Exploring themes of ancestry, community, and identity, South African-born, London-based artist Dope Saint Jude meditates on the core tenets that guide her existence on Higher Self. Folding hip-hop, electronic, and alt-pop instrumentation into her third EP, the rapper seeks to break with tradition, eliminate toxicity, and embrace a positive outlook over six tracks that represent her artistic maturity. Much like her native Cape Town, her lyrical imagery traverses several hues—oscillating between earthy, vibrant, and ombré. A sense of militancy runs through both “For You” and the sensual “Home,” the latter a deft juxtaposition of belonging in both a romantic and geographical sense. Anchored by contemplations on the pursuit of one’s truest self, the radical celebration of queer love on “Keep Your Head Up” thematically ties into the EP opener’s exploration of inter-generational feminine joy. While this sense of resilience continues on the boundary-establishing “I Don’t Know You Like That,” Saint Jude channels her religious upbringing on the prophetic “You’re Gonna Make It” and the spiritual-chant-infused title track.