Audiopile Review: ‘90s pop survivor Eddie Chacon further mines the psychedelic soul of his previous two albums, 2023’s Sundown and his surprise return and debut proper, 2020’s Pleasure, Joy and Happiness. This time around, Chacon links up with Nick Hakim on production duties, who, outside of his own indie-R&B solo work, has been working behind the scenes on albums for shop faves like Pink Siifu, Lil’ Yachty, Nilüfer Yanya, and Slauson Malone, among so many others. Hakim mods the previous spacey-lounge vibes of John Carroll Kirby’s production on Sundown, enveloping the album in a shroud of atmospheric soul minimalism that blooms with Chacon’s raw, world-weary vocals. Chacon unmistakably nods to the early ‘70s intimate, stripped-down soul à la Marvin Gaye, Curtis Mayfield and Donny Hathaway, with Hakim bringing an ethereal hand to the album through a set of smeary keys, reverb-soaked guitar and fuzzy drum machines. It all becomes difficult to pinpoint in time and space, but Chacon’s themes of heartbreak and loss cut right through the cozy confines of the album. An early highlight and huge recommendation in the early days of ’25.

“Low-key R&B legend” Eddie Chacon returns with Lay Low, out January 31st. Having collaborated with John Carroll Kirby on his last two albums, Eddie Chacon teamed up with Nick Hakim to produce this new collection of songs of loving and letting go.