Capetonian singer-songwriter Hunter Rose is back with her sophomore EP, Butterfly, and it’s everything we could have hoped for and more. After her renowned debut work, Love & Trust, and a series of collaborative EPs, Hunter Rose returns with an honest depiction of love in all its stages and the inevitable pain that comes with it.

Butterfly is an ode to feminine agency, as Hunter Rose grapples with turmoil while celebrating her own autonomy. With the rich and alluring tones of Rose’s warm vocals, it’s easy to get reeled in by the relatable emotions and anecdotes she works through, as she blends soul, jazz, R&B, hip-hop, and house to forge a unique sonic experience that reflects her dynamic personality.

The EP opens with “Forever Yours,” a reflection of the infatuation stage of what we naively assume will be a perfect, everlasting love. The track sets the tone for the EP, as Hunter Rose sings about the early stages of love and the hope that comes with it.

“Grateful” is a critical lesson in processing pain and emerging stronger from it, illustrated by melancholic guitar chords. With references to family, it’s also a reminder of what’s universally important. The sultry “What you wanna do?” makes no secret of the fact that longing, lust, and the chase are all part of this process.

As far as brief interludes go, “Hollywood” is as dreamy as they come, like a luxurious bubble bath condensed into one minute. The roles of these ongoing love games are reversed in “Having my way,” where Rose stresses the importance of making no apologies for going after what your heart desires, and it’s here she uses the imagery of a butterfly flying free.

With Butterfly, Hunter Rose arrives in a place where things are done on her terms. The EP is an honest and vulnerable depiction of love, but also an ode to feminine agency and autonomy. With her rich and alluring vocals, Hunter Rose invites us into her world, where we can explore the depths of love and all the emotions that come with it.