H.E.R. – H.E.R. (2xLP)

H.E.R., released October 20, 2017, is a compilation album merging tracks from her early EPs (H.E.R., Vol. 1 and H.E.R., Vol. 2) with several new recordings. The album collects a transitional body of work, showcasing her development as both a songwriter and performer under the moniker H.E.R. Rather than a conventional debut, it serves as a curated statement of identity and intent, placing emphasis on mood, emotion, and vocal intimacy. Produced across multiple collaborators, the record blends understated instrumentation, subtle electronic touches, and vocal layering to underscore the emotional weight of her lyrics.

Standout tracks such as “Best Part” (with Daniel Caesar) emphasize the album’s strong sense of chemistry and melodic restraint, while deeper cuts lean into introspection, tension, and nuance. Over time, H.E.R. has become recognized as a defining collection in her discography—valued for how it stitches together early strengths and provides a foundation for her evolving voice. Its release helped establish her reputation within modern R&B and set the stage for subsequent studio projects that would deepen and expand her artistic reach.

"She evokes states ranging from vexation to desire, and there's never any uncertainty in what is being put across. It all sounds like the work of a savvy veteran." – AllMusic

“H.E.R. is a lush mosaic of voice, mood and minimal production, a record that signals an artist more interested in resonance than spectacle.” – Rolling Stone

“This compilation draws its value from bringing together songs that already felt personal, already felt whole, and then adding new ones with nearly the same care.” – NPR Music