Sexy and Fun R & B

The UK’s mix board phenom, Taio Cruz, is set to make overseas magic with his single, “Hangover,” featuring Flo Rida, released this month.

A trance-like bass coupled with a wavy synthesizer is sure to be heard pouring out of every VW Bug from the California coast to London. The track almost elicits visual hallucinations of suburban blondes swinging the arms and spilling red cups.

The acoustic guitar tracked over the introduction and chorus gives “Hangover” a distinctly west coast sound. Flo Rida injects a quick rap verse into the dance pop track for a little variation from Cruz’s R&B flavor. A bass guitar successfully inherits the melody throughout Flo Rida’s verse, which breathes new life into the track.

“Hangover” is a fun, easy to listen, unless the listener is a parent in a mini van with a car full of impressionable teens on their way to soccer practice. Cruz sings, “I can drink until I throw up (eh) / and I don’t ever wanna grow up (eh) / I wanna keep it going, keep keep it going,” which furthers the impression a sorority might instill on a freshmen coed.

Background singers lend the hypnotic “ooh’s” to the track, which listeners will have a hard time not singing along with. Cruz’s simplistic lyrics only reaffirm his genius for catchy hooks and verses that demand audience participation.

Producer Dr. Luke keeps the listener’s attention by consistently adding and subtracting elements from the track. At “Hangover’s” midpoint Dr. Luke gives a classic techno break down and reintroduction with stuttered synths and a rugged bass.

Dr. Luke is known for his work with acts like Pit Bull and Katy Perry. This isn’t his first go around with Cruz either. The two teamed up to co-produce Cruz’s knockout single, “Dynamite” off his “Rockstarr” album, which enjoyed 47 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 list. “Dynamite” was released by Island Def Jam and has become the most successful selling single in the labels history.

Cruz is a musical powerhouse, reputably known for a variety of skills. He’s an accomplished singer/songwriter, producer, and rapper, as well as the recipient of three Billboard awards this year alone. Cruz also ventured outside of music and started the “Rockstarr” clothing line, which was named after his 2009 album and the London based record label, Rockstarr Entertainment Division, which he also founded.