The Wanted’s fearless bid for world domination

On the eve of their Philippine concert on Sept. 14 at the NBC Tent in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig, U.K. boy band The Wanted, has released an EP for local distribution featuring the hits and hot singles drawn from the group’s first two albums.

In 2010, the group, composed of Liam Payne, Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson and Zayn Malik, came out with their debut album “All Time Low.” The title track from that debut hit number 1 in the U.K. The follow-up album “Battleground” was released a year later containing another number 1 hit, “Glad you Came.”

So how does the self-titled sampler EP fare?

ACTIVE TUNES. It’s convenient to compare The Wanted with the last wave of 90s boy bands like Backstreet Boys, Take That! and ‘N Sync. But this EP shows the distinct differences.

“Glad You Came” starts the album on a minor key then charges into triumphant dub-step. The performance bids at an epic dance track displaying the fearless form of a young band going seriously for the Big Time.

“Chasing The Sun” is even better, a sing-along raver with infectious hooks and an insistent bassline that will have toes tapping at home and butts shaking in clubs, Straddling a slew of pop and dance micro-genres, it’s the most appealing ear candy in the entire collection.

“All-Time Low” is a minor epiphany shuttling between atmospheric Coldplay territory and euphoric disco. It’s also the group’s first attempt at a pop blockbuster that appeals to a mainstream audience, a curious triumph in an age of fragmented indie-inclined tastes. Hats off to the boys in the band.

“Lightning” and “Rocket” are more traditional R&B-flavored dance numbers that recall the best years of old school boy bands.

FLAT LINER. In a compilation of overwhelming dance-y tracks, “Heart Vacancy” is a bit of a slow moving violation, a love ballad with a sing-songy delivery. It does not climax to any pretty hook or even a lyrical clincher. Unless you look at it as a breather in between hot, hot numbers.

THE WRAP-UP. Despite being a hodge-podge of tracks from albums produced at different times, the EP focuses on the musical strengths of the group and provides the proper launching pad for some longed-for global domination.

Do they have the winning moves to back up their conquering tunes?

We’ll know for sure on Sept. 14 when the lads play the NBC Tent in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.

Tony Maghirang | Yahoo! Special Projects