Lazy Habits – Lazy Habits

Lazy Habits are one of those bands that don't need radio play, press coverage or internet hype to build their career – which isn't to say that their summery, super-tight funk/jazz/hip-hop blend wouldn't brighten up our airwaves, or that the band have nothing to say to journalists – far from it, with MC Lazy's intelligent, politicised bars displaying a restless and socially-conscious awareness.

Rather, they are the kind of band who are just so damn good live that they're likely to be able to trade on their skills and reputation as a band, while hip-hop goes in and out of fashion. They nod to big band jazz, soul and bop while Lazy spits classic UK hip-hop patterns dripping with clever rhymes. The album is well-recorded and engineered, losing none of the live band's immediacy. Yes, the musicianship on display means Lazy Habits are a custom fit for the cardigan-wearing, Guardian-reading hip-hop fan. But lyrically, they're edgy and relevant. A strong debut. [Bram E. Gieben]