Apollo XXI is the solo debut studio album by American musician Steve Lacy. It was released on May 24, 2019 by 3qtr, under license to AWOL Recordings America. It was preceded by the singles "N Side", "Playground", and "Hate CD". The album would later be nominated for Best Urban Contemporary Album at the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards, Lacy's first Grammy nomination as a solo artist.
Background
Steve started working on the album in 2017, recording in his younger sister's bedroom after she left for college, in between sessions he had with other artists, as well as touring with his band, The Internet. He also stated that he recorded much of the album using other methods than an iPod or iPhone. The song, "Like Me", was written and recorded in July of 2017, after a period in which Steve said he hadn't written any music because of the emotions and fears he had expressing his sexuality. The song features Daisy Hamel-Buffawho says they connected talking about their sexuality together in 2017 and Steve came back later to ask that she sing on the track.
Singles and promotion
On April 8, 2019, Lacy released the lead single from Apollo XXI, "N Side". The song was released after The Internet announced that two solo albums from unnamed band members had been completed. On May 16, he announced the title and revealed the cover art of the album. On May 21, he released the second single titled "Playground". and revealed the track list of the album. A final single, "Hate CD", was released hours before the album debuted.
Critical reception
Apollo XXI received critical acclaim from reviewers. Donna-Claire Chesman of DJ Booth states, "... Steve Lacy, in all his funk and R&B glory, is here to satisfy—and satisfy he does. Lacy's astral cool vocals are splashed against a bevy of tugging instrumentals; you're pulled into his orbit, at first struggling to hear him, and then, struggling to imagine ever not hearing his themes... Apollo XXI is a fabulous clinic in mood." Natty Kasambala for NME felt that " balances wistful musical throwbacks with authentic lyricism and attitude... From the get-go, delivers exactly what it promises with its stylish, nostalgic artwork: a distinct world filled with hazy strings, warped synths and vocals that range from a flawless '70s-style falsetto to laid-back speech. It's retro-inspired through a modern lens." Salvatore Maicki of The Fader wrote, "Apollo XXI isn't just his debut album — it's his first definitive statement. Loosely tied together as an intergalactic mission, the album moves with the viscosity of a lava lamp... it's an impressively cohesive introduction to an artist coming into his own." Ben Beaumont-Thomas, of The Guardian, compared certain songs to the likes of Prince, D'Angelo, Maxwell, and Sly and the Family Stone. Nathan Smith of Pitchfork stated, "The singer and guitarist's debut solo album offers an introspective blend of R&B, hip-hop, & lo-fi pop but feels reluctant to claim the spotlight... For an album whose highlight is a song about the urge to extend beyond the limits of your own experience and find solace in collective acceptance, it all feels surprisingly timid. Apollo XXI is centered on the interior self, but it's not self-centered". August Brown of the Los Angeles Times wrote, "With Apollo XXI, Lacy's finally come into his own as a solo artist, one straddling R&B, indie rock and his own idiosyncrasies. has a relaxed, lived-in skillfulness that shows the handiwork of a veteran player... it's quintessentially L.A. in its mix of retro funk, twitchy beat music and even occasional canyon-rock vibes."
Track listing
All songs written and produced by Lacy, unless otherwise noted. ;Note
