Steve Lacy — Gemini Rights

By now, practically everyone with a pulse has heard Bad Habit by Steve Lacy, the fifth track and the second single on his most recent release. The singer’s highly anticipated second studio album, Gemini Rights, was dropped in the middle of this summer, quickly followed by a tour announcement that had an insanely quick presale sell out for nearly every date. The album, a short but sweet compilation of 10 songs about the turbulence of every emotion attached to love, manages to maintain a distinct Lacy feel that fans can all recognize while also notably distinguishing itself from his other works. All throughout Gemini Rights, Steve bleeds raw sincerity through heartfelt lyrics backed by instrumentals ranging from upbeat and playful to vindictive and acidic. With Tiktok fame helping him along, the 24 year old is quickly putting himself amongst the likes of Tyler, the Creator and Frank Ocean (which is pretty fitting considering his association with Odd Future members through his membership in The Internet as the band's bassist).

Gemini Rights has, for the most part, been handed stellar reviews, with sites like The Guardian rating it 5/5 stars and tracks like Bad Habit skyrocketing to the top of Billboard's Hot 100. Here’s my unfiltered take on Gemini Rights, the album that "glows like a Freaky Summer Love" (Joshi).

1. STATIC

Track 1, titled Static, separates itself from the more "light" sounding of the other tracks on the album, backed by somber piano notes instead of the upbeat instrumentals heard later on. Lacy’s vocals are highlighted in this track, adding a more emotional feel to the song as it forces the listener to really focus on the lyrics. This is one of the more popular songs off the album and for good reason. Not only is it beautifully sung, the lyrics have an immeasurable depth and really hit home when paired with the simple, sweet sounding instrumental. According to Genius, “Steve talks about his past lover’s struggles .. coping [with] empty feelings. He explains to them that he doesn’t need the same old partner like he needed before to keep moving forward.” I think Steve has such a creative, unique way of storytelling in his music - from the witty lyrics he raps riddled with double entendres to the amount of time spent considering the composition of each and every track. Static provides a perfect example of this, and showcases Steve's true talent when it comes to every aspect of production from the simplest of tracks to the most complex.

Notable line: if you have to stunt your shining for your lover, dump that f—

2. HELMET

In Helmet, Steve sings of conflict within himself, citing anger in his lyrics at his overly attached partner while maintaining lingering feelings of desire. Steve delivers yet another exceptional track with Helmet, offering beautiful, bittersweet storytelling that layers funky, soulful guitar chords and piano riffs beneath honey-sweet vocals. Definitely a track that allowed Steve's unique artistry to shine. Simply brilliant.

Notable line: But lovin' you was a hazard, So I got my heart a helmet

3. MERCURY.

Mercury finds Steve at a crossroads yet again, lyrics filled with a mix of vitriol and regret at the sour ending to his past relationship. Mercury is a fantastic track, unique in its composition and an eccentric yet phenomenal addition to not only Gemini Rights but Lacy’s discography as a whole. Mercury is 4 and a half minutes of gripping lyrics crooned to complex chords that breach your ears from all directions. This track is certainly a highlight of the album, yet again displaying Steve's exemplary ability to convey sad story telling in creative, unorthodox ways as well as showcasing his undying versatility as an artist. Mercury is a very well composed song and undoubtedly a highlight of the album.

Notable line: Daddy's faults fell down on me, Break that curse for sweet relief

4. BUTTONS ☆

Buttons is one of the most intense feeling tracks off the album, Lacy making the most out of his outstanding bass skills. The lyrics place Steve in his room with his lover, baring his vulnerability to them and getting manipulated and mistreated in return. The ferocity with which Steve spits the bitter lyrics add to the scalding potency of the track. Buttons sounds somewhat reminiscent of an Yves Tumor song, the way it's got such an experimental rock and roll feel to it. However, there is an undeniable Lacy-trademarked touch to the song that makes it so special. This is another song, like Mercury, with a more distinguished, alternative feel to it that can certainly be called a highlight of the album. The feel of this song definitely speaks to Lacy’s lack of fear when it comes to branching out and exploring his range.

