just Like You in stores SEPTEMBER 25th!!
(Click here to see more photos from the party)
