Hannah’s Interlude

“Gemini Rights” got me through college applications. The stress of writing supplements, acquiring recommendation letters and perfecting my personal essay was accompanied by Steve Lacy’s iconic falsetto.

As someone who doesn’t usually listen to R&B, this album really surprised me when I first listened to it. It’s a criminally underrated album that infuses fun elements like zodiac signs with more complicated subjects like navigating the end of a relationship. Lacy explores themes of multidimensionality through zodiac signs. What had the potential to be a very sad album feels hopeful instead, and that is the magic of Steve Lacy.

Released in 2022 with 10 songs, “Gemini Rights” is still a relevant, captivating album.

Fun Fact: A few of the songs on this album were created through GarageBand.

Static

Hannah: I don’t know about y’all, but the opening piano notes on this song bring me back to 2022, when the album first came out. The piano is cozy, the guitar is twangy, the harmonies are beautiful and Lacy’s perfectly timed pauses give the song a unique rhythm. My favorite part about this song is how Lacy speaks directly to a past partner of his, making the song an intimate, prolonged conversation about his past relationship. You might as well be in the room with him. The abrupt ending leaves listeners in anticipation for the rest of the track.
Favorite Lyric: “Do you even really like this track?/Take away the drugs, would you feel the noise?”
Rating: 9/10

Angel: After the first couple piano notes I’m instantly transported into a field of flowers. The slow beat is relaxing and soothing, lulling me into a calm state. Lacy’s upbeat voice is a nice contrast with the mellow beat of the song. The conversational tone of the lyrics makes me even more immersed in the song. I feel like he’s talking directly to me even though I know he is conversing with a past lover. This song is a great opener to the album and gives foreshadowing to what the album will be about.
Favorite Lyric: “Hope you find peace for yourself/New boyfriend ain’t gon’ fill the void.”
Rating: 8/10

Helmet

Hannah: In this song, Lacy perfectly encapsulates relationship nostalgia with his crooning vibrato. His lyrics are longing and bittersweet while the beat is funky and stylish. This demonstrates the major theme of the album: duality. It highlights how one can’t help reminiscing about the good times as well as the bad. It’s this duality that gives the album its name, as Geminis are a star sign commonly thought to be “two-faced”. As a fellow Gemini, I appreciate how Lacy realizes duality isn’t such a bad thing.
Favorite Lyric: “I tried my best to be worth all your while.”
Rating: 8/10

Angel: I love Lacy’s voice! He sounds so carefree, which correlates with the meaning of the song. In this track, Lacy is trying to leave his clingy partner mentioned in “Static”. I appreciate how Lacy is able to masterfully convey the complex meaning of the song with an upbeat tone. The song is about how Lacy is finally coming to terms with his conflicting views with his partner. He explores their different views of who he should be. He tackles the unrealistic expectations his partner has of him and his desire to only be his true self. This song is an anthem of self-acceptance and independence, a great listen for when you just get out of a break up.
Favorite Lyric: “All that I can be is me and all me.”
Rating: 9.5/10

Mercury

Hannah: How would I sum up a Gemini in one word? Chaotic. This song is so on-the-nose, it’s genius. The radio tuning at the beginning, the layers upon layers of vocals, the organs and horns, the synthesizer and fast-paced beat. All of these elements would usually make a song overstimulating. Lacy, however, blends them together easily with his iconic falsetto. The lyrics speak about being impulsive when it comes to love, which is yet another trait belonging to Geminis. Mentions of Venus being in retrograde is ‘zodiac speak’ for breaking up a relationship, which Lacy has done. Also, Mercury is Gemini’s ruling planet, so all of the terminology in the lyrics and the themes of the song are wrapped up perfectly.
Favorite Lyric: “It’s a thrill, and I don’t even know how to feel.”
Rating: 8/10

Angel: I’m going to be honest…this song is just okay. I don’t care for the slow beat, as it drowns out Lacy’s voice. This is disheartening because his voice is my favorite part of his songs. I don’t like the busy nature of the song but I do like its meaning: that Lacy is recovering from his past relationship with the partner mentioned in the previous two tracks. Lacy also delves into his double-sided nature, which is something I can relate to because I am also a Gemini. Overall this song is okay; Fousheé’s supporting vocals made the song more enjoyable but I wanted to hear more from Lacy.
Favorite Lyric: “Daddy’s faults fell down on me/Break that curse for sweet relief.”
Rating: 6/10

Buttons

Hannah: This song is the opposite from the previous few songs. Now, Lacy’s vocals are decisive and loud, and the synth in this song is dreamy. This song is full of tension and regret. While I do like this song, there’s just nothing special about it. It’s a good song, but not my favorite by far.
Favorite Lyric: “I will never not love you, not love you.”
Rating: 5/10

Angel: I feel like I’m on a cloud everytime I listen to this song. Lacy’s voice paired with the low tempo is soothing. I can feel Lacy fall in love with a new partner as the song progresses. However, his feelings change towards the end, which is represented by the loud guitar in the background. The end leaves you yearning for more of the dreamy synth in the beginning, but you’re forced to accept the chaotic beat. This shift makes the story conveyed by the track even more heartfelt and beautiful.
Favorite Lyric: “I will never not love you.”
Rating: 7/10

Bad Habit

Hannah: This is probably my favorite song on the album. Basic, I know, but it’s just so catchy! It’s funky and refreshing. All about missing an opportunity for romance, the lyrics are relatable to just about everyone. This song speaks for itself.
Favorite Lyric: “You can’t surprise a Gemini/I’m everywhere, I’m cross-eyed.”
Rating: 10/10

