R3HAB, AMBER, LUNA, XAVI & GI � "WAVE"

Track List:

1. Wave
2. Wave (Xavi&Gi Ver.)

R3hab, Amber, Luna � "Wave"
As part of their 'SM Station' project, SM Entertainment has teamed f(x) alums Amber and Luna with producer R3hab, and they're giving you the "Wave." R3hab, born Fadil El Ghoul, is a Dutch DJ and record producer of Moroccan descent.

The song starts innocuously enough, with keyboard stabs, until the chorus comes in with a sonic attack. I love the contrast of sounds here -- and the transitions are organic enough not to be annoying. R3hab seems to have some definite skill. This track got me pumped. The two vocalists also put in fine performances -- Luna's voice lifts me up while Amber pulls me back down to earth.

EDM duo Xavi&Gi get a shot at a remix, and lay their own beats down on the track too, to better effect, IMHO. The song has more going on and is far less subtle. The music somehow matches Luna's voice so much better, giving me more of an EDM buzz.

While some aren't into it, I love that EDM is making inroads into K-Pop. Bands like 4minute, Girls' Generation, and, yes, f(x) are embracing that trend. Frankly, I love it, because techno artists are constantly coming up with new sounds and interesting chords. And the trend managed to produce this hot new single, what's not to love?

MV REVIEW

Amber and Luna are reading comics in a department store. R3hab plugs in his headphones, and instantly his animated superhero avatar drops an animated Luna off to join a similarly tooned-up Amber outside the department store. Live-action Amber starts singing and tracers shoot from her hands. Everyone in the department store is compelled to dance, and the scene shifts between store and concert...

If it sounds like it doesn't make much sense, you're right. I like how Amber and Luna seem to be the prime movers of the video. True, it starts with R3hab's headphones, but it seems like he's the one caught up in this, just like the hapless shoppers. And as for being transported to the club, that's what happens every time I listen to one of my favorites.

What I was hoping for was more of that cool animation. Maybe having live action Luna and live-action Amber meet their cartoon counterparts, after their animated avatars get people dancing. But they didn't ask me. :) Still...

Score

OVERALL............8.7

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