H.E.R has almost remained completely anonymous her entire career. Her (no pun intended) first body of work was H.E.R. Volume 1. Since then, she has released three more EPs. Her face (which is rarely seen without her signature dark sunglasses) is smooth and picturesque. Her hair is full and curly; unruly even. Ironically, her physical attributes parallel the very mystery that surrounds her sound. 

Now, she’s back with I Used To Know H.E.R. – Part 2. This EP follows fairly quickly behind the release of its predecessor. The 8 song EP may not have as many rewindable tracks as Part 1, but it’s definitely a worthy listen. “Carried Away” finds H.E.R. traveling down a more folksy, bluesy path compared to her previous music. She cautions a potential love interest that falling in love again has to be worth it this time. 

“Can’t Help Me” is less sass and more of a gentle declaration of introspection. However, “I’m Not OK” is the track that resonates with a sultry maturity that extends well beyond her years. Her scratchy alto is the forefront here, amidst a dreamy backdrop of minimal production. This is brown liquor music at its finest. “Take You There” is a tender ballad that explores the possible reconciliation of a failed relationship. Her stunning vocals make it impossible to not consider the options. There’s even a twinge of Janet Jackson janet era here (think “Anytime, Anyplace”). 

The upbeat production on “Hard Place” is misleading to the song’s lyrical content. H.E.R. considers sacrificing her better judgment just to hang on to the man she can’t ever see herself letting go of. Meanwhile, “Fate” is just as inquisitive as it is melancholy. The beautiful, gospel tinged ballad finds H.E.R.standing up boldly to darkness. 

Tracks like “Lord Is Coming” truly showcase how H.E.R. stands apart from her peers in the industry. The song begins with two solid minutes of a chilling spoken word piece that forces us to reevaluate our motives and coping mechanisms. Something tells me we’ll be knowing H.E.R. for many years to come and we’ll be so much better for it.