The new collaborative project from LUCY and Surf Gang is essential American music for 2024. Surf Gang are a New York-anchored crew, led by the producers Evilgiane, Harrison, and Eera, known for a spangly, always-evolving take on contemporary East Coast rap production. Their beats provide a bed for LUCY—a.k.a. Cooper B. Handy, a Cape Cod-bred, Western Mass-based artist whose music somehow conjures up visions of both Max B and Jonathan Richman—to sing about life and love from his singular perspective. It’s a powerful record, at once tied to the moment and stretching out into history. We sent over a few questions to Giane and Cooper over email—here’s what we got back. 

What was your first exposure to each others' music? 

LUCY: Not exactly sure when the first time was, definitely around 2018. Made a track on a beat from Harrison and then clicked with Giane’s music soon after. 

Evilgiane: I met Cooper a while ago, and I always liked it.  

This album took five years to make. What was that process like? 

LUCY: In between working on five or six other projects over those years I always found myself coming back to beats I had from Surf Gang. It was almost a way to clear my mind, because for most of my other projects, I’m producing the instrumentals. Whereas with the Surf Gang stuff I could kind of let loose with the voice as the instrument. 

Evilgiane: We just weren't around each other, but we stayed in contact from time to time.  

What is your favorite song on this project, and why?

LUCY: Probably “Hellhound.” I think that song touches something magical. It was made quickly but has layers that I like. 

Evilgiane: “Jack & The Beanstock.” Cooper’s vocals over Harrison’s instrumental was sick.

How do you feel about genre? Does that matter at all anymore? 

LUCY: Not really. I kind of forgot about the idea tbh lol. I’m a singer though, I wouldn’t call this rap music. 

Evilgiane: Idc about that.

Do you have a favorite Max B song?

LUCY: Idk that’s hard, it’s all kind of amazing, “Give Dem Hoes Up,” maybe. He’s a smart singer.

Evilgiane: "Bad Whiskey" or "I'm So Wavy."