By the time she moved to Los Angeles to pursue her dreams, she possessed a lifetime of pain, passion, and perspective—all waiting to be poured into her art.
The Way It Is holds up because it captures a universal feeling. Many R&B albums of the 2000s focused on fantasy and desire; this one focused on reality and hurt. Cole’s ability to look back at her own pain and channel it into anthems of empowerment is what gives the album its longevity.
The album was a commercial success, debuting at number two on the US Billboard 200 chart and eventually being certified platinum by the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America). keyshia cole the way it is full album zip extra quality
"The Way It Is" received generally positive reviews from music critics. AllMusic awarded the album 4 out of 5 stars, praising Keyshia Cole's vocal performance and the album's cohesive production. The album holds a score of 72 out of 100 on Metacritic, indicating "generally favorable reviews".
Upon release, critics praised Cole’s powerful voice but gave mixed reviews on its consistency. Pitchfork, in a retrospective review, gave the album a 7.3 and praised its raw breakup anthems. The Los Angeles Times suggested the album never quite lived up to its potential but acknowledged Cole’s ability to convey complicated emotions. Despite the mixed critical reception, the album’s raw emotion resonated far more powerfully with fans than with critics. By the time she moved to Los Angeles
The album's tracklisting boasts an impressive array of hits, including:
Do you need help finding of this specific album? Cole’s ability to look back at her own
A smooth, mid-tempo groove about outgrowing a partner. The bass synth here is a test for any subwoofer. This track showcases Cole’s ability to sound both weary and resolute.
The album featured 13 tracks, including the hit singles "Takin' Over" and "I Hate You." The album received generally positive reviews from critics, with many praising Keyshia Cole's powerful vocals and emotional delivery.
Cole co-wrote every track on the album, working with a prestigious roster of producers and guest artists: