Steve Lacy Returns With "Nice Shoes" Ahead of 'Oh Nice' Album

The hiatus is over! Beloved alt-R&B singer-songwriter Steve Lacy has returned with his first song in three years, "Nice Shoes." The single, a flirty and energetic effort, was written and produced by Lacy himself and is a thrilling preview of his highly anticipated third album, Oh Yeah, which is currently in the works.

The single opens with a thumping breakbeat, buzzing synths, and is driven by a vocal sample of James Brown from Lyn Collins' "Think (About It), creating a unique atmospheric texture that is unmistakably Lacy. He croons the bemusing hook, setting the tone for the rest of the song, "If I, if I had a dollar for the friends I would fuck / I could buy a pair of really nice shoes / Life is but a stain, it's not a tattoo / Temporary pain, it's lame to chase youth." Over the hypnotic beat, Lacy pleads to the ether, "make it stop," trying to tame his lustful thoughts and musing over his inability to fall in love, ultimately warning listeners to be careful on how they spend their time, because "it adds up."

The track's high energy is consistent for most of its runtime, keeping the listener entranced with its bouncy rhythms and unfiltered lyrics. Suddenly, the production slows down and melts into a silky, soulful section. The simple breakdown features just vocal, guitar, and a simple beat, before a gospel choir rises to support the alternative star's vocal. Then, Lacy cranks the energy right back up for a feverish finish, rebuilding the energy into a clubby, 90s-inspired epic.

The single follows the success of his 2022 sophomore record Gemini Rights, which included his No. 1 smash hit "Bad Habit." The album also scored Lacy's first Grammy award for 'Best Progressive R&B Album' at the 2023 award ceremony.

Listen to "Nice Shoes" below: