The First Impression series is where we review new albums in just one take. Going track-by-track, we break down the entire project and rate it because we all know first impressions mean everything.
Listen to your favorite music now on Audacy
H.E.R.'s highly-anticipated debut album, Back of My Mind is finally here. For this First Impression review, we're starting with the behind-the-scenes video she released with the project via Apple Music. She explains, "...it's not always easy to be truthful. It's hard enough to be honest with yourself and then to be honest in your writing with yourself is a whole other thing."
She states that "people hate vulnerability because sometimes weakness is power. Back of My Mind is accepting the vulnerability; it's accepting the many layers that make me me." Based on the 8-minute video, we presume the album will be full of storytelling, ballads and bops.
"We Made It" is a different type of celebratory bop. It's very instrumentation-heavy. Also, light flex when she said "revenge taste just like candy and now we eating up in Paris with a view." Talk yo s***! Not to mention, after all that heavy instrumentation it has a piano outro, which is very classic R&B. "Back of My Mind," featuring Ty Dolla $ign, slows down the tempo and is one of those songs too flex on your ex. When she sang, "I'm still the greatest of all time in the back of your mind, but you won't say it so nevermind," we screamed "I know that's right!" Clearly, this is relatable content.
In the behind-the-scenes video, the GRAMMY winner did mention that the songs on her album are elevated versions of songs from her first two EPs and with the title track, we absolutely agree. "Trauma" features Cordae and Hit-Boy and it's hard to not want to compare this to "Racks," her single with Cordae from 2019. Funny enough when writing this, there's a line he raps where he says "first impressions are important" and yeah, we agree. This is one song where we feel a visual may take it to that next level.
"Damage" is one of the few singles on the album that has been out for awhile and it is, arguably, her greatest song ever. R&B at its finest and the Herb Alpert, "Making Love in the Rain" sample is perfect.
"Find A Way" featuring Lil Baby is when she tapped into her trap bag. This is great for the club. "Bloody Waters" featuring Thundercat and KAYTRANADA is similar to her Oscar-winning song, "Fight For You" and this is also a great lane for her. Following Nina Simone's sentiments about it being an artist's duty to reflect the times, indeed. "Closer To Me" feels like it's about falling for someone you're just in an entanglement/situationship with—which can get messy. However, for the Goapele, "Closer" alone, play this song on repeat because YES.
"Come Through" featuring Chris Brown is another one that has been out and the theme about sliding through, pulling up, etc. will forever be one for the streets. If you're more on the sensual side of Hot Girl Summer, this is the one for you. "My Own" is the opposite of the energy from "Come Through." She even sings, "know it's okay if you can't come through/I'm savin' your place and it's all for you." This is one of those ballads that will have you deep in your bag, if you're not careful.
If you need the reminder that you are the catch in your situation, "Lucky" is the one for you. It doesn't do too much, but those lyrics hit. "Cheat Code" is a pure bop. Kicking it off with just the guitar and then beat coming in was classic! Thus far, this might be one of the favorites. Absolutely jamming over here. For some reason, it's also giving neo-soul uptempo feels. We could see D'Angelo on the remix.
With "Mean It," you will definitely be in your feels. "Always wanted to belong to somethin' that belonged to me/But if it's for everybody, then it's not in my reach..." Yeah, it goes there. We love how Yung Bleu and H.E.R. go back-and-forth on the bridge of "Paradise." Bring bridges back indefinitely! We immediately got Aaliyah vibes at the beginning of "Process." The snap breakdown sent us into another orbit. Peak 'give me a minute' energy and can apply universally. For sure, this track jumps to the top of the repeat list.
"Hold On" dropped late 2020, along with the other singles and aligns with singles like "Comfortable" and "Sometimes." Then, we get into "Don't" with its exceptional instrumentation. The Rodney Jerkins production— "Exhausted"— and "Hard To Love" fall a bit flat. We love the softness of "For Anyone" and the album ends with previously released singles, "I Can Have It All" featuring DJ Khaled & Bryson Tiller and "Slide" featuring YG, which is a fun, hyphy ode to The Bay.
Overall: the album flows very well, sonically. Afterall, H.E.R. has set such a standard with instrumentation. Are there skips? Unfortunately, yes. 21 songs is a lot. She could've brought back the days of a solid 10 track album. Regardless, we're eager to see what additional singles and visuals come from the album.
LISTEN on the Audacy App
Sign Up and Follow Audacy
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram