There’s a rare beauty in moving slowly, in letting emotions unfold organically. Eddie Chacon, the soulful architect of introspective R&B, understands this better than most. His latest album, “Lay Low”, produced by Nick Hakim, is a masterclass in subtlety—an ethereal blend of soft synths, skeletal grooves, and whispering melodies that evoke both nostalgia and quiet transformation. As he embarks on his European tour, with two stops in Germany (Berlin on March 20 and Cologne on March 21), Chacon invites audiences into the intimate world of his music cosmos. In this interview, we explore the making of “Lay Low”, the role of live performance in his artistry, and how music continues to shape his journey.
Eddie, Lay Low feels incredibly intimate and atmospheric. What was your vision for this album when you started working on it?
My vision was to make a record that documented my journey through grief. I lost my mother a few years ago, and it took a few years for me to be ready to incorporate it into my work.
You worked with Nick Hakim as a producer on this record. How did his approach shape the sound and emotional depth of the album?
Nicks sound is melancholic and has a lot of emotion in it. I knew that it would be the perfect fit for what I wanted this record to be about.
Many of the songs, like “Good Sun” and “Empire,” touch on grief and acceptance. How does songwriting help you process personal experiences?
Songwriting is indeed cathartic. I think often times I’m writing about things that I’m personally working through. I don’t always realize it until a song is finished.
There’s a minimalist beauty to Lay Low, where every note and lyric feels intentional. How do you approach restraint in your music?
I think as we get older, we do get a better understanding of what’s important, what really matters and I think pairing things down is a part of that. At age 61 I am a minimalist in all areas of my life.
“End of the World” and “Let the Devil In” touch on existential themes. How do you see your music reflecting the times we’re living in?
“End of the World” was actually written about a certain part of the grieving process. There’s a point where it’s difficult for you to see your life without this person in it. “Let the Devil In”, was a zoomed out look at life as it is today. There is so much beauty in the world and technology is a big part of that, but I sometimes ask myself, at what cost?
The closing track, “If I Ever Let You Go,” feels like a whispered confession. What emotions or themes were you channeling when you wrote it?
It’s a song about closing a chapter on a relationship. It’s melancholic and speaks of the residue that love leaves in your heart.
Your career has taken several turns—from Charles & Eddie to stepping away from music and then returning with a new creative vision. How do you see your evolution as an artist?
I believe our lives want to go a certain way. I think it’s important that we get out of our own way in order for what’s inside us to make its way out. This is how I’ve guided my career from the time I was a child. I never thought it was good to be ambitious or clever. I thought it was better and more effective to be relaxed. I feel in a relaxed state there is clarity.
The music industry is often fast-paced and under a lot of pressure, but your work is characterised by a kind of timelessness. How do you maintain your artistic integrity in today’s world?
The world is noisy today. The most important thing to me is that I filter that noise out so that I can hear the sound of my own voice.
Live performances add another dimension to recorded music. How do you translate the introspective nature of Lay Low onto the stage?
I have been performing live for nearly my whole life. Good melodies, good lyrics and a good story to tell can be done in many different ways and will always translate. I guess I’m saying that a good live performance starts with a good song.
You’re performing in Berlin and Cologne on this tour. What excites you most about playing for your German audience?
I lived in Berlin for a year in 2010 so I have great affection for Germany. It was an important year of growth in my life. So many good memories and friends.
If someone is coming to an Eddie Chacon show for the first time, what do you hope they take away from the experience?
Joy. Pure joy!
After this tour, what’s next for you? Do you already have new music in mind, or are you taking time to let things unfold naturally?
I’m not ready to talk about it now, but I have already completed a new album that most likely won’t come out until early 2026. All I can say is that it is the next chapter for me and I’m very proud of it.
Eddie, thank you very much for the interview.
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