Lazy Habits Even Out 12"
They're one of the most entertaining live hip hop acts in the country. They command the respect of hardcore heads and jazz hands alike. Their name is known to most in the scene, and with more festival performances this year than you can shake a poi at, they are becoming quite literally household. Even your mum would like them. They are the Lazy Habits, and this is their new single, titled 'Even Out'.
For those out of the loop, the Habits habitually drop a fast and funky flavour led by live horns, deep funk bass and slamming live drums - for you youngsters, this is called a "band", you may be unfamiliar with these. Two MCs carry the vocals which, traditionally, have been purely rap. 'Even Out' takes a short break from the norm with the chorus not only sung, but harmonised. And very well I might add. The wonderfully catchy hook could easily have the young ladies in the front row on repeat for days, but its the lyrical journey that provides the real gem here.
Historically, the bulk of the rapping rested on the shoulders of Lazy Habits' main MC Lazy, with second rapper Skin Horse providing verses on most tunes of their discography. This time however, Lazy's harmony singing is put to the test (along with Colin the bassist, skill really knowing no bounds), and Skin Horse drops three phenomenally well-written and delivered verses. The story-based premise is 'The Real Story of Jack & Jill' (you know - the nursery rhyme, “not the version they spin to kids” according to Lazy), and that's as far as I think I should reveal except to say the story whilst poignant, retains an ever so cheekily dark sense of humour.
As for the rest of the band, (stay with me here kids - they DO have a DJ - Itchi, for one a fantastic scratch artist) the stabbing horn section of sax and trumpet lead the equally sharp bass across a quick-paced, bouncing and almost ska-like beat, and a lovely little 'stop, drop' mechanism that separates each phrase of the hook to keep your ears on your toes.
This is simply a perfect single. The sound represents everything that is Lazy Habits, its catchiness finds the wider appeal, and yet it still shows discernable growth from their earlier days into more complex structures and ideas, a notion reinforced by several of their latest tracks.
Go and buy the single, and then for the full effect go and see them live, I reckon you’ll get your money’s worth.
This is simply a perfect single.
- J~bright
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