Steve Lacy, Gemini Rights | Album Review 💿

Steve Lacy delivers one of the very best albums of 2022 with his relatively short but potent sophomore album, Gemini Rights.

R&B IS DEAD!!!  Some folks believe that.  When you examine R&B in 2022 in popularity alone compared to 20 years ago, it doesn’t seem like a far-fetched statement.  Even to some extent, criticizing the quality of modern R&B compared to the great soul music of old doesn’t seem completely off-base.  Regardless of how you feel, there are still incredibly talented musicians making R&B that everyone can be proud of.

   A prime example is 🏆 Grammy-nominated musician 🎙 Steve Lacy, who returns with his highly anticipated sophomore album, 💿 Gemini Rights.  Running just 10 tracks deep, Lacy has delivered one of the best albums of 2022 regardless of musical genre.  It’s that good, folks!

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“Static” 

“Did you forget something in your nose / Sniffin’ that K, did you feel the hole?” Steve Lacy commences Gemini Rights with a bang on 🤩 🎵 “Static.” The soulful opener finds Lacy reflecting on his breakup with his boyfriend and painting a picture of his ex-boyfriend coping with the break-up too (drugs for example). There is only one verse, but it is lit, to say the least.  Besides the lyrics referencing drugs, there are no more brilliant lines than “You fucking yourself, do you feel the toy? / Uh, lookin’ for a bitch ‘cause I’m over boys / Would you be my girlfriend, baby?” Lacy, of course, is bi, and this relationship has truly frustrated him.  His frustration and pain, however, are our listening pleasure.

🤩 🎵 “Helmet” ends up being more dynamic and groovier than “Static.” Furthermore, it keeps Gemini Rights on the up and up.  The soulful stylings are ear-catching, with Lacy’s marvelous guitar skills on display.  Furthermore, the robust bass lines of neo-soul never grow old.  Besides the awesome instrumental, Steve Lacy sounds terrific vocally, blessed with the perfect tone.  As “Static” introduced, Lacy and his boyfriend are no longer together.  He expounds on the issues within the relationship in the centerpiece, the chorus:

“I tried to play pretend

Try not to see the end

But I couldn’t see you the way you saw me

Now I can feel the waste on me

I tried my best to be worth all your while

You just gotta let me go as I’m tryna let go of you.”

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“Mercury”

It’s safe to say that on most R&B albums, you don’t hear songs like 🤩 🎵 “Mercury.” Why? Well, bossa nova isn’t commonplace in the genre, especially in 2022.  It works out masterfully here making “Mercury” one of the grooviest tracks I’ve heard in some time.  Fittingly, Lacy addresses the title of the album asserting, “Gemini / I’m a myth and I’m a legend / Whom never wins / And might not ever play again.” Damn! He also references Mercury too, but not until the third verse (“Mercury running amuck in my mind… / Venus in retrograde got me in bed”).  The lyrics are clever, often with unique references and double meanings, with all finding Lacy reflective and often, examining the plight of love.  🎙 Fousheé, who appears later on Gemini Rights as a credited feature, assists.

🎵 “Buttons” keeps Gemini Rights going strong.  The instrumental palette, sounds, and production are utterly sublime: guitar, colorful synths, bass line, and of course, the groove.  Furthermore, Lacy’s vocals are filled with authenticity and expression.  There are also superbly produced backing vocals, further exuding surefire excellence. Sadly, “Buttons” marks another instance of Steve Lacy being wronged – getting the short end of the stick when it comes to love: “I say, ‘You, you took me all around / Then treat me like a dog / And make me walk for miles  / And then you held me up / I will never not love you.’”  Steve Lacy can’t miss regarding quality, can he?

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“Bad Habit”

“I wish I knew you wanted me.” Ugh, don’t we all wish that we had that knowledge, Steve Lacy. 🤩 🎵 “Bad Habit” continues to highlight his incredible musicianship. The timbre of his voice is radiant as he expresses regret about not expressing feelings to a potential lover.  “If I knew I’d be with you  / Is it too late to pursue?” he asks in the first verse. In the second verse, he seeks transparency, singing, “I wish you wouldn’t play with me / I wanna know.”  While it seems, he’s pointing the finger during the verses, in the chorus, he takes some responsibility, asserting, “I bite my tongue, it’s a bad habit / Kinda mad I didn’t take a stab at it.” Beyond the chorus and regretful post-chorus, the bridge is intriguing, mostly a cappella, leading to a unique break – a change of pace. There’s also a compelling outro, which hearkens back to the hip-hop soul/neo-soul era. Ultimately “Bad Habit” is well-written, with a relatable theme and lyrics.  It’s well-produced with a palette of soulful but non-anachronistic sounds that fit the aesthetic in 2022.  Lacy sounds amazing, perfectly capturing this regretful, love-oriented sentiment perfectly.  Impressive to the n^th degree.

