Identity by Far East Movement: Album Review
In October of 2016, Far East Movement released their album Identity, which debuted at No. 7 on Billbaord’s Top Dance/Electronic Album charts.
The four-member electro-hip hop group is known for their hit songs ‘Like A G6’ (2010), and ‘Live My Life’ (2012), which are highly energetic dance anthems with their addictive polysynth chords and heavy bass drops. They have since taken a dramatic turn by creating an album that represents their Asian-American backgrounds with their American influences. This “identity” is not only theirs but also that of their Asian-American and Asian-Australian fans.
The songs are not hard hitting like their previous hits as they consist slower tempos and smooth electronic accompaniment. The song order demonstrates the steady journey of an Asian-born American’s life with the heavily infused Korean lyrics and singers in typically American pop songs. It is a brilliant mix of American and Korean music as it is rich with collaborations of music producers, rappers and singers from both America and South Korea.
The songs ‘Fighter’ and ‘Umbrella’ capture the concept of the whole album with their light escalating melodies and the soulful voices of K-hip hop artist Yoonmirae and Hyorin from the K-Pop girl group SISTAR.
Their more upbeat tracks represent how hip hop and old 90’s electronic music has influenced them as artists. Their songs ‘Freal Luv’ (featuring Tinashe and Chanyeol from EXO) and ‘Don’t Speak’ (featuring Tiffany from Girl’s Generation) have little sound layering with superficial love song lyrics, which are very typical 90’s pop.
Far East Movement also highlights their appreciation for African-American culture in ‘SXWME’ with references to Notorious B.I.G and blatant sexual lyrics, and ‘Forever Survivor’ featuring the soulful raspy voice of R’n’B singer, Macy Gray.
Identity detaches Far East Movement from their typical electro-pop style in a good way, their new sound has become more mellowed. This album is a great way to ease listeners from the usual American electro-pop into the to the world of Korean hip hop and pop.
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