Artist: Billy
Title: Gemini
Genre(s): R&B
Length: 3:01
Writers: B.Holmes
Producer: Billy
Label: Five Pesky Kids
From The Album: Tarantula
Gemini is a song by British singer-songwriter Bilal Khan-Holmes, known mononymously as Billy, released as the second single from his upcoming debut studio album, "Tarantula". The song was released on August 5, 2020, with no prior warning to its official premiere. The track was originally announced alongside its artwork in May 2020 but no release date was given at the time. Holmes decided to delay its release to refine elements of the production while also recording new material for the album. "Gemini" follows on from his debut single, "Attention", which topped the charts and became one of the biggest-selling songs of the year. The single departs from the electro-pop of its predecessor, opting for a more subdued sound, rooting itself in R&B. "Gemini" is the first song released by Billy to be entirely written, produced and sung by himself.
Writing & ProductionLyrically, the song sees Billy reassuring his lover that despite his wild side and how others portray him, there is a softer, more "human" side and that nobody can offer quite like what Billy has. He uses his star sign of Gemini, as a way of describing the duality of his personality - showcasing that there is much more to him than what is written in the media. He also uses it to symbolise the highs and lows of love and life as well as an innuendo for being "versatile" in bed - his two sides being both "top" and "bottom".
Sonically, "Gemini" is a "slow jam" R&B track with very delicate and subtle electronic flavours underlying the smooth, throwback beats. Holmes cites "Janet Jackson deep cuts" as the inspiration behind the track, utilising soft vocals, subdued production, sensual lyrics and an overall very 1990's R&B soundscape. The only element similar to its uptempo predecessor, "Attention", is Billy's voice. While known for his belting vocals within Weekend, as a solo act, Billy has thus far shown much calmer, refined and deeply textured vocal deliveries. Holmes uses his lower register for the majority of the track, something which he has very rarely tapped into before. All backing vocals on "Gemini" are also that of Holmes, thus harmonising with himself and showing great creativity and versatility with his voice.
Background & ReleaseThe track was written in late 2019 during the roll-out of Weekend's third studio album, "Welcome to the Real World". Holmes had been planning on releasing a solo album for quite some time but had always put his plans off in order to focus on the band. After the February release of "Attention", "Gemini" was announced in May but no official release date was given and Holmes never discussed the track for several months. On August 5, 2020, after his exclusive ELLE Magazine interview was announced, Billy released "Gemini" with no warning.
Billy wrote:"Gemini just had to be the second single. I know it's not as commercial as "Attention" or anything I've been on, really. UK radio really don't fuck with R&B unless it's a horrid, bastardised version of it. I'm fully prepared for this to be my first ever release to miss the top 10 entirely but it's fine, I love the song and I believe it's still the right decision. It was the perfect choice in my opinion because it showcased the vibes of the album, alongside "Attention". They're both bookends - the catchy, big beat stuff and the slower, more old school vibes. They give the listeners tasters of the strongest flavours while also not being too much of shock. Both songs have a common thread - me. They're both about my persona but "Attention" was a cocky, caricature version, while "Gemini" is much softer - talking about real love, what I'm truly like."
"Artists like Janet, Aaliyah and Brandy are huge influences for me. I grew up on that stuff. I was lucky to live through such a raw, innovative and iconic time for the R&B genre. To me, that's the type of music that speaks to my soul. Before I made the decision to create this album, before even joining Weekend, I always said to myself that if I were to EVER create music, those are the artists I would aspire and pay homage to. There's something so beautiful and simple yet deeply emotive and intricate about a lot of R&B tracks from back in the day. For "Gemini", I wanted to play into that - simple in theory but stacked in execution. It started with a very basic loop on a piano, setting out the base for the melody. Each time I revisited the song, I'd add something new over that foundation, whether it was a light synth following the chords, a bass-booted version layered over it and turned down in the mix, whatever. Same with the vocals; different scales within the harmony, placing them over certain parts, isolating specific lines. So much work went into it but because every aspect of it is so chilled, it doesn't sound as if it's covered in bells and whistles. It's simple in its play through, which is just what I wanted."
Critical Reception"Gemini" received positive reviews upon release, with many critics praising Billy's vocals and decision to lean into the R&B genre. Muffy Levine from NME gave the track a glowing review.
"It's currently 2 for 2 as Billy delivers "Gemini", the sleek second cut from his upcoming album," he opined before continuing with;
"Billy is using his greatest instrument - his voice. He sounds like hot, sweet caramel, just drizzling all kinds of sugar over the sensual track while simultaneously warming the listeners up with his rich, lower register which is a much welcomed surprise." Paul Stein, writing for Exclaim!, also highlighted Holmes' vocal delivery, saying;
"Billy has often been regarded as one of the best vocalists in Weekend but "Gemini" solidifies the fact that it's not just his belting and R&B inspired tones against the rock/pop edge of the others that make him stand out. Billy has a throat designed by angels. His layered self-harmonising, rarely-showcases gravelly lower register and his impeccable emotive ways make for one big sonic hug." Clash editor John Murphy lauded the song, calling it
"outstanding". He then went on to praise the decision to service the track as a single, writing;
"Billy is doing everything right with his solo gig thus far. "Attention" was the perfect breakout moment; appealing to the radio, the pop heads, those looking for a new megastar and the lyrical content also appeased those on the internet who fawn over Billy's wild personality. "Gemini", however, tends to the needs of those who yearned for years to hear Billy on a straight up R&B joint. His voice has always lent itself well to the genre and he's made no bones about who his biggest inspirations are, even if it is the controversial Jackson family. Believe it or not, Billy is incredibly self aware and seems to have all bases covered."
"GEMINI"I don't go looking for trouble
That trouble comes looking for me
Didn't mean to burst any bubbles
But it's hard to keep it squeaky clean
I can bring it on the double
Pretty sure you know what I mean
Not picture perfect, not a refined edit
Too good to cut it, it's the full-blown explicit
Not conventional but I don't care what others do
'Cause nobody's gonna love you like I wanna love you
Back and forth, flip it, got so many sides
Yeah, you ever fucked around with a Gemini?
Too many problems and I can be the antidote
So versatile but some can't swallow it whole
Take the rough with the smooth
Take the gold with the blues
Take you to the warm paradise deep inside
More beneath the surface when you love a Gemini
This love hits different
This love hits differentThey say that "chaos" is my middle name
So infamous, I bet you already know
Yeah, I can tear it up like a hurricane
Know that this heart isn't made of stone
Love should be more pleasure than pain
Freaky if you want it, tender if you don't
Not picture perfect, not a refined edit
Too good to cut it, it's the full-blown explicit
Not conventional but I don't care what others do
'Cause nobody's gonna love you like I wanna love you
Back and forth, flip it, got so many sides
Yeah, you ever fucked around with a Gemini?
Too many problems and I can be the antidote
So versatile but some can't swallow it whole
Take the rough with the smooth
Take the gold with the blues
Take you to the warm paradise deep inside
More beneath the surface when you love a Gemini
This love hits different
This love hits differentNot everyone gets it
Not everyone can handle it
Not everyone can digest it
Not everyone understands it
Not everyone deserves it
Man, you fucking deserve this
Back and forth, flip it, got so many sides
Yeah, you ever fucked around with a Gemini?
Too many problems and I can be the antidote
So versatile but some can't swallow it whole
Take the rough with the smooth
Take the gold with the blues
Take you to the warm paradise deep inside
More beneath the surface when you love a Gemini
This love hits different
This love hits differentCan Be Compared To:
