Initially planned as a sequel to 2010’s Only One Flo, Part 1, muscle-bound MC Flo Rida decided that his latest salvo of power-pop infused hip hop would be better served as a stand-alone record. Lo, the nine track Wild Ones was born. Now, for the last few years, the 32-year-old has been the undisputed king of the modern day singles charts, so that a lot of the material on the rapper’s fourth full-length album has already been previously released (‘Whistle,’ ‘Wild Ones,’ ‘Let It Roll’ and ‘Good Feeling’). The result is that there aren’t a lot of surprises in store.
There’s not a lot of intellectual heft either. RAther, the LP is full of Auto-Tuned, four on the floor, sample-heavy club stompers, boasting lyrics as brainless as the entire cast of Geordie Shore and hooks as unimaginative as a put-down from Simon Cowell, that will nonetheless appeal to millions of perma-tanned college kids and self-appointed “party starters”. ‘Sweet Spot’ featuring Jenifer Lopez is a particularly ropey affair that showcases just how limited Jenny From The Block’s vocal range is and ‘Run’, featuring the heavily afro-ed Redfoo from LMFAO, is a timely reminder that borrowing a chorus from Bryan Adams is not a good idea.
While I have a soft part for the cheesy title track and the Etta James-sampling ‘Good Feeling,’ ultimately the disposable nature of the record is a turn-off.