{"product_id":"eddie-chacon-lay-low","title":"Eddie Chacon - Lay Low","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHaving recorded two superb albums of understated contemporary soul with keyboardist and producer \u003c\/span\u003eJohn Carroll Kirby\u003cspan\u003e, Eddie Chacon changed direction by connecting with \u003c\/span\u003eNick Hakim\u003cspan\u003e for his third one. Going into the two-year making of \u003cem\u003eLay Low\u003c\/em\u003e, Chacon told his new collaborator -- who had previously remixed the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003ePleasure, Joy and Happiness\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e finale \"Above Below\" into percussive, dubbed-out funk -- that he was going for \"hazy and sensual\" with \"darkness, but there's light to be found if you search for it.\" In other words, as those familiar with \u003c\/span\u003eHakim\u003cspan\u003e's solo records and production work might hear it, \"Do you.\" It's no shock then that \u003c\/span\u003eHakim\u003cspan\u003e proves to be a compatible partner on \u003cem\u003eLay Low\u003c\/em\u003e. It's murkier and more psychedelic in relation to Chacon's preceding LPs while remaining grounded in leisurely paced, intensely contemplative R\u0026amp;B. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe singer was processing the death of his mother, and several songs regard a faltering relationship that isn't specified. There's one uptempo number. \"Empire\" is a low-slung disco-funk weeper with a touch of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eHere, My Dear\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e-era \u003c\/span\u003eMarvin Gaye\u003cspan\u003e (and \u003c\/span\u003eKirby\u003cspan\u003e on synthesizer), where Chacon sounds relieved to have found a right way to express long-simmering doubt. He seems to be eyeing a fresh start, and it's a reprieve from the grim prospects conveyed elsewhere. On \"Let the Devil In,\" he's practically overcome with grief, gently piercing when he confesses \"It's tearing me apart\" in falsetto. \"End of the World,\" one of a couple songs with washed-out Philly soul flourishes, is weary if comforting as Chacon expresses hopelessness. \"Good Sun\" sets the grieving tone as Chacon addresses his mother with \"I just miss you home,\" bereft in his head voice over drums that plod in a way that indicates stupefaction. Like \u003c\/span\u003eKirby\u003cspan\u003e, \u003c\/span\u003eHakim\u003cspan\u003e has a thing for vintage-sounding mechanical rhythms, and the spare and effective way they're utilized helps lend sonic continuity between Chacon's 2020 and 2023 albums. The key throughline, of course, is the sound of Chacon's voice -- an instrument that pacifies no matter the states of uncertainty and distress the purposeful lyrics indicate. — AllMusic\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003ciframe style=\"border: 0; width: 100%; height: 120px;\" src=\"https:\/\/bandcamp.com\/EmbeddedPlayer\/album=160929952\/size=large\/bgcol=ffffff\/linkcol=0687f5\/tracklist=false\/artwork=small\/transparent=true\/\" seamless=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e↓\u003cbr\u003eLabel: Stones Throw Records\u003cbr\u003eFormat: Vinyl, LP, Album, Stereo\u003cbr\u003eReleased: 2025\u003cbr\u003eGenre: Funk \/ Soul\u003cbr\u003eStyle: Contemporary R\u0026amp;B, Neo Soul\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFile under: Stones Throw Records\u003cbr\u003e⦿\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Stones Throw Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45088482492574,"sku":"659457249847","price":48.0,"currency_code":"SGD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0584\/5434\/3838\/files\/a1912512505_10.jpg?v=1739457886","url":"https:\/\/theanalogvault.mom\/products\/eddie-chacon-lay-low","provider":"The Analog Vault","version":"1.0","type":"link"}