Elephunk

With Justin Timberlake guesting on Elephunk’s lead single ‘Where Is The Love’, interest in the third album from LA’s positivity merchants The Black Eyed Peas is high.

The infectious single also serves as a perfect illustration of the Black Eyed sound. First-rate rapping is not the focal point, instead you’ll be seduced by boundary-pushing productions along the lines of Common, strong songs utilising live instruments and samples, all deep-rooted in hip-hop but embracing other styles and transcending a simple genre classification, thanks in no small part to the intriguing vocal harmonies and tight arrangements.

The interplay on the obvious future smash hit ‘Shut Up’ between new female member Fergie (shining Mariah style) and Taboo (“Stop the talking baby, or I start walking baby”) is a further case in point. Such clever wordplay and impertinent rhymes for the most part avoid all the obvious bragging clichés, and musically Elephunk is just as adventurous, steeped in good-time vibes that recall the Native Tongues crews or Digital Underground.

‘Labor Day’ gels funky licks and soaring summer-time vocals in a hip-hop and r’n’b mash-up, ‘Hey Mama’ is a high-paced two-stepper with Tippa Irie adding his tuppence worth, while bold and brassy opener ‘Hands Up’ marries metallic slide guitar and quickfire toasting. ‘Latin Girls’ and ‘Let’s Get Retarded’ show their light-hearted side, while on ‘Anxiety’, Papa Roach join in to prove the Black Eyeds can rock out and get serious too.

Will.i.am’s production is as faultless as his rhyming, and while his ultra-slick approach occasionally smacks of being a little too radio-friendly, you can’t fault the guy’s willingness to try out new ideas and play around with a variety of styles, and on the whole it works and works well. Beats Get Rich Or Die Trying any day of the week.