Steve Lacy’s second solo album, Gemini Rights, is a genre-bending, emotionally raw and refreshingly honest piece of work.

Released in July 2022, the project is both a breakup album and a journey of self-exploration. The songs are accompanied by dreamy guitars, funky rhythm and sharp lyrics that hit where it hurts and stick with you. 

At just 10 tracks and around 35 mins long, Gemini Rights doesn’t waste time, and every song feels intentional. Lacy weaves together alternative R&B, funk, rock and soul into something that is uniquely his. 

This album isn’t aiming for perfection; it’s about expression. Lacey is not afraid to take risks and say what’s on his mind, and even if some songs don’t land perfectly, they still feel purposeful. 

The project opens with Static, a laid-back track with a gentle guitar, airy vocals and a bit of distortion. 

The lyrics come in sharp: “Baby, you got something in your nose, Sniffin that K, did you feel the hole?” 

From the start, he sets the tone for an album that’s not afraid to be messy, personal and direct. It’s something to admire, really, if I’m being honest. 

To me, that’s one of Gemini’s Rights’ biggest strengths, the ability to connect with the audience on a personal level even when we’re not listening to our personal experiences but his own. 

The second track, Helmet, is another standout. It’s funkier, faster and full of lyrical defiance. 

Lacy sings about reclaiming control of his heart and mind post-breakup.

“I tried my best to be worth all your while, you just got to let me go as I try to let go of you,” he sings, and “But loving you was a hazard, so I got my heart a helmet.”

It’s moments like these where he flips the typical love song on its head, giving listeners a deeper look at his inner conflict; wanting connection but it not being good for his heart, so needing to look the other way and move on with his life before he gets more hurt. 

Then comes Mercury, one of the more experimental songs on the album. 

This is a jazzy and unpredictable song (especially on first listen) with tempo shifts and surreal lyrics that reference astrology and emotional duality (hence the album’s title, also referencing his zodiac sign). 

Lacy is a Gemini, and throughout the album he plays into the idea of dual identities of both a lover and a loner, who is confident and confused. 

Mercury captures that energy perfectly, and it might take a couple of listens to really appreciate just how layered it is. 

But the centerpiece of the album is undoubtedly Bad Habit. The song exploded on TikTok and eventually hit No.1 on the Billboard Hot 100, staying there for 3 weeks, an unexpected achievement for a track so quirky and raw. 

What makes Bad Habit so addictive is how casual it feels even when dealing with serious regret.

“I wish I knew you wanted me,” Lacy sings, in a way that’s both playful and devastating. 

The guitar riffs are catchy, the groove is undeniable and the structure of the song keeps you guessing.

On the closer, Give You the World, Lacy returns to his guitar roots, delivering a dreamy, almost nostalgic finale. It’s a love song that feels like a parallel universe where things did work out. After all the emotional ups and downs on the album, it’s a soft finish to calm you down—a reminder that Steve Lacy is still learning.

Production-wise, Gemini Rights is impressive. It’s mostly produced by Lacy himself, which is no small feat. 

Lacy’s attention to detail is clear in every layer, from the lo-fi texture to the crisp base. He knows how to balance vulnerability with groove and roughness, adding to the emotional rawness of the project.

What’s most exciting about Gemini Rights is how fearless it is. Lacy doesn’t box himself into a genre or a narrative. He’s fluid in his sound and that freedom is what makes the album resonate. 

In a music landscape that often values virality over vulnerability, Gemini Rights is a rare gem. 

It’s mostly all a reminder that art is most powerful when it’s honest. 

Steve Lacy has crafted a record that speaks to heartbreak, growth and the complicated process of finding yourself.

For fans of Prince, Frank Ocean and Tyler the Creator, this album is a must-listen, and even if you’re not familiar with Lacy’s past work, Gemini Rights is a great entry point. It’s fresh and deeply human, a sonic snapshot of a young artist navigating life, love and everything in between.