Notable line: You ran away to save yourself from the rain

5. BAD HABIT

Bad Habit is probably the most “fun” sounding song about regret on the planet, the topic being a recurring theme on the album. Another single off the album and the track that comes right in the middle, Bad Habit finds Steve stuck in the past, regretful of his inability to express his red hot attraction to the person he wanted the most. This can’t be said for many songs that get ran through by Tiktok, but Bad Habit has an insane amount of replay value. The lyrics, though semi-tragic, are sung to a sanguine instrumental, with upbeat drums and groovy guitar plucks that make this song downright addicting. Bad Habit is Steve Lacy in his element. It’s no surprise that it’s managed to stay on the Billboard Hot 100 for 34 weeks, peaking at #2.

This is, without a doubt, a summer hit, and will retain that title for years to come. A pure classic.

Notable line: It's Biscuits, it's gravy babe

6. 2GETHER (Enterlude)

Less than a minute long, 2GETHER is nice and slow. There's a sort of whimsical, magic feel to the short interlude that kind of makes you want to loop it over and over, but there’s also an underlying melancholic tone to the song. The message is pretty vague as the majority of the tracks duration is filled up by Steve’s repeated mantra: “together forever”. Even without fully grasping the message, however, listeners can tell that even a brief interlude like this is chock full of emotion and weighty significance. Steve gives 110% on every song on this album, no matter the length. Great track.

7. CODY FREESTYLE

In Cody Freestyle, Steve sings of resentment about codependency in his past relationship, pushing for distance because he could “do better” than his overdependent, bothersome partner. Cody Freestyle is the kind of song that transports you into the artists mind; with nothing but soft chords and even softer vocals to focus on, the lyrics clearly stand out. Yet again, there’s a distinct intensity in this song, remaining consistent with other tracks on the album mentioned before. Where a song like Buttons conveyed that intensity through the pulsating bass, Cody Freestyle displays it through deep, meaningful writing.

Notable line: It's just that I don't like that tied-down s— if you not tryna put the leg work in

8. AMBER

Amber is the kind of song you could randomly throw in a musical and have no one in the audience sense anything was amiss. Like many other songs on the album, Lacy expresses steady-building feelings of regret towards meeting his significant other on Amber. According to Genius, this track's piano instrumental was self-produced by Lacy. Considering the fact that many of his older projects were produced with little more than Steve’s iPhone, guitar, and his Garageband knowledge, the quality of this track isn’t the least bit surprising. Once more, Lacy shows that he is a natural born artist, talented in so many facets of music production with the expertise of a seasoned pro. Listening to this album, you would never tell he had his humble beginnings mixing on Garageband on his iPhone.

Notable line: The look in your eye lets me know I'm mesmerized

9. SUNSHINE ☆

This is a personal favorite off the album. Sunshine is such an amazing, well-made song. It embodies the funky-honeyed vibe his other projects have had in the past, but enhances it to the max while being paired with Foushee’s impeccable vocals. The chorus is addictive and

saccharine sweet, telling of relit sparks and the revival of old emotions. This is yet another song with incredible replay value. The emotions felt during the first listen are replicated with each and every playback. I’m completely obsessed with the sound of the drums on this song. If I were to show someone one song off the album to persuade them to check it out, it would without a doubt be this one.

Notable line: I would let you cut the line just so I could be right where you are

10. GIVE YOU THE WORLD

Give You The World is an amazing closer to an amazing album. In Give You The World, Steve questions what he needs to do to “get closer” to his partner, begging for forgiveness and saying that he’d do anything – would even “give them the world”. Give You the World is such a feel good song, the tone and melody giving off an immersive, slow jazz feel. Finishing the album off with this track left me with such a satisfied, content feeling. Quite literal music to your ears.

Notable line: You're so fickle and cold but you feel so electric

In closing, Steve Lacy provided us with an amazing album touching on themes of lovesickness, regret and starting anew and proving there’s no better way to get revenge on your ex-boyfriend than picking up your guitar and making a killer, billboard-beast of an album. Of all the emotions Steve manages to pull from me through Gemini Rights, the biggest is excitement for what’s to come of Lacy next. For his second studio album, this is such a big statement and the fact that he still has even more blooming and maturing to do as an artist means that everyone should be in high anticipation of what he’s got in store in the future. This is the perfect listen for fans of Tyler, Frank, The Internet, Blood Orange and Yves Tumor. The album is a solid 4.8/5 stars for me and I hope you’ll give it a listen if you haven’t on any streaming service you can find.