![Sulu Babylon’s “Free” is Jolting and Raw [Rock]](https://soundcloudmusicreviews.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Sulu-Babylon-2-e1403223388238.jpg)
Before the millennium’s surge of two-man bands, we had this thing called a “power trio.” Beyond a few select acts, the power trio is hardly happening nowadays. England’s Sulu Babylon (made up of singer/vocalist Phil Killingsworth, bassist Corey Jones, and drummer Ryan Johnson) handles the power trio task of using minimal rock instrumentation to fill a track with life. They do this with boldness and little reservation in their new song “Free” from their most recent work, Color EP.
“Free” is jolting with raw and desperate energy from the very beginning. After the quickly strummed high guitar chords, ascending bass line, and cymbal-heavy beat, the stage is set perfectly for a frantic vocalist like Killingsworth. His approach has a throwback style, comparable to late 90’s emo rock singers. He’s audacious and effeminate, but never overindulging or obnoxious. The delicacy of his voice correlates well with the raw grit from the instrumentation. All in all, the sound is nostalgic for a specific era. It doesn’t chase emo rock’s peak popularity; it skims the genre’s classic roots of when it had more affiliations with post-hardcore than it did with pop punk.
Sulu Babylon pays tribute to the old roots well. Even though the style is now affiliated with high school and adolescent frustrations, “Free” is not a childish song. It somehow rides the old feel furiously without falling into its pit. All of the pieces in “Free” work together and achieve passionate power.
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Bio:
Sulu Babylon, formed in 2010, is a powerhouse indie rock trio from the East Yorkshire, featuring Phil Killingsworth on vocals and guitar, Ryan Johnson on drums and Corey Jones on bass. Hailing from the depth of England’s grey industrial port town of Goole, these three hold a stage with as much authority as five-piece. Sulu Babylon incorporate melody and passion into their music with the energy of three young men pouring their soul into every note and every beat. If there is a sound that is British, Sulu Babylon is a band that wears that on their sleeve. Sulu Babylon have ventured throughout the UK and over to Europe, spreading their sounds as far and wide as possible. Inspired by music and the trials and tribulations of modern life, the trio create music that is real to them, and hopefully others. Sulu Babylon have three singles out so far, with See It In Colour being the latest. It’s due to be released on 6th June, followed by more UK and European dates. They have two more EPs in the pipeline due to drop this year, and talks are underway for playing Japan early in 2015.
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