Like Save the Last Dance,
Honey, and
Take the Lead before it, Step Up plays like a fun, lively time capsule of urban pop and rap singles that were made for dancing. Though the soundtrack is toploaded with the one-two-three punch of
Yung Joc's "'Bout It,"
Ciara and
Chamillionaire's "Get Up," and
Sean Paul and
Keyshia Cole's "(When You Gonna) Give It Up to Me," the entire set is pretty strong.
Kelis' "80's Joint," which lives up to its name thanks to its nimble bassline and squelchy synths,
Petey Pablo's "Show Me the Money," and
Clipse,
Re-Up Gang, and Roscoe P. Goldchain's "Ain't Cha" are some of the most energetic standouts, while
Chris Brown's wistful "Say Goodbye" and Drew Sidora and
Mario's duet "For the Love" get the film's romantic angle across without interrupting the flow of the more danceable tracks. Step Up just might be one of those soundtracks that's actually better than the movie that inspired it. ~ Heather Phares