Steve Lacy - Gemini Rights
R&B – Released July 15, 2022 – 10 songs, 35 mins
ROZ
This week the lads at Too Sweet Reviews take on an up and coming star in Steve Lacy. The 24 year old Lacy from Compton, California first picked up a guitar playing the video game Guitar Hero when he was 7 and never looked back - from there, he started his band ‘the Internet’, collected a nomination for ‘Best Urban Contemporary Album’ at the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards, amassed several features for artists such as Tyler the Creator, Calvin Harris and Vampire Weekend, and co-wrote multiple tracks including one with rap icon Kendrick Lamar. Not too shabby, huh? Gemini Rights, Lacy’s second solo endeavor hit the top ten of the Billboard 200 chart - but will it survive the TSR chopping block? Let’s see what this reviewer thinks.
Step #1 to impress: produce the album yourself. Steve Lacy is credited with producing around 90% of Gemini Rights, and while there is a time and a place for big budget, multi-producer efforts, there is just something about a man sitting alone with his guitar, laptop and emotions that feels truly genuine and special - as if you can feel the energy that was in that room as each track gets recorded, arranged, mixed, and sent away to master. Static starts us off with a laid back, piano-focused ballad that uses subtle panning and layering to warm the listener up for what’s to come. Helmet brings a bouncing drum groove and an array of guitar and percussion that is immaculately placed around and throughout the stereo spectrum. This is just the beginning.
Genres are fused in Mercury as Lacy’s core RnB style gets a Latin American twist. The record slows down to a sensual pace in Buttons, Amber and Give You The World, allowing Lacy to croon about his relationship woes. Gemini Rights summons Kid Cudi in the ethereal Cody Freestyle and is at its best throughout Bad Habit and Sunshine, the latter featuring the beautiful voice of RnB/Soul artist Foushee (the music video for Sunshine is also extremely creative and warrants a watch). Lacys ability to arrange punchy drum breaks with melancholic layers of strings and keys is a style that can be difficult to pull off, but is one that sounds so good when executed well - displaying shades of Tyler the Creator in his more thoughtful moments.
Steve Lacy’s unique cadence and diverse singing style is only faltered by the lack of substance in his lyricism - a facet of the record that is fortunately masked by the quality of its other elements. Nevertheless, this reviewer is hopeful that Lacys personal subjects and emotional state can be fleshed out to a higher degree in future efforts. Infectious hooks, top quality production and a concise running time - Gemini Rights is a well executed, thoughtful effort that warrants your attention.
Overall Rating: 8.2/10
Favourite Song: Bad Habit
LUNDI
TSR was started with a major emphasis on finding new artists to enjoy. Ones we could spin daily and hype to our friends. Even when these artists turn out to be bad, it can be enjoyable to shoot off and poke fun. This weeks artist, Steve Lacy, unfortunately falls right smack in the middle with his second studio Gemini Rights resulting more in a perfect distraction than providing any real fun at all. At least that’s how I feel. Let me tell you why.
While I’m far from a long time fan of Lacy it’s easy to see the collaborative production approach on Gemini Rights benefits his output. The album features a much longer list of contributors than his previous solo efforts which were developed primarily off a jailbroken iPhone and that direction results in grander compilation. Every detail here is meticulously crafted with precision. The bluesy guitars, which are a Lacy staple, are combined with smooth jazz, funk, and hop-hop elements to form a pleasant albeit sometimes subtle track list. The album is oozing with potential for an eclectic and invigorating live show filled with brass instruments and multiple guitars.
Despite the gorgeous production, Lacy himself fails to elevate. Even with studio magic his vocals do not impress and sometimes even take away from the album positives. Particularly on the back end of the album everything just begins to feel jumbled and as a listener I found myself wandering and completely disinterested. His motifs are repetitive and while I can certainly respect the hardship of a broken heart, the lyrics are too on the nose for continued personal enjoyment.
Gemini Rights and Steve Lacy in general certainly don’t fall within my lane of typical listening and that became clearer with every listen. I won’t argue with anyone who loves this album and I won’t disagree with someone who hates it. I can see both sides of the coin clearly and that’s why this is a middle of the road soon the be forgotten album.
Gemini Rights is yet another album with near flawless production that is let down by vocals and lyrics. Steve Lacy is much better behind the mixing board than he is at the mic. Uber talented, but GR is a mostly forgettable album.
Overall Rating: 6.6/10
Favourite Song: Static
REID
Two days ago, episode 9 of the TSR podcast was released. We had an informal discussion on reviewing music, our personal tastes and how it has influenced our creative process. We’re different today than how we started. And who knows where we’ll be in a year. This week’s journey leads me, once again, to a man and genre I probably would not have given a second thought before. American R&B singer-songwriter, Steve Lacy, with his 2nd studio album, Gemini Rights.
My first exposure to Steve was with the single, Bad Habit. Right or wrong, when I hear a new artist, I often think who they remind me of. Comparisons can set unfair expectations but it’s common in many professions, especially two of my favourites; music and sports. When I think of R&B, I think of Usher and all those love songs from early 2000’s from the silky-smooth son of a gun. This song reminded me more of this guy. I held out hope it was just this one song but ultimately my first impression rung true.
As I listened to more of the album and dug a little deeper into its creation, I was impressed to hear Steve had produced about 90% of the record himself. The strongest parts are undoubtedly the music and to know he is the mind behind the jazzy, funky style is a major redeeming quality. The biggest problems are the lyrics and the way they’re delivered. You’d expect seductive and gentlemen-like words to accompany the sexy, sultry music but this is far from what you get. There’s nothing wrong with trashy music but in combination with the instrumentals, it just doesn’t fit.
In my review of Beyonce’s Renaissance, I praised her uncanny ability to perfect multiple vocal styles. Steve attempts to do the same but falls short of the mark. The man can sing, let’s make that clear. Switching to sub-par talking, rapping, chanting and whatever other term you want to use to describe his delivery really sank this reviewer’s rating.
Gemini Rights gets marks for Steve’s funky, psychedelic music and overall pleasant listening experience. His ability to do the lion’s share of production on his own is always a major plus. He loses me with questionable lyrics and an oftentimes annoying vocal style leading to an odd sum of its parts. It leaves this reviewer wondering if I’m too far out of my lane.
Overall Rating: 6.4/10
Favourite Song: Sunshine