Steve Lacy astonishes the world with a captivating voice and tunes as if he had Bragi’s own Golden Harp with the Song of Life in his intricate album, Gemini Rights. This lyrical mastermind grabs listeners attention by containing a diversity of music genres of Rock, R&B, Funk, Jazz, Psych and Hip-Hop. On top of that, it is the most collaborative collection of songs put together in his history. 

Lacy takes on a recent breakup as inspiration to his lyrics and the entirety of this album. In all ten songs, there is a link to a love story. There also are deeper and hidden meanings behind rhyme scheme, vocal chords, titles, and the music itself. 

The first importance at hand is, why Gemini Rights? At first glance, you would assume an astrological association. In truth, it has an astrological character background. Lacy admires every single artist that is a Gemini and repeatedly details the specialty of Geminis in his songs. 

On the astrological part, Geminis are considered myths or legends. Resorting to astrology in love life too as Venus is in retrograde, “But I could be your girlfriend til retrograde is done.” To the meaning of the rights, it refers him taking pride in being bisexual and his own culture. As we know, Lacy transforms into focusing on females rather than males(bisexual), from the get-go during “Static.”

 The sole purpose of Lacy’s album is intended for each individual to relate to any song in their own way, whether it be heartbreak, love, or recovery. Out of a word for word, bar for bar study over his pieces of art, there are many stages of love to note. 

The stages of a love story in this album include: running away from a relationship, being used and self-realization of it ending, being apologetic of hurting and finding pleasure in it, introduction to love as they are always in your mind, living in the moment and taking chances, fairy tale similarity, issue of codependency, long distance and compatibility, attachment issues, compliancy and full understanding. 

In all honesty, to any individual, you can take these lyrics in a myriad of manners. However, two understandings I have taken upon would include lessons from “Sunshine” and “Bad Habits.” “Sunshine” revolves around a break-up that still retains feelings. “Bad Habits” speaks on the missed opportunity. 

Personally, I consider Lacy to sounds like Michael Jackson in “Amber” and “Give You the World.” The slowness and edging into high/low notes gives suspense and a heavenly nature. It either feels as if you are floating in a hot air balloon or skydiving off of Mount Everest. 

Taking a closer look into studio productions or artistic liberation, Steve uses wordplay and many metaphors. In “Static,” he says,“something made me- *cough*.” As listeners would easily predict the next line saying ‘cough’ at the end, he inserts an actual cough. Secondly, in “Helmet,” he states, “But lovin you was a hazard, so I got my heart a helmet.” He mentions a helmet(referring to title too), which is securing himself from distance or inevitabilities in romance.

Next, in “Mercury,” he sings, “Oh, I know myself, my sins, dug my pit, then i fell in, pulled that trigger, killed us both.” This chorus is to be repeatedly used throughout the song and the melody is fantastic and conveys his message of fault. Furthermore, in “Buttons,” Lacy declares, “you took me all around then treat me like a dog and make me walk for miles and then you held me up.” He shows listeners how our pride and ego are harsh. The ego is not self and therefore you need to lower your guard. Button’s intro sounds as if it were a Wonder Woman original series intro. 

In “Bad Habit,” he uses the phrases: “Tongue tied” and “is biscuits, is gravy”. A main them is showing that they found the right person in him and they are going to miss him. In the second quote, the audio is rather corny but fitting. Biscuits and gravy are considered a delectable breakfast food and comparing it to finding THE right person is accurate. “2Gether” was a really short and sweet. It focused heavily on piano keys and had tunes like a bedtime song or nursery rhyme. 

Soon after, Lacy states in “Cody Freestyle,” “If you not tryna put the leg work in, please, don’t bother me. Don’t depend on me, no.” Codependency having importance and the efforts of a couple affect the outcome is his message. “Cody” is even short for codependency. During “Amber,” he says, “You’ll be back next Saturday.” This shot up a multitude of questions. Are they long distance? Friends with benefits? Or, what else? It gives a peek into an undedicated relationship, but continuing to have one another. 

Second to last, Steve focuses on never leaving your partner emotionally, whether you are broken up and having trouble forgetting about them, although, not the person but the idea. At long last, Lacy concludes with a slow and steady pace. He uses weather to be with one another, doubts himself as worthy for love, and describes love itself. Love is scary, warm, hates and changes. He knows all the dedication and sacrifices made. 

My all time favorite has to be “Give you the World,” altogether a godly sound with the most lovely music. For the greater population of internet users, “Bad Habit” is vastly viral. Every normal human being would have at least heard this one on the radio or seen it on social media. It is too popular to be true. 

Steve Lacy managed to get his album in the cannon of a circus, exploding into the air and landing into the rope web. These daily enjoyers are associating it to their life just as Lacy intended either in romantic of one’s self whilst hanging onto ethnic heritage. He is as happy as anyone lifted up hearing his angelic voice. Entirely, Gemini Rights, steps onto a pedestal higher than gold. Let’s say, diamond!