The Stereo MCs aren't exactly workaholics, so it is quite a surprise to find their new album coming only four years after Deep Down And Dirty, particularly considering it took when a whopping seven years to release that follow-up to smash hit Connected. When it finally emerged in 2001, the mix of overwhelming expectation and forgetful apathy found them rather unfairly slated, so how will the public react to Paradise?

One thing for certain is that their days of chart success with Connected are well behind them, as the people who buy chart music don't like having to wait very long for it, but it's safe to assume the Stereo MCs couldn't give a toss.

Released on their own Graffiti Recordings, Paradise has a very un-utopian front cover, suggesting that the title may be slightly ironic. Opening track Warhead, which was released as a limited edition 12" to much acclaim in May, certainly lives up to that rather pessimistic world view, with a dark and sludgey sound that wouldn't be out of place on a Massive Attack album.

The lyrics aren't much cheerier, with Rob Birch talking about: "Vigilantes and the Stars and Stripes, crack pipes burning in the morning light." Nice... However, the MCs haven't gone completely depressing, so don't worry, this is still a great summer album. Set It Off sounds like classic white UK hip-hop with a funky bouncy rhythm, while First Love even uses Kanye West-style chipmunk vocals!

Rob B duets with his speeded-up twin over yet another funky summery tune with some nice guitar licks and a very blissed-out feel. Sun and The Fear both benefit from strong female vocals, with Stephanie McKay dominating the latter with a soulful vigour. Rob is back in charge on Don't Know and the ultra-funky Float On, which are both textbook Stereo MCs.

While that does of course mean that it is a hugely enjoyable album for anyone who has stuck with them since the early days, it does also indicate that these two childhood chums haven't really progressed much musically in the last 13 years since Connected. However, that never hurt AC/DC or The Ramones, so who cares?