No regional hip-hop scene has a more distinct sound than the Twin Cities. Thanks to the Rhymesayers clan, exalted lyrical and sonic precedents have been set, respected, and followed — and of all the limbs that branch off that family tree, young Minneapolis trio Lazlo Supreme could be poised to bear the sweetest fruit juice.
Should comparisons be made to Atmosphere in every review that Lazlo earn, it's not just because critics don't know better. (They don't.) The parallels between Slug and Supreme team MC Toussaint are infinite, from their cadence, hooks, and bridges to an uncanny optimistic pessimism. Serious rap nerds might also note the similarity between these guys and the St. Paul outfit Hieruspecs. Although it's just an EP to lubricate for their upcoming full-length, Evil Made Easy reveals how much damage Lazlo can do with a keyboard, drums, and one microphone.
The songwriting is phenomenal by hip-hop standards: "The Girl from the Coffee Shop" gets Bob Ross vivid, and "Featherlighter" highlights serious alt-anthem potential. Yes, there are endless awful organic-rap cliques rocking, but there are also several that deserve praise beyond comparisons to the Roots. Lazlo Supreme are at the head of that pack, and they ring as far from that particular Philly grime syndicate as aurally possible.
