#Review, Keyshia Cole – “11:11 Reset”

Keyshia Cole delivered another KC classic with her 6^th studio album, “11:11 Reset.” With a small intro and outro, the 11-track album creates and executes a story of hurt, love, betrayal, acceptance, and moving on. Correlating with her relationship with soon to be ex-husband, Daniel “Boobie” Gibson.

 

Her last album, “Point of No Return” told all her thoughts, feeling, and business during her relationship with Gibson, and what caused them to break up, “all over some funk ass pussy.” Cole isn’t one to hide her emotions or bite her tongue, as we’ve seen over the years on reality television, but “11:11 Reset” is what happens when a grown woman pens her thoughts and emotions.

Let’s not act like Cole ain’t been the hood’s princess for years, from “The Way It Is” to “11:11 Reset,” Cole been delivering hits. Yes, her musical career took a slight hit, and that’s when the haters came out with all the Grammy jokes (but she is Grammy nominated), and fish plate jokes (she probably cooks better than y’all hating asses and your family), but through it all; she blocked the hate, remained humble, and stayed true to herself.

Whenever people careers get shifted a little bit, the haters come and act like that person was never relevant or talented. Like Cole ain’t have every little kid and grown adult singing “Loveeeeeeeeeeee, never knew what i was missing” back in the day, saying we should’ve cheated, loving an imaginary person we never had with “Heaven Sent,” and so many more hits. Thankfully, she kept true to her music, and didn’t let the hate rattle her too much.

I have to say this album is Cole’s most personal and growth filled album. It was masterfully crafted and stripped down, even including the bops.

Tracklist:

1. Cole World (Intro) [Feat. DJ Khaled]

2. Unbothered:

Something that many people claim, but truly aren’t. Cole has demonstrated her “unbotheredness” throughout the season of LHHH, but how she carries herself. The song has the potential to be another single, something slight, but this song, in a weird way, coincides with track 7, “Act Right.” The lyrics on “Unbothered” definitely need to be everyone’s daily mantra. Be confident, know you’re flawless, love yourself, be #Unbothered.

3. You [Feat. Remy Ma & French Montana]:

It’s something about Remy Ma and KC on a track together that represents so much more. This isn’t the first time the duo have teamed up together, and won’t be the last. “You” was a bop that could’ve been on this album, or left off and replaced with another; however, it definitely needed to be released. Remy & French Montana added to the bopness of the song.

4. Incapable:

The video is simply amazing, it related to the theme you feel when listening to the track. This track is relatable to damn near anybody, and brings back true R&B/Soul music in its essence. It’s the song that represents the sad truth when you realize the one you love isn’t the one meant to love you. Probably no better bittersweet feeling with this song than with Cole performing this at the LHHH reunion, and they kept going to Boobie to see his reaction. Only God knows what goes through her mind while singing this, but it surely has to be what we’ve all as humans have endured when coming to that realization for ourselves.

5. Best Friend

6. Vault: 

The most emotional, beautiful, yet simple song on the album, and in Cole’s discography. “Vault” starts off with a simple guitar chord before Cole joins in. My personal favorite. It takes the listener back to song-writing, relatable emotions, and expression. The simplicity of the productions brings Cole’s vocals to the forefront. This single captures the heart, captures your soul. The pain that Cole is singing from is universal, remembrance of old Cole. Her delivery hasn’t changed, just matured. Before she’s done with this era, we need a video for “Vault.”

[Chorus]
“I know there’s love in my vault/ Only thing that I want is someone to want me, yeah/ Put your ear to my thoughts/ Only thing that I want is someone to hold me, hold me”

[Verse 1]
“You know my heart’s been defeated/ Yeah, it’s beat to the core/ Who’ll be there for my healing/ When I open that door?/ Boy, don’t play with my feelings/ Just to fill in a void/ Put your love in my safe/ Oh, I’ll keep it safe”

7. Act Right [Feat. Young Thug]

8. Right Time

9. Emotional

10. Ride [Feat. Kamaiyah]

“Ride,” in my opinion, should be Cole’s next single. The song samples 2Pac’s “Hail Mary,” but she makes it her own. Listen, Keyshia, if you read this; this is it!!! Okay. This is that “Fuck You” Keyshia we got from her first album with “Guess What,” still real hood, but sang classier.

[Pre-Chorus]

Oh, pretty chick, ski mask/ Pop up, pull off fast, call me, don’t call back/ Leave me, don’t come back/ I’m with the shit and all that/ Ganged up and all that, but you already knew that/ You a fan on some other sh…/ ‘Cause you was laying with that other chick/ Not tonight, not tonight/ Make a chick wake up, hop up, catch a flight

[Chorus]

Come with me (Oh, are you riding?)/ Are you riding with me?/ I’m pulling up right now (Right now)/ Are you down to ride? (Let’s ride)/ La-la-la-la, la, la, la, la

11. Cole World (Outro) [Feat. Too $hort]

“11:11 Reset” got the fans, and haters, together real quick. During her first season on “Love & Hip Hop Hollywood,” we got to see a different Cole —  a fun, carefree, no drama having Cole. It was good seeing her in a different light, and it’s reflected in her album.

As a whole, is it worth listening to? Yes! Is it worth buying… definitely! The only complaint I have in terms of the music is the intro and outro. I feel as though Cole should’ve added two more songs, or turned the intro and outro into actual songs. The album definitely feels short, yet, thoroughly produced. the package adds to the personal reflection in this album, Cole shot the photos in her living room, and with her going through this divorce; you know these songs are personal. I would give “11:11 Reset” an 9/10, and any real R&B head needs to listen. Real music is out there, we just have to find and support. This album, as a listener, was almost therapeutic.

Check out “11:11 Reset” Here.