There is no shortage of vibes on Gemini Rights but 🎵 “2Gether (Enterlude)” with 🎙 Matt Martians gives us another.  Martians appears in the intro of this ‘enterlude.’ Lacy, of course, does most of the heavy lifting, comprised of the lyrics, “Together, forever” repeated over and over.  “2Gether (Enterlude)” prefaces 🤩 🎵 “Cody Freestyle” which sounds a bit more modern compared to most of the album.  I love the production by Lacy.  Also, shout out the synthesizer work of John Carroll Kirby, which adds plenty of character to this joint. Even with a few more modern tricks in play, “Cody Freestyle” is soulful and particularly beautiful given Lacy’s glorious vocals.  In this freestyle, we hear him serve up ripe falsetto as well as more assertive vocals. The chorus is variable, but both have the same premise. Of course, the first raises eyebrows with Lacy’s bluntness: “Why you bother me? / Don’t depend on me, no / Unless you’re swallowing / I could use your deep throat.” Woo! Once more, Lacy reflects on a relationship, which seems to feature a clear conflict of interest – casual versus committed.

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“Amber” 

If “Cody Freestyle” had a tad more contemporary flair, 🤩 🎵 “Amber” boldly embraces the past.  The moment I hear it, it channels the 60s and 70s.  While this is a fully produced with an assortment of sounds, the key, integral instrument is the piano, in all its glory.  Still, there are those high-flying vocals by Lacy and a spirited guitar solo that can’t be overlooked.  Getting even nerdier, the harmonic progression is awesome, moving beyond predictable changes and incorporating more colorful harmonies that stretch the ear.   With the prodigious nature of the music playing a big role on “Amber,” the theme and lyrics can’t be underrated.  In a nutshell, Steve is in reminiscent mode regarding a previous relationship, though continually asserts, “I wish I never met you no more.” Woo! 

🤩 🎵 “Sunshine” featuring 🎙 Fousheé serves as the ninth and penultimate number on Gemini Rights.  Running nearly five minutes in duration, it is the second-longest record.  Duration is unimportant as Lacy maintains the utmost consistency. Interestingly, Steve appears to be catching feelings for an ex, asserting in the first verse, “Caught me off guard when I saw you last week,” eventually adding, “Still’ll give you dick anytime you need.” Wow! Fousheé sounds fantastic, playing the role of the ex, and nailing the chorus. By the end, of course, the love is, well back on.  Funny how love works, right?

🎵 “Give You the World” concludes Gemini Rights incredibly different than the album began. On 🎵 “Static,” Lacy seemed bitter and clearly perturbed about the end of a relationship. On this lush cut, he is repentant, desiring a reset – a second chance.  “But I’ll give you the world,” he sings in an authentic, nuanced fashion in the chorus.  The outro, in particular, shows a changed Steve, who vows, “This time I’m gonna love you like you would do / And when I love you I’m gonna / Kiss you goodbye.”  All told, it’s a great closer on a very, very strong album.

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Final Thoughts 💭

Don’t believe folks when they tell you that R&B is all but dead.  If you do believe that, listen to this brilliant sophomore album by Steve Lacy and you’ll change your mind.  Even in the murky waters of R&B in the 2020s, there’s a surefire masterwork to be found.  Lacy nails it from start to finish on Gemini Rights, delivering an album that celebrates the past but doesn’t alienate more contemporary-minded fans.  The theme is relatable, but even more impressive is the level of musicianship Lacy brings to the table.  Gemini Rights is epic – bravo Steve, bravo!   

🤩 Gems 💎: “Static,” “Helmet,” “Mercury,” “Bad Habit,” “Cody Freestyle,” “Amber” & “Sunshine”

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🎙 Steve Lacy • 💿 Gemini Rights • 🏷 L-M / RCA • 🗓 7.15.22

[📷: L-M / RCA]

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