Album: Apollo XXI

Overview
Apollo XXI, launched on May 24, 2019, is the debut solo studio album by Steve Lacy, a member of the Grammy-nominated band The Internet. The 21-year-old guitarist, singer, and songwriter, who has formerly worked with artists such as Kendrick Lamar, J Cole, Solange, and Mac Miller, blends numerous aspects of R&B, Jazz, Rock, and Funk in his work, making the album a hypnotic mix of different musical designs. The album, which features 12 tracks and runs for roughly 40 minutes, showcases Lacy's amazing musical skill and his journey of self-discovery.

Background and Production
Steve Lacy started working on Apollo XXI while on the roadway with The Internet. Using his iPhone and a portable recording studio, Lacy made up much of the album himself, establishing his track record as a true artist who pressed the borders between his work as part of a group and his solo profession. Production-wise, Lacy intended to produce an electronic and futuristic atmosphere, while still maintaining a sensible ambiance that listeners could associate with.

Styles and Lyrics
Thematically, Apollo XXI is a coming-of-age story that embraces styles such as love, heartbreak, and sexual expedition. The album also illustrates Lacy's journey of self-discovery as he came out as bisexual in 2017 and reflects on his identity through his music. The lyrics in the album are intimate, truthful, and raw, offering listeners an inside look into Lacy's personal life and experiences.

Songs such as "Like Me", a nine-minute-long opus, act as a confessional for Lacy. In this song, he questions the stereotypical expectations of masculinity and femininity and how they use to him as a queer person of color. Similarly, in "Hate CD", Lacy reviews his past relationships and addresses the psychological toll it has actually taken on him.

Sound and Style
Sonically, Apollo XXI is a testimony to Lacy's ability to try out various noises and genres. He flawlessly mixes components of R&B, Jazz, Rock, and Funk throughout the album and weaves them together into a cohesive sound.

Some standout tracks include the album's opener "Only If", which includes dreamy, atmospheric guitars and synths, along with Lacy's hypnotic falsetto. "Playground", a funk-infused track, showcases Lacy's flawless guitar abilities as he belts out infectious riffs and melodies. On the other hand, the heavenly important interlude "In Lust We Trust" highlights the depth of Lacy's musical scheme.

Reception and Impact
Apollo XXI got generally favorable evaluations from critics upon its release. Praise was directed at Lacy's songwriting capabilities, musical versatility, and his sincere portrayal of his personal experiences throughout the album. Some critics, nevertheless, believed that specific tracks felt unfinished and lacked the depth found in some of the album's more powerful moments.

In spite of its defects, Apollo XXI acts as an essential milestone in Steve Lacy's profession, as it showcases not just his development as an artist however likewise his bravery in accepting his identity and sharing it with the world through his music. The album positions Lacy as a leading figure in music's new generation, guaranteeing that fans are eagerly expecting his future work.