Australian rapper Phrase is likely to make listeners check their ears after hearing his third album, Babylon. Whilst he has certainly hinted at other genres in his earlier work, Babylon features no samples, scratches, or any songs that can show off the sheer bass power of your new subwoofer. Instead, the Melbourne emcee rhymes furiously over a backdrop of percussion and catchy rock riffs on twelve eclectic tracks. It’s a sure sign that the 30-year old Phrase has moved miles beyond the scope set by his 2006 hit single ‘Hold On’. Phrase brings an arsenal of impressive guest artists to assist in this transformation. These include Guineafowl and Alex Burnett of Sparkadia, both of whom are likely to prove popular with the skinny-jeans demographic. You Am I guitarist Davey Lane lends his talents on the wonderfully infectious single ‘Apart’, whilst Jimmy Barnes’ trademark wail adds extra grunt to the thunderous ‘Velvet Glove’. ‘The Book’ is a humorous critique of the first-world problems stemming from social networking, and an irresistible pop hook makes the title track ‘Babylon’ an undeniable highlight. The vast array of instruments and sounds used by Phrase on this album is a respectable accomplishment. Although some may accuse Phrase of straying too far from the original elements of hip hop, others will praise him for his creativity and evident progression as an artist. Babylon refuses to be pigeonholed and needs to be approached with an open mind and open ears. It may be overly ambitious at times, but Babylon is an energetic and vibrant album that will serve well in the scorching Australian summer. Reviewed by: Chris Au