Album Review - Steve Lacy: Gemini Rights
SOFT 8/10
Static (8.5/10): The opening track for Gemini Rights is a timid introspection on Lacy’s love-life. He could be questioning a past lover, or simply talking to himself, about the false pretenses that sometimes can consume a romantic relationship. Lacy interrogates whoever this track is targeted towards about their superficial tendencies to find meaning in life, whether it’s through drugs, sexual pleasure or materialism. Lacy sounds bitter at first, almost as if he’s desperate for an explanation, but the track concludes with him stating that “if you had to stunt your shining for your lover/dump that fucker”; an emphatic declaration of self-worth established over soft keys and a lush guitar.
Helmet (7.5/10): Lacy is a lot more vocally personable, but lyrically shallow, on “Helmet” in comparison to the album’s introduction. The title itself refers to the cautionary measures that sometimes need to be taken in a relationship that lacks reciprocation; this includes knowing when to call it quits. The instrumental is produced by Lacy himself and is driven by a persistent soulful bassline, but Lacy’s inconsistent melodies can cause the track to be slightly difficult to engage with.
Mercury (9/10): The bossa nova production that “Mercury” embraces is extremely nuanced and provided the perfect standard for Lacy to match his performance to. Unintelligible melodies that occur throughout the track are enthusiastic and full of raw emotion, while Lacy searches for an emotional balance that is guided by his strong faith in astrological lore. Lacy debates whether it’s time to slow down his romantic excursions in order to finally settle down in life, but his two-sided nature seems to constantly restrict him from doing so.
Buttons (9/10): “Buttons” sees Lacy at his most vulnerable. The synth-heavy instrumental conforms around Lacy’s lyrics and growing sensitivity until he and his lover finally let their guards down. Unfortunately for Lacy though, he’s ultimately paid back for his susceptibility by being treated like a trophy, rather than someone whom others could see as a realistic part of their future. The song’s outro features heavy guitar instrumentation that complements Lacy’s powerful reaction to this situation.
Bad Habit (8/10): When “Bad Habit” was released as a single, following “Mercury”, I was disappointed by the step back that it felt like Lacy took by reverting to a comfortable pop formula. Usually when a song blows up at the caliber that this one did, I grow even more disdain for the irrelevant fact of how much it overflows my earways. Contrasting this prejudice though, “Bad Habit” grew on me as a simply catchy tune with an incredibly infectious chorus and a passionate outro that consists of what sounds like beat-boxing among Lacy’s most powerful portion of singing.
2Gether (Enterlude) (feat. Matt Martians) (N/A): The album’s interlude figuratively and literally splits the LP into two sections. The first half being when Lacy is struggling to grasp his self-worth and whether he should continue to tie it to his significant other, and the other being when Lacy decides that the concept of being “together forever” is just a hope of the past. The twinkling instrumental that coats the short track emphasizes its introspectively surreal nature.
Cody Freestyle (8/10): To classify this song as a freestyle is fitting, as it often feels like we are hearing Lacy’s stream of consciousness. The ethereal instrumentation is relaxed and allows Lacy to ruminate within his lyrics until it swells up into his chorus where he questions a potential lover about why they’re bothering him unless it’s for sex. The next verse builds upon Lacy’s transition from appreciating the virtue of love into only caring for the shallow aspects of a relationship that result in instant gratification. The song’s structure can become amorphous at points, but it feels like a genuine vision into Lacy’s psyche.
Amber (7/10): Lacy is back self-producing with this short piano-ballad that unfortunately never stylistically evolves into anything beyond its surface level. Lacy also reintegrates his higher-pitched vocals that he seems to fancy throughout Gemini Rights, but “Amber” feels like one of the more aimless tracks on the album.
Sunshine (feat. Foushee) (8/10): “Sunshine”’s lyrics encapsulate the pettiness that Lacy has embraced as an aspect of his newfound Gemini persona with confrontational lines such as “Sayin’ “My ex” like my name ain’t Steve/gave you a chance and some dopamine/safe to say, after me you peaked/still I’ll give you dick anytime you need.” Lacy’s confidence is oozing throughout this guitar-riddled cut and Foushee’s smoky vocals provide a more sympathetic approach to her opposite’s bitterness.
Give You The World (7.5/10): Gemini Rights’ closer features a much more psychedelic rhythm to it, reminiscent of soul legends like Bootsy Collins or Stevie Wonder. Lacy’s conclusive track showcases his growing self-awareness of his unruly and toxic personality that has caused such a polarizing effect on his love life. The harmonies throughout the track are soothing and a lot more of a peaceful reckoning than you’d expect based off of his prior performances on the album.