NME Reviews

Various Artists

Step Up To The Streets OST

Having seen the trailer, you might be wise to give this Cassie-starring love story with legwarmers a wide berth. Luckily though, there’s more to like about the film’s accompanying soundtrack. Newcomer Flo Rida has had a big hit Stateside with ‘Low’, and no wonder; lyrically lacking it might be, but musically it’s bursting with hard-knock 808 and teeth-chipping bass. T-Pain also takes it to the club on the fantastically frenzied ‘Church’, while the previously insipid Cherish get spiky on ‘Killa’. Among the great though, there is a lot of bad – Enrique Iglesias is bland R&B at best, while Cupid’s cheesy ‘369’ is far from lovable. Missy Elliott, meanwhile, makes a mixed return; the formulaic ‘Ching-A-Ling’ is uninspired, but the percussion-driven, Doug E Fresh-sampling ‘Shake Your Pom Pom’ is quite brilliant. A mixed bag, but just about more hot than not.

Hattie Collins

6 out of 10

Add your comment

NME Alerts

Get NME news delivered direct to your desktop. Find out more

Please sign in

Forgot your password?

Register with MyNME

Every Tuesday and Friday

  • Up-to-the-minute news stories
  • The best new music and free downloads
  • Video interviews, photo galleries, competitions and more
  • Album and track reviews for the week ahead
  • Essential gigs in your area