H.E.R. | 4GEMZ

1. H.E.R., “Hard Place”

I Used to Know Her • RCA •  2019

“What if nothing ever will change? / Oh, I’m caught between your love and a hard place.” Indeed H.E.R. (Gabriella Wilson), Indeed.  “Hard Place” appears as the 17^th track on I Used to Know Her, the second compilation album by the highly decorated, award-winning musician. On “Hard Place,” Wilson finds herself in a tough situation where that pesky thing, better known as love, has her “in a hard place,” to be honest.

Wilson, essentially, is letting her heart dictate. Perhaps, she should use her head and make an even tougher decision.  She clearly loves the guy she sings about, but he’s flawed to the nth degree.  “You know that you be dead wrong,” she sings, adding, “Tell me to relax when I’m reacting.” Later, she’s all-in: “And even when you cause tears / You’re the one who wiped them away / Maybe that’s the reason I stay, stay.” Seems like an imperfect, situation, but at least the listener benefits musically from Wilson’s love pains on this Grammy-nominated juggernaut from her discography.

2. H.E.R., “Fate”

I Used to Know Her • RCA •  2019

“Sweet, sweet fate / Oh, if it’s really out of my hands / Can you forgive all of my sins? / Have mercy on me, me.” “Fate” appears as the second track on I Used to Know Her.  As to be expected, “Fate” is a dark record, set in a minor key, featuring lush production and rich, dramatic vocals. Here in particular, the piano and strings evoke a certain mood.

Vocally, H.E.R. is incredibly emotional without ever over-singing or forcing things.  Her lower register is warm, while her upper register is quite powerful.  As far as the songwriting and theme, what’s the premise of “Fate?” Unsurprisingly, matters of the heart, specifically the fate of her current relationship.

Also appears on :
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3. H.E.R, “We Made It”

Back of My Mind • RCA • 2021

H.E.R. gets off to an awesome start on her debut album, Back of My Mind, with “We Made It”.  Early on, the instrumental shines, taking nearly a minute to simmer.  I heart the production by DJ Camper and Flippa. Once Wilson begins singing, she’s ‘on-point,’ never over-singing, delivering expressive and nuanced vocals; the richness of tone is stunning.

Beyond the picturesque backdrop and sweet vocals, there’s also strong songwriting.  Wilson mixes contemporary, love-motivated, reflective, and gratitude within the same song. There are several key moments, including a favorite:

“They said I won’t come up with the family and cop a couple of Grammys
All the things they said I can’t be, revenge taste just like candy.”

To reiterate, “We Made It” is an awesome way to start off Back of My Mind.  Furthermore, it’s awesome standalone record.

Also appears on :
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4. H.E.R., “I Can’t Breathe”

“I Can’t Breathe” • RCA • 2020

“I can’t breathe / You’re taking my life from me / I can’t breathe / Will anyone fight for me?” Cutting right to the chase, H.E.R. shocked the world at the 63^rd Annual Grammy Awards.  How so? Well, after several nominations in the ‘big four’ categories, she won, unexpectedly, for “I Can’t Breathe.” Written alongside Dernst “Dmile” Emile II (who also produces) and Tiara Thomas, “I Can’t Breathe” tackles a history of racist injustice in America, specifically reignited by the murder of George Floyd.

As the chorus lyrics suggest, “I Can’t Breathe” is a heavy record.  Set in a minor key, expectedly, Wilson desires the record to be reflective, somber, and thought provoking.  This isn’t a song you should listen to and not take something away from it. Always a great songwriter, this record is by far her most timely, given the troubling situations inspiring it. Sure, most music critics wrote it off as a possibility to take such a prestigious honor at the Grammys, even if Wilson has been a darling of the Recording Academy early on in her career.  Clearly, we shouldn’t have.  It’s truly a special, meaningful song.

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