Keyshia Cole delivers a respectable vocal performance on “Incapable,” a promo single from her seventh studio album, ’11:11 Reset.’

Keyshia Cole was once a force in R&B. Of course, she was a force when the genre of R&B was more of a course as a whole.  However, in 2014, Cole dropped the worst album of her career, Point of No Return. Furthermore, it didn’t sell.  Now, following an incredibly quiet, lackadaisical promotional campaign, she releases her new album, 11:11 Reset.  In advance of the album, Cole released four singles: “You,” “Incapable,” “Best Friend,” and “Vault.”

Keyshia Cole delivers well-rounded, powerful lead vocals on “Incapable.” One of her best attributes is her upper register, which arrives on the chorus.  As far as the form, “Incapable” is comprised of a lot of sections, arguably, TOO many.  Those sections include verses, hooks, pre-chorus, chorus, and later, the bridge.  The best, most important section is none other than the chorus.  Here, Cole shines the brightest:

“Oh what, oh what a feeling / The one that I thought I needed / Was incapable, incapable of needing me back / Incapable, incapable of loving like that.”

Besides the chorus, another highlight is the adult contemporary R&B/throwback soul production.

Final Thoughts 

There’s plenty to like about “Incapable.” It’s respectable, and at times, even high-flying.  That said, it falls just short of excellence.  One quibble is that “Incapable” could use more song, particularly on the verses.  There’s a depth problem, essentially.  Having the ‘hook’ section takes away from getting much depth from the verses, which are usually the ‘meat’ of the song.  It’s nitpicky, but all in all, “Incapable” is solid – just not quite exceptional.

Keyshia Cole • 11:11 Reset • Epic • Release: 10.20.17 

Photo Credit: Epic