Moments of super excitement radiate, especially when it is unexpected. Music definitely has a way to make life better. Period.
On my typical Spotify binge a few whiles back, while catching up on work and other random things, I was planning the typical closeout without finishing my to-do list but nevertheless tired, and As I Am by H.E.R queued up. Out of curiosity, I dug deeper to find out what album this content fit into, surprising it didn’t. It was a portion of a LP, lingering between the not quite a album play, but getting there soon context. Since my Spotify plays are often a random mix of what they assume I want to hear, I usually have no clue who artists are, or when the song was released. And guess what… I’m ok with that! It creates a spark of random joy. Not even sure when she / H.E.R. came on the scene, but most recently she has been consistent with joyous sounds. (In between my previous SZA binges)
The Prelude of this like titled release came out earlier this year (actually in 2018) containing 6 tracks of equal quality meant to prepare me for something greater, not a surprise that I missed the memo. I was instantly drawn in even more when she kicked off with the Lost Souls track, and as soon as I was about to recite “It’s funny how money change a situation”, line, expecting a lyrical repeat (I paused to listen to the Miseducation of Lauryn Hill for a moment in between) it was only there in sweet spirit.
From the 2 releases, a few are my favorite lines are as follows, I could probably write individual blog post explaining my life relations to each line, maybe I will:
Carried Away- “Sorry that I can’t imagine that you care” “Ain’t my fault I’m guarded”
Can’t Help Me- “Sorry that I been living in my head”
I’m Not OK: “Feel a little heavy, holding on to something I don’t need”
Hard Place- “What if nothing ever will change”
Fate- “I don’t think it’s suppose to be hard, if it’s really meant to be”
Lord Is Coming- “We voted, but did we really get to choose?”
She must be a LH fan though, and I ain’t mad… For me. H.E.R’s music is relatable in the sense that she shares and owns her experiences and feelings in a melodic relatable way. Yet, posing intentional incomplete thoughts for you to decide. She’s not telling me anything and telling me everything at the same time. H.E.R. is an acronym for Having Everything Revealed, and obviously. The actual combined LP’s album I Used To Know H.E.R. includes some added tracks, one titled 21 is so fun, the video will make you happy tear up a bit. The collaborators on and behind the scenes include help from, the writers who helped with the lyrics, and you guessed it… Ms. Lauryn Hill is on the list, along with David Harris, Fredrick Hibberts, Jeff Gitelman, Tiara Thomas, Dernst Emile II, and others. H.E.R was also listed as a writer for each song in the “show credit” option on Spotify. (Remember when we use to look through the CD booklet for this info and lyrics)
Anyways, Rap Genius had the lyrics without the explanation so this is all MicheleSay (hearsay), but somebody get H.E.R., cause I would actually like to know her. And if you’re anything like me, you should take a listen, it doesn’t disappoint. The Grammy’s seem to agree!
In general for me, this album is an encouragement to be honest with you and your own journey, then move forward. It reflects on things in the most beautiful way, things we are so often not willing to admit to ourselves first. Struggles with love, life, and laughter are taken in stride and with calmness. I appreciate most the even tempered revealing of R&B throughout. Since it is the end of the year, seems fitting that I would take inventory of my life’s current journeys and decide on what’s next with confidence, this album surely inspired it subtly.
*I often sit on blog posts until they disappear into a space of irrelevance. BUT! Since the compiled album of the LP’s was recently released, posting late.*
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