Steve Lacy, is it cool? | Song Review

Grammy-winning R&B singer-songwriter Steve Lacy taps Grammy-winner SZA for “is it cool?” the second single from his third album.

Well now, Steve Lacy, early on in “is it cool?” you provide us with a lot to digest: the death of his father as a child and admitting to cheating.  The Grammy-winning alternative R&B singer-songwriter taps a fellow Grammy winner, SZA (Solana Rowe), for the assist on the third track from his third studio album, Oh yeah?.  Steve Lacy wrote “is it cool?” with SZA, Fousheé, and Matthew Castellanos. Damn, what a talented songwriting crew! Lacy and Matt Martians produced it. The sounds are striking, with some neo-soul cues, colorful keys and synths, and a strong groove.

Steve Lacy draws first blood on “is it cool?” He performs the first verse, pre-chorus, chorus, and post-chorus. There’s no doubt about who the lead artist is! After admitting to cheating earlier, Lacy owns up to his shit, while singing beautifully: “Really, really want commitment / Can’t keep fucking shit up.” Truer words have never been spoken. In the pre-chorus, he tries to convince his lover to stay, proposing, naughtily, “Or we could fuck, bust a nut, t-talk it over on a date.” Wow.  In the chorus, the centerpiece, he asserts, “You ain’t gotta trust me to love me, baby,” adding, “I don’t even trust myself.” At least he’s honest.  He continues to bare his soul in the second verse.  Here, SZA enters the mix, singing the back half angelically: “Being vulnerable is exhausting, babe / Can we get naked instead of talking, babe?” Lacy takes the reins once more, beginning with the third and final verse (brief).  He shocks again, asserting that he wants to “Be the one you fuck on full-time / Be your honest lover, babe.”  SZA joins forces with him in the final post-chorus.   She leads the charge in the outro, asking, “Is it cool? Do you trust me? / Am I a fool if I love you?” “Is it cool?” leaves me with many questions regarding the relationship, but WE LISTEN, AND WE DON’T JUDGE.  What I do judge is the song’s quality, and once again, Steve Lacy has put in the work.  Strong vocals, compelling theme, lyrics, and striking production make this another winner.

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Steve Lacy » Oh yeah? » RCA Records / L-M Records » 7.17.26 [📷: RCA Records / L-M Records]

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