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Tag: is it cool?

  • Steve Lacy Enlists SZA For ‘Cool’ Duet

    Steve Lacy has spent the better part of a decade navigating the vibrant, often messy intersection of R&B, indie rock, and pop. Now, on his latest single featuring SZA, “is it cool?” doesn’t just blur those lines—it dares to tell the truth.

    Released via RCA Records, the track serves as a tantalizing preview of Lacy’s forthcoming album Oh yeah?, set for release on July 17th. The song dives deep into the often complicated landscapes of intimacy, vulnerability, and self-sabotage, bringing two of contemporary music’s most compelling voices to unpack these messy realities.

    The collaboration has been a long-brewing affair, fueled by months of speculation after Lacy and SZA were spotted working together in the studio earlier this year. “is it cool?” delivers on that anticipation with a fluid arrangement that effortlessly blends bedroom soul traditions with confessional singer/songwriter sensibilities.

    The lyrical exchange is raw and honest. Lacy confronts his own shortcomings with disarming candor, admitting, “I just cheat every now and again / That was hard for me to admit / ‘Cause I really want to commit.” SZA’s response perfectly captures the exhausting nature of emotional exposure: “Being vulnerable is exhausting, babe / Can we get naked instead of talking, babe?”

    This single offers another window into what Lacy describes as his most personal creative project to date. The album Oh yeah? emerged from a four-year period where the artist felt more at home abroad than in his immediate surroundings. While “the feeling” hints at those complex emotions, the track list promises an adventurous collection of sounds, featuring collaborators like Erykah Badu on “pure colour” and experimental pop artist Cecile Believe on “lovesexdrugbomb.”

    Lacy, 28, has already established himself as a significant figure in the music world, having secured two Grammy awards and multiple entries in Spotify’s Billions Club. He is widely celebrated as music “for guitar kids who love synths and synth kids who love guitars.” This new work follows his acclaimed 2022 project Gemini Rights, which launched the worldwide smash “Bad Habit.”

    As Lacy prepares for the release of Oh yeah?, he is embarking on a significant tour, supporting the album with a run of Asian dates starting August 13th in Tokyo. These shows will include headlining appearances at major festivals like Summer Sonic in Japan and the Lalala Festival in Manila and Jakarta, marking his first such extensive schedule since early 2024.

    Credit: Spin

  • Steve Lacy & SZA Link On ‘is it cool?’

    Steve Lacy and SZA Dive into Relationship Chaos with New Single

    The sonic landscape is buzzing as Steve Lacy and SZA team up for their latest offering, the single is it cool?. This new track isn’t just a catchy tune; it’s a deep dive into the messy, wonderful reality of relationships, wrapped in a sound that feels both utterly groovy and cosmically expansive.

    The music itself is a vibrant collision of styles. It’s a funk-infused avant soul masterpiece, characterized by those signature pirouetting guitar lines that dance across the track, complemented by ethereal cosmic sound effects that elevate the mood from mundane heartache to something truly otherworldly.

    More than just a catchy hook, the song serves as an honest reflection on the human condition. Lacy and SZA skillfully explore the often-contradictory nature of their connections, playing out the complex interplay between knotty tendencies and self-sabotaging behaviors that plague both personal relationships and the wider world.

    This collaboration perfectly captures the beautiful chaos of love—the push and pull, the inevitable missteps, and the undeniable allure of living life fully, even when things feel delightfully complicated. It’s a soulful acknowledgment that navigating romance often involves a healthy dose of playful self-doubt.

    The single is it cool? is the latest delicious installment leading up to their forthcoming album, Oh yeah?, scheduled for release on July 17th. Fans can anticipate this new project further exploring the rich emotional textures that define the duo’s unique sound.

    The pairing of Lacy’s soulful introspection and SZA’s smooth, evocative vocals results in a track that is both rhythmically infectious and emotionally resonant, setting a high bar for modern R&B and soul music. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the most compelling stories are found right in the delightful mess of being human.

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    Credit: Clash Magazine

  • Sombr, Phoebe Bridgers, Steve Lacy with SZA & More: New Music Friday Guide

    Right now, the soundtrack of modern pop music is less about perfect melodies and more about raw emotional honesty. Artists are diving headfirst into complex feelings—the messy reality of moving on, navigating trust, and embracing vulnerability—and transforming those heavy subjects into anthems that resonate deeply with listeners.

    This week’s essential releases showcase how brilliantly pop music can manage the tightrope walk between contemplative slow-burn tracks and explosive bangers. From the introspective gloom of sombr’s “My Body Isn’t Ready” to the polished yet angst-filled energy of Phoebe Bridgers, the mood is undeniably reflective.

    Phoebe Bridgers continues her journey with “Lost Boys,” a track that immediately shifts from glitchy, distorted lyrics into a folky, polished pop sound. Co-produced by a stellar group including Jack Antonoff and Tony Berg, the song serves as both a warmly welcomed lead single for her upcoming third album, Lost Weekend”>Lost Weekend, and a subtle nod to the emotional expanse of feeling lost.

    Meanwhile, other artists are tackling the nuances of relationships with equally sharp wit. Steve Lacy delivered “is it cool?” featuring SZA, a track that flips the script on trust. Lacy’s lyrics explore the internal negotiation of faith in partnerships, culminating in the realization: “Maybe I should trust myself.”

    The theme of façade versus reality runs through several releases. Gracie Abrams’ new single, “Look at My Life,” perfectly captures this tension. Under a driving pop production, she juxtaposes denial with harsh truths, asking pointed questions about her carefully constructed life: “Do I look high-functioning or is my façade crumbling?”

    On the more defiant side of the spectrum, Katy Perry announced “Watch It Burn,” bringing a powerful, unapologetic clarity to her sound. Collaborating with a new crew, she delivered a statement focused entirely on self-empowerment: “I’m gonna get what I deserve…Finally I put myself first.”

    The landscape also features incredible explorations of identity and processing grief. East London R&B singer-songwriter kwn continues her ascent with the EP And All Pride Aside”>And All Pride Aside, blending sensual undertones with a journey through personal evolution. This project masterfully flips 00s hip-hop staples while laying down deeply authentic lyrical territory.

    Adding a tender, soulful dimension is New Zealand singer-songwriter TEEKS, who released “My Boy,” a soulful tribute to the innate beauty of queerness and sexuality. With soaring guitar work and warm vocals, the track celebrates the tension and joy inherent in pursuing burgeoning love, perfectly timed for Pride Month.

    Credit: Billboard