Most album titles don’t necessarily reveal much about the artist. They usually harbor reckless or/and witty phrases or smash various ideas together to form a hip word of the day. But Keyshia Cole’s “A Different Me” does in fact live up to its title. The album features a “fresh forward” thinking Cole, and it’s obvious that the past two albums with all their Grammy-nominating skills, have pushed her again to reinvent the RnB/HipHop sound she became known for. Cole happily ventures out to the dance floor with “Don’t Stop,” which definitely is an energetic and club ready song, along with “No Other,” another party ready track.
It’s also apparent Keyshia wants to show off her sexier side as she implies so in her album’s introduction. “Erotic,” an obvious choice for what you could call a sensual song, still remains classy and radio-friendly, as Cole delves into her more seductive side. And “You Complete Me” is an ode to how loving someone can become a selfless triumph for an individual. Keyshia strives to become a more versatile vocalist, and there is proof of that in “Oh-Oh Yea-Yea,” where she belts sultry lyrics over a symphony of strings. Seasoned songstress Monica and New York rapper Nas are featured among others, and Keyshia holds her own against them all.
Overall “A Different Me” does show another side of Keyshia Cole, and so far it is most definitely intriguing and entertaining to say the least. It’s one of the better RnB albums out so far this year, and I suggest you give it a listen if you are in need of a break from “Single Ladies.