[4] Lacy created most of the song-series on his iPhone, producing the guitar and bass arrangements and singing his vocals right into its built-in microphone.

[13] Steve Lacy's Demo received positive reviews from music critics.

Jonah Bromwich of Pitchfork said, "[Steve Lacy] sparkles with classic Southern California funk and soul... the music here is startlingly mature, full of dimension and depth, as if Lacy were accompanied by a full band rather than doing everything, right down to the mixing, by his lonesome.

"[15] Kareem Sheikh of DJ Booth said, "Demo's six tracks are cohesive in both their smooth, sultry sound and their theme of young love... [Demo] is fun, youthful and intimate, and is sure to convert any [The] Internet lover into a budding Steve Lacy fanboy.

"[16] Makeda Sandford of Saint Heron stated that, "[Steve Lacy's Demo] is an electrifying yet smooth thirteen minutes – a playful depiction of beachy funk, rock 'n roll-sprinkled soul.