Two Steps

Yazmin Lacey sets her boundaries deep in the sand on "Two Steps," keeping everything groove-driven, cool, and clear as day. She steps into the dance with her head high and without so much as a trace of self-doubt in the atmosphere. The beat lays out a clean, unbothered vibe, shaking off any extra weight as afro-funk flair and slick soul give it shape. But for every ounce of bounce that we get from the production, our star adds a heavy dose of sugar-laced shade in the lyrics. "You’re back in the deep end / I know you been sinking/ Bet you your tongues tied up" sets things in motion and rides that wave the whole way.

Lacey’s voice sits warm and smoky, slipping easily between conversational talk-sing and full-bodied melody. The way she punches certain lines, dips her voice for effect, then tosses off a high note with no fuss, it's not hard to tell that Yazmin knows how to put a pretty bow on a cut-and-dry goodbye. There’s a trace of playfulness around the edges, but the core is all grown-woman business. Acoustic guitars strum with a touch of Latin flavor at the top, making way for a thick, slightly grimy synth bass that dances in sync with some sweet, shuffle-step drumming. The pulse pushes forward without breaking a sweat; that afro-funk backbone giving the track its dancefloor spark.

It all comes together as one unbroken thread. Yazmin’s spicy-sweet voice, the tight lyrics, and the hip-shaking arrangement work together to eliminate hesitation and keep the energy flowing. Even in the softest asides of “Two Steps,” Yazmin stays in control. And for two minutes she makes it clear that her direction is forward only; everyone else can keep up or kick rocks.