Album Review: Eddie Chacon - 'Lay Low'
R&B icon Eddie Chacon continues his musical comeback with new laid-back album Lay Low.
Combining the best of lo-fi, R&B, and jazz with Chacon’s own soulful twist on things, he has pieced together an effortlessly smooth, emotionally charged collection of new music with Brooklyn-based producer Nick Hakim. Lay Low focuses on Chacon’s feelings of significant loss and grief while finding hope and light in the darkest of times. He expresses his feelings through plaintive pop lyricism yet also sets an optimistic tone with tracks like the opening number and also his collaboration with artist John Carroll Kirby.
Starting out with “Good Sun,” we enter Lay Low in this mellowed-out state with soft drums and gentle bells as if rejoicing sunlight in times of darkness. “Always searching for the good sun,” Chacon sings, voicing a quest for renewed faith and brighter days. Or, perhaps, an allegory to his last album, Sundown (2023). The environment procured by the sound textures brings to mind a scene of a rising sunrise.
The rawness and vulnerability of Chacon’s grief have been channelled into “Let You Go,” heard in the line, “Every single step I take/Reminds me of you” to the vocalisations in the background as the song fades away. There’s an undeniably beautiful ache in his voice, and the music only reflects his feelings in the key riffs and the distorted echoes at the end, for example. It’s quite reminiscent of his days as part of soul duo Charles & Eddie – longtime fans will be appreciative of this one.
On a lighter note, “Empire ft. John Carroll Kirby” is like taking a rejuvenated step forward on this journey of loss and hope. The jazzy horns and woodwinds add a classy smoothness and versatility to the track compared to the rest of the album. I keep thinking back to my time at Mirrors Festival in London in 2023 – seeing these two live was a real treat. Projects with Chacon’s longtime collaborator Kirby always turn out to be absolutely fantastic.
Diving into the R&B gem that is “Lay Low,” the title track, Chacon and Hakim turn things down a notch with this incredibly tender and intimate piece. The ‘lay low’ serves as a catchy earworm, something you’ll be singing on repeat hours after listening. It truly is a great song to lay low to, taking listeners into such a relaxed state.
With the album’s producer as guest artist, “Birds ft. Nick Hakim” is the most stripped-down, laid-back track so far. Warbling sound effects and tranquil piano chords reflect the vocals and strike a sense of ease in listeners as if being taken to another plane of existence ‘way up high’ with this ethereal composition. Subtle jazz influences filter in, creating a rather nonchalant atmosphere.
“Let the Devil In” exemplifies a profound despair in Chacon. With a discordant whirring effect and a processionary beat pushing the song forward, Chacon’s breathless vocals expand with an echoing reverb, singing, “We let the devil in/And it’s tearing us apart.” His despair is clearly heard in the quality of his voice, alongside the dramatic momentum of the instruments which only symbolise his sentiments.
“End of the World” is just an excellent song on all levels: the rhythm, the lead vocal hook, the guitar delay – all of it. This one is definitely my favourite. It’s one I find myself singing along to with such a catchy melody. Great tune to chill out to and full of juicy lo-fi sounds, too. He’s certainly got something for everyone in Lay Low with how he’s branched out into multiple genres across the eight tracks.
The last song on Lay Low, “If I Ever Let You Go,” sounds like an old memory on replay, perhaps signalling the deeper meaning behind the song. The intense delay and repetitive motions form a revolution of sorts and the slow-paced drums are just another wonderful addition to this phasing out of Lay Low. There’s something of Prince to this song, specifically in the vocals, and also Men I Trust.
All in all, Lay Low is a solace to return to when good times seem far away, when in a state of depression yourself, or when you just feel like kicking back and relaxing to the beat of Chacon’s rhythmic magic. This collection of soothing, moving music sees the Los Angeles-based artist’s return to music stretched out with his 2023 project Sundown as the point of origin. I really look forward to listening to his future works!
Words by Sydney Kaster
