Album of the Week: Gemini Rights, Steve Lacy

Featuring (in order of appearance): Steve Lacy, Matt Martians, Fousheé

Track Number: 10

Length: 34:57

Released: July 15th, 2022

Genres: Contemporary R&B, Funk, Indie, psychedelia

Highlights: Helmet, Mercury, Give You the World

Rating: 9.3/10

“Gemini Rights is the second studio album from singer, musician and songwriter Steve Thomas Lacy-Moya, aka Steve Lacy. Released in 2022 during the heat of the summer, “Gemini Rights” firmly landed at the top of alternative charts and shot Lacy into mainstream appeal. Popularized by its hit single, “Bad Habit,” the album cemented itself as one of the year’s most popular, and Lacy as one of the most exciting musicians in the alternative music scene. But behind all of these accomplishments was nearly a decade of hard work and musical experimentation of an artist attempting to find his own voice, and behind all of that inspiration was a heartbreak that would define an entire wave of new music for Lacy. 

Lacy began his music career over a decade ago, recording and producing his first songs on his iPhone in an app called GarageBand. During this time, he also joined and participated in his high school’s jazz band by playing guitar, where he would meet and befriend fellow musician Jameel Bruner. Bruner would go on to form the band “The Internet”, which Lacy would join in 2013 as a producer and guitar player. Together, the band worked on their third studio album “Ego Death” which would be nominated for a grammy at the 58th Grammy awards. Lacy’s involvement with the band would extend to their solo careers and later to other notable figures in the music industry such as Denzel Curry, J. Cole, and most notably, Kendrick Lamar, who he produced the track “PRIDE” for. 

“Steve Lacy’s Demo” was released in February of 2017, marking his first official solo project. The following year, Lacy would produce for artists such as Solange, Kali Uchis and Mac Miller, and would collaborate with artists such as Ravyn Lanae and Vampire Weekend on the build up to the release of “N Side,” his first single from his debut album “Apollo XXI.” Lacy released two more singles leading up to the album’s release in May of 2019. The album received mixed responses from critics, but cemented Lacy as one of Indie music’s most interesting rising figures. His follow up, “Gemini Rights,” was released in July of 2022.

Following an intense break up, “Gemini Rights” maps Lacy’s journey through his grief, with each song functioning as a different stage in the process. Examining his past relationship, Lacy weaves in the sounds and influences prevalent on his previous album “Apollo XXI,” as well as demo tapes while maintaining a more focused narrative that gives the album a noticeable weight and a story to follow. 

The album opens with the track “Static,” a mostly a cappella number; the track features deep, layered vocals, tense piano-led instrumentation, and a serene guitar fade out. Lacy’s lyrics are angry and confrontational – words that have been saved for an argument – and function as the album’s introduction to our two characters, Steve and his ex-girlfriend. The following track, “Helmet,” kicks into an upbeat, funk and soul soaked indie track, featuring an infectious bass line, more of Lacys beautifully layered vocals, and a phased out guitar work to present a scene from the dying end of an relationship gone sour and is one of the albums best and catchiest.  The third track on the album, “Mercury,” is one of the album’s most interesting, featuring samba-like instrumentation and backing vocals reminiscent of Spanish folk music. Its lively atmosphere is in contrast to its lyrics, which are much more introspective and insecure. 

Another highlight on the album is the leading single and chart topper, “Bad Habit.” The song is a pounding and extremely catchy look into uncertainty. The song’s infectious chorus is matched by an equally beautiful a capella bridge and a steller outro, mixed to perfection. It’s a joy through a pair of headphones. The album’s ballad, “Amber” is another bright spot from “Gemini Rights,” a beautiful, piano lead, synth backed, soliloquy of regret, featuring funky, fazed out guitar work, and a falsetto performance from Lacy. “Give You The World,” is the last track on “Gemini Rights” and is one of its best. From its interesting chord choices and beautiful string composition, to its rhythmic baselines and Lacy’s breathy and sensual vocals, it’s a fantastic closer to a monumental album.

Overall, “Gemini Rights” is a soulful, psychedelic break up story weaved around a carefully crafted sonic atmosphere. It’s an explosion of identity, an incredible follow up, and a new cornerstone of the expansive indie music scene leaving fans thirsty for more.