‘Tuned In’ review: Far East Movement coasts on ‘Dirty Bass’

Far East Movement

"Dirty Bass" by Far East Movement

Far East Movement is moving the wrong way if it’s looking for longevity.

The Asian-American group from Los Angeles hypnotized us in 2010 with the pulsing/echoing No. 1 hit “Like a G6” (and stirred quite a bit of debate over what a G6 is — it’s a jet). Although Far East Movement has posted other hits, including “Rocketeer” and “Girls on the Dance Floor,” none have been as memorable as “G6.” And nothing on the act’s new “Dirty Bass” is, either, which could put Far East Movement on the path to being remembered as a one-hit wonder.

If the band of Kev Nish, Prohgress, J-Splif and DJ Virman are only concerned about today, then “Dirty Bass” gets the job done. The quartet’s electronic-rap-dance music is invigorating, a muscled-up collection of bone-rattling bass and aural throbs that won’t be ignored.

At least half the tracks have devices that could slide them seamlessly into a club mix, from the whirling sirens of “Turn Up the Love” to the propulsive boomerang of “Candy” to the banging vibrancy of “If I Die Tomorrow.” But the standouts are the percolating near-ballad “Flossy” featuring My Name Is Kay and the title track, which plays out like a sensual, flexi-grooving videogame and features guest vocals by Tyga.

Elsewhere, however, “Dirty Bass” is hampered by guest performers as Far East Movement diverts arrangements to accommodate pedestrian contributions from Cassie (“Fly With U”), Justin Bieber (“Live My Life”) and Sidney Samson & Flo Rida (“Change Your Life”).

And in general the release has that stitched-together feel of other contemporary pop-electronic releases that attempt to pander to too many audiences at once, layering inventiveness with overused formula.

Far East Movement still has the basics down, and the instrumentation is usually stirring. But there’s no “G6” magic this time around.

Rating: 3 stars (out of five)

© 2012, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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