A couple weeks ago, Steve Lacy shared that his sophomore album is titled Gemini Rights along with releasing the project's lead single "Mercury." Lacy didn't specify when the album was coming, but he promised that it wasn't too far away. Now, we know that not too far away means July 15, which actually isn't too far away. Lacy also shared another single called "Bad Habit" today, which was worked on with Diana Gordon and Fousheé.
"Bad Habit" pushes that slick, yearning guitar sound of Lacy's earlier work to an unexpected level. "I wish I knew you wanted me," he repeats. The romantic mantra buzzes with regret, but the repetition acts like a time-manipulating spell—one more repetition and the clocks might turn back. Or maybe it's a mantra of acceptance: "It's OK, things happen for reasons that I think are sure."
Things take an unexpected turn toward the track's end. Lacy goes a cappella during the bridge and then slowly rebuilds the song back up with a short-circuiting drum beat and a swift piano accompaniment. "You can't surprise a gemini," he reveals at the end. Maybe not, but the twists and turns of "Bad Habits" are a pleasant surprise for the listener.
Listen to "Bad Habit" below.
