The Audio Bullys expertly mix up house and garage, beats and basslines, music and words to make a sound that could only occur from within London’s metropolitan sprawl. Their 2003 album ‘Ego War’ introduced the duo and their sound - which was neither pure hip hop, nor uncut house or rudimentary garage, but all three - a uniquely young, British and energetic musical chemistry.
More profoundly articulate and insightful than the average vocalist, Simon Franks’ lyrics tells the important stories and aspects of life. It’s the combination of that eloquence, and the danger-zone frequencies in Tom Dinsdale’s programming that distinguish an Audio Bully’s track from the margarine-mass of standard dance production. They’re captivated by, and getting closer to, the ultimate audio X-factor.
They share an instinctive understanding of the dynamics of pop songwriting: the knack of locating the killer hooks, riffs, breakdowns and melody that have consistently lifted their tracks out of the DJ underground and into the stratosphere of radio play and chart presence. This summer’s undeniable hit and club anthem ‘Shot You Down’ being a case in point.
A lot has changed in the two years since ‘Ego War’, and it shows throughout ‘Generation’. The new album has developed into a broader palette of sound and emotion; tracks like the Suggs collaboration ‘This Road’ duly reveals a far more nuanced sense of musicianship. Subtlety is where ‘Generation’ is at. It makes you think of the red-hot immediacy of Daft Punk’s repertoire – an influence they’re happy to cite – or to the releases on Thomas Bangalter’s Roulé imprint, and the echo runs through Bullys productions like the choppy ‘Bring Light’ and Generation’s own title track.
Generation also comes with a further ambition, simultaneously modest and massive. On ‘Keep On Moving’, Simon raps, "we make a few tunes for mankind to play. Our ambition is to be the biggest, to be honest", says Tom. "I’ve come round to thinking that. I’ve seen how people react to this and I know there’s a magic to it. It was only a matter of time before everyone else saw it".
Listen to ‘Generation’, and you instantly get what Tom means. It is the score to the lives of Tom and Simon’s generation. It’s Audio Bullys world - we just go partying in it.
Protection - we do a lot of it these days. Sun cream for our skin, sunglasses for our eyes, condoms for you know where - but do you remember to protect your hearing?
Click to find all the information you need to look after your hearing now so you can enjoy music for years to come
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I'm In Love..with Audio Bullys