Angel: This is the most popular song on the album and for a good reason. It is fun and exciting. I find myself pretending to bite my tongue every time Lacy sings “I bite my tongue it’s a bad habit.” I also relate to what the song is about, which is not telling the person you’re attracted to how you feel. I have never built up the courage to confess and I always regret it, just like Lacy.
Favorite Lyric: “Kinda mad that I didn’t take a stab at it/Thought you were too good for me, my dear.”
Rating: 10/10

2Gether

Hannah: This short song is super boring. It’s not even a minute long, and while it’s pretty ethereal, it’s also repetitive. Maybe that’s the point though? Lacy repeats over and over again, “Together forever,” like he’s trying to convince himself that a relationship will work out. But even while I’m saying that, I still feel like I’m overanalyzing this song. However, I do like the cheeky part where Lacy tells the audience that the song is about them. I’m a sucker for artists breaking the fourth wall.
Favorite Lyric: “It’s about you.”
Rating: 3/10

Angel: Yawn. What else can I say? This song is just an interlude. I can imagine that this song is about his relationship with the person he was attracted to in “Buttons” and how it will work out. This is because of the repeated “together forever.” However, even with that context, I don’t really care for the song.
Favorite Lyric: “Twinklin’, twinklin’ hearts.”
Rating: 4/10

Cody Freestyle

Hannah: The synth in this song is an immediate sign that it’s about to be good. While this isn’t a song you can dance to, Lacy’s breathy falsetto speaks to the feeling of being with a person who is way too needy. Codependency is a big theme here, with Lacy feeling like he’s doing all of the work in his relationship and knowing he doesn’t need to. I like how consistently Lacy speaks to the audience on this album, showing us some of the problems he’s had in past relationships. The harmonizing is beautiful and the lyrics are pretty catchy, but there’s nothing putting this song over the top.
Favorite Lyric: “If you not tryna put the leg work in/Please don’t bother me.”
Rating: 7/10

Angel: Beautiful. Listening to the ethereal synth takes my breath away, especially at the end. It feels as though Lacy is finally allowing himself to truly let go of his past relationship. He is aware of how he needs to avoid codependency in relationships and become independent. The first verse and the chorus is where he vents all of his frustrations. However, the end is where he allows himself to be alone and free.
Favorite Lyric: “The feelings I attained.”
Rating: 7.5/10

Amber

Hannah: When the song first starts, the cymbals, piano and “Once upon a time,” lure listeners into thinking the song will be a lovely ballad. This song is not that. As it progresses, Lacy regrets meeting his ex more and more, even seeming to go a little crazy in the end by repeating so. I will admit, I’m missing the commentary on being a Gemini. Maybe he’s trying to comment on how fickle Geminis can be in relationships? I don’t know. I liked how direct he was before, and this song just isn’t like that. Still, I kind of love how cute this ballad feels, even if the lyrics are not so lovey-dovey.
Favorite Lyric: “And one just didn’t know how to handle it.”
Rating: 6/10

Angel: Maybe it’s the slow beat, Lacy’s sad low voice or the somber lyrics, but this song makes me emotional. It truly conveys the messiness of past relationships and the heartbreak that comes with them. As a hopeless romantic, this song plunges me back into reality in the best way possible.
Favorite Lyric: “I can’t help but see your face/The look in your eye lets me know I’m mesmerized.”
Rating: 8/10

Sunshine (ft. Fousheé)

Hannah: This song feels like summer. It’s warm and breezy, and Fousheé’s smooth voice perfectly compliments Lacy’s. This song is all about reconnecting with an ex, which I originally didn’t think made sense. I mean, Lacy has spent all of the previous songs talking about how happy he is that he’s not in a relationship with this person anymore! I mean, maybe it could be a different ex, but I just don’t see that being the case. Again, maybe this all goes to show how indecisive Geminis are… but still. At least the guitar in this song is so vibey that it makes me forget this complete 180.
Favorite Lyric: “Sayin’ ‘My ex’ like my name ain’t Steve.”
Rating: 8/10

Angel: This is hands down my favorite song on the album. I love Fousheé’s voice so much, as she harmonizes well with Lacy. Her deep voice balances out the upbeat synth and Lacy’s high-pitched voice. It’s truly a wonderful listening experience, making me feel like I’m on cloud nine.
Favorite Lyric: “Gave you a chance and some dopamine/Safe to say, after me, you peaked.”
Rating: 10/10

Give You the World

Hannah: I love how peaceful this song is, but it can be boring at times. Lacy’s breathy voice just melts with the groovy, synthy tune. However, as it is the last song on the album, I was hoping for more of a dramatic finish. He should have at least mentioned something about coming full circle, or being a Gemini in love. I loved how on-the-nose his other lyrics were, but the lyrics in this song are just not what I was looking for. He’s basically gotten back together with the person who the album is about and doesn’t mention anything about it. Where is the grand finish that ties this amazing album all together?
Favorite Lyric: “Tell me, what I gotta do?/To move a little closer to you.”
Rating: 5/10

Angel: This song is very relaxing, the slow beat serves as a nice lullaby. I think this was the right choice to end the album because it is very calming. It serves as an end to the chaos that Lacy went through during the album.
Favorite Lyric: “Baby, I want a chance/To get you closer next to me.”
Rating: 6/10

Overall, we highly recommend “Gemini Rights”, and hope that y’all give it a listen.