A Review of Steve Lacy’s Gemini Rights – Caught Between Reality and Dreams
Photo by Julian Klincewicz
Steve Lacy has been a lead innovator of this generation of music. He is well known for his successful beginnings within the DIY community, joining the alternative R&B group The Internet in just his teen years. Now, at 24 years old, Lacy has released three solo projects, with his latest album, Gemini Rights, being the third. As an artist, Lacy has garnered a reputation that reflects his avant-garde contributions to music, spanning across various genres. Here we will dive into Gemini Rights, released on July 15, 2022. This album is a strong collection of songs that encapsulate Lacy’s abilities as a novel songwriter, vocalist and instrumentalist. Reigning in as one of my favorite albums released this year, Lacy takes us into his ephemeral grasp, crossing the line between stark reality and illusionary dreams.
The first track on the album, “Static,” has become a welcomed fan favorite. It’s slow and melodic, easing us into Lacy’s framework of a tender and yearning subconsciousness. The album, revolving around a breakup, introduces its unwavering theme right off the bat. Lacy leaves us infatuated with his languid piano notes and dreamy conclusion infused with rich, soulful harmonies. His lyrics are conversational, bringing us into the mindset of tension between lovers. He writes “hope you find peace for yourself / new boyfriend ain’t gon’ fill the void.” He embodies that angst we have after a relationship ends here, pointing it out directly.
“Helmet,” the second track, sets the pace of the album. With light piano and a continual beat, Lacy creates a flowing sound that carries the listener along. Hints of his earlier music make their way into this song. However, we can see how much he has progressed as an artist, taking note of the space-like sounds and synths he integrates into this track along with others of the album. “Helmet” genuinely commemorates the act of moving on, promoting the idea “of focusing on yourself.” This song secured its place as one of my favorites due to Lacy’s resonating lyricism and captivating funky beats.
Up next is the track “Mercury,” which heavily stands out within the album. It opens up with TV static, almost like an interruption. Lacy heavily lays on these high pitch vocals that are dabbled throughout the song, making it feel symphonic. Lyrically, it feels as if Lacy’s thoughts are spewing out. The dam is broken as he jumps from one focus to the next, all in the range of the high emotion we experience in the wake of a relationship. The ending of the song can be peeled back, layer after layer in astrological thought. This song was initially released as a single this past June, slowly unraveling the mirage of Gemini Rights.
The fourth track on the album is “Buttons.” While this song did not make it into my favorites at first, I believe it is an essential part to the album. Lacy spews out a storyline centered around the taking and giving of love. He makes the stagnant promise that “I will never not love you.” The track feels like the lull of uncontrollable emotions, seeping through his fingers in all directions. Lacy repeats the line “about my pride” numerous times at the end, stretching his voice over the building chords in a loose finality. I think the track definitely highlights Lacy’s ability to find a certain chemistry between his vocals and instrumentals as he bounded over simple, direct lyrics.
We are greeted in the middle of the album by the track that cannot escape our train of thought – “Bad Habit.” Sometimes songs become popular and I find myself wondering what made that particular song stand out. However, with this track, its popularity is blatantly clear and does not require questioning – the song is entirely deserving of its attention. With the soft, high pitched whispers that break into Lacy’s voice crooning out “I wish I knew you wanted me,” we are entranced. Lacy keeps us there, captured by his fun cuts and catchy lyricism. Released originally as a single, it became a favorite immediately.
Guiding us into the second half of the album is a fifty second “enterlude” titled “2Gether” with Matt Martians. This track being performed and produced with Martians is a nod to Lacy’s beginnings with the household R&B group The Internet. In conjunction with the album, the track definitely contributes to the dreamscape that Lacy holds us in. Like an airport, it feels like a liminal space – a space between two places. We’re stuck in this honeymoon hypnosis, hearing “together, forever” repeated on and on.
We then dive into “Cody Freestyle,” which feels like a sharp jerk to reality after “2Gether (Enterlude). He even acknowledges in this song that “We don’t gotta be together (together) forever (forever) / ‘Cause I could (‘cause I could) / do better (do better).” Lyrically, this song is one of the heavier tracks, where Lacy points out direct issues in the relationship depicted here. We are no longer in this utopic space that is “Bad Habit” and “2Gether.” Instead, Lacy practices sheer vulnerability and purges his thoughts in his freestyle. His voice echoes across sonically dreamy keyboard tones. The stark contrast between Lacy’s euphoric themes and scathing lyrics creates an eerie feeling to this track, encapsulating the confusion surpassed by unhealthy relationships.
The eighth track, “Amber,” is one of my favorites from the album. Lacy opens up with a story, backed up by cheerful piano. However, the lyrics do not follow this brighter theme and instead lead us into that solemn yearning that this album coins. Lacy integrates symphony-like voices into this song, creating a cinematic effect. He draws his voice out various times throughout the song, letting his lines linger within the air. The end of the song features pleasingly unpredictable guitar chords mixed in with Lacy’s fluctuating vocals, hitting our highs and lows.
Another single released just two days prior is “Sunshine” with Foushee, which is the ninth track on the album. This song is a sweet serenade, revealing a timeless harmony between both artists. It takes us back into Lacy’s dreamscape after facing grim reality for the past two tracks. Lyrically, Lacy speaks in bittersweet messages. He describes a feeling some are all too familiar with – the desire to be there for someone who is not in your life anymore. He sings “I would let you cut the line / Just so I could be right where you are.” Foushee made a great addition to the song and album, bringing in a sound that reminds me of Daniel Caesar's song “Get You.” This track falls into that group of songs that brings instant sunshine, dabbled in a painful bittersweetness.
The album ends with the song “Give You the World.” Ending with this track, I began to think of what message Lacy was leaving us with here. Lacy drives the line between “I’ll give you the world” and “I gave you the world,” a contemplative note of past and present. This track feels the most introspective in a way, discovering a small victory in closure, making the album feel complete upon finish. This song grew on me tremendously as Lacy’s vulnerability felt resonating. On top of that, his yearning vocals and soothing guitar chords created a sound that I could absolutely melt into. At the end of the album, I was left with satisfaction in recognition due especially to its final track.