I think HER listens to the SoulBack Podcast.
A few weeks ago, the homies and I reminisced about HER’s meteoric rise in R&B and her sudden departure a few years back. We chronicled her ascent in real time – we knew HER by her government name, Gabby Wilson, an extremely talented singer/songwriter/musician who just couldn’t get the breakout moment she deserved.
But then she decided to cosplay as Noob Saibot from Mortal Kombat, drop an EP that had the Internet goin’ nutz, and finally, FINALLY, she was on her way.
HER decided to focus on Hollywood after the release of her 2021 debut album but she recently released a great new track, “Do You Miss Me,” with teases of a new project on the way.
Well, there’s no better time to revisit her ascent in R&B, is there? Let’s look back at her musical journey thus far, ranking her army of EPs, and that debut, from bottom to top.
ONE BIG NOTE, before you run up in my mentions: While I will rank her many EPs below, I will exclude the compilations. They’re essentially collections of the previously-released EPs, with a few new tracks tacked on. Ranking them would just be redundant, though we did get a few gems of note (“Racks” might be my favorite HER song to date). If you’ve heard the EPs, your bases are mostly covered on those compilations.
6. I Used to Know HER: The Prelude (2018)
Soul In Stereo rating: 3 stars out of 5
Edd said: An unfortunate thing happened as HER began to gain higher notoriety in the late 2010s – the louder the buzz, the more predictable her music was becoming. After three projects with a pretty identical template, I was one of those online voices pleading for her to spice things up. And I thought this EP would turn things around. “Lost Souls” was something new, giving us a glimpse of how HER may have faired in the late 90s. But that’s an outlier. The rest of the project doubles down on what came before it. It’s certainly not terrible music, but you’ve literally heard it all before.
Forgotten favorites: “Feel A Way,” “Be On My Way Interlude”
5. I Used to Know HER: Part 2 (2018)
Soul In Stereo rating: 3.5 stars out of 5
Edd said: Part 2 atones for some of the sins of its predecessor, blending in groovier, more acoustic sound that feel more neo-soul than the creeping alt-R&B that defined so much of HER’s earlier work. It also feels a bit more full-formed than the last record, though admittedly, it takes a few songs before things kick into gear. Like most of her EPs, it’s more of a sampler than a full meal, but it serves its purpose.
Forgotten favorites: “Hard Place,” “Fate”
4. HER Volume 2, the B Sides (2017)
Soul In Stereo rating: 3.5 stars out of 5
Edd said: Can I be real with y’all? Well, of course I can – that’s why y’all keep coming back to read my ramblings all these decades. At first glance, Vol. 2, the B Sides feels like a quick cash-in to capitalize on the incredible success of “Best Part,” HER’s union with Daniel Caesar. And you can’t blame her? It’s arguably the defining R&B duet of the modern era. While it would be easy to dismiss the other tracks on this hastily-constructed EP, we do get a couple of gems to go along with that hit. The rest? OK at best. Clearly it was designed to keep the buzz loud, but there is some meat here.
Forgotten favorites: “Rather Be,” “Hopes Up”
3. Back of My Mind (2021)
Soul In Stereo rating: 3.5 stars out of 5
Edd said: And here it is – the album that Twitter claimed would bring the entire genre of R&B back to prominence. I never bought those insanely high expectations, but I absolutely expected more than what we got here. After years of endless EPs and anticipation, Back of My Mind is HER’s official full-length debut, and it certainly doesn’t lack ambition. “We Made It,” “Damage,” “Come Through,” “Bloody Waters” – those tracks and more highlight her versatility, effortlessly moving between traditional R&B, contemporary grooves, and socially conscious storytelling. HER’s musicianship is never to be questioned. What I do question is the maddening amount of excess. Twenty-one tracks, several of which are too similar and blur together, along a bunch of guest stars that feel like obligations instead of meaningful collabos. The result is a mixed bag that will please her diehard fans, but was far from the instant classic many anticipated.
Forgotten favorites: “Damage,” “Come Through,” “Back of My Mind”
2. HER Volume 2 (2017)
Soul In Stereo rating: 4 stars out of 5
Edd said: If Vol. 1 turned heads, Vol. 2 made sure your eyes didn’t wander. HER builds upon the foundation of her debut with a project that embraces her sensuality but doesn’t lose her biting commentary on the complications of love. While not quite as seamless as the previous entry, the short runtime keeps the experience tight and impactful. Vol. 2 was more confirmation that a new star was quickly rising.
Forgotten favorites: “Every Kind of Way,” “Avenue,” “I Won’t”
1. HER Volume 1 (2016)
Soul In Stereo rating: 4 stars out of 5
Edd said: The project is the epitome of “you had to be there.” In an era where R&B had no idea what it wanted to be, Gabby Wilson emerged as its shadowy savior. From the mysterious marketing to the captivating commentary that had the whole industry buzzing, HER Vol. 1 established HER as R&B’s preeminent new voice – one that merged the emotional intimacy of classic slow jams with modern alt-R&B vibes. Nearly every song here is a win, boasting mature songwriting that was light-years beyond her peers. Though it was short, it was incredibly sweet, launching HER to heights she still hasn’t matched. You couldn’t ask for a better start to your career.
Forgotten favorites: “Losing,” “Wait for It,” “U”
What’s your favorite HER project? Let us know below.
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