Sarah Violette, FKA Essence, is one of the gems of the Portland, Maine hip hop scene, and has had a really consistent career over the 2010s. The last time we heard from her was just last July, when she released the EP UltraViolette. Now she comes right back with another EP, AnxiousLove.

Violette has covered a lot of ground in her career, and yet she manages to still push herself and try something new this far along. Working with producers Ben Thompson, Canis Major, Pilgrim, Classixs Beats, Rob Kelly, and LBLukas Beats, Violette finds a style of modern trap-influenced R&B that works to her liking. It’s a shift from some of her more classic soul-sampling, East Coast hip hop, but it works really well for what Violette is putting together here, which is some really introspective, soul-searching hip hop dealing with heartbreak and failed relationships. While Violette is shifting the overall style of her music, she certainly isn’t trading in any of the aspects of her craft that made her special to begin with, which are her knack for really vivid imagery and really honest and emotional lyrics. It’s all on display here, as Violette delivers song after song of really moving hip hop that will take your heart through the ringer. We also get some excellent guest contributions from Libby Thompson, Shane Reis, Ben Thompson, and longtime collaborator Renee Coolbrith, who help balance Violette’s direct and hard-hitting flow. While Violette is working through some tough times for most of the EP, we do get a bonus track in “Owe You Shit,” featuring Coolbrith and JanaeSound, that allows Violette to cut loose a little and talk some shit and have fun with it.

Sarah Violette is a really talented artist with a pretty rich discography at this point. AnxiousLove is an excellent addition that shows that there is still plenty of room for artistic growth, while delivering some of her most emotionally charged hip hop to date.