Review Summary: Sup - first and only review
After spending half a decade focusing on his acting career—with roles in “The Social Network, “Bad Teacher” and more—Justin Timberlake is back on the popular music scene with his first full-length album in seven years.
Entitled “The 20/20 Experience,” this March release finds Timberlake once again with his trusted producer Timbaland. The beats maker was a vital part of Timberlake’s first two albums, “Justified” and “FutureSex/LoveSounds,” and with Timberlake’s newest product the collaboration is still intact.
The album is not a carbon copy of Timberlake’s earlier work, though. Timberlake doesn’t confine himself to the three to four minute structure of typical pop songs. The shortest song on “The 20/20 Experience” clocks in at just under five minutes, while most of the songs range from seven to eight minutes long.
Timberlake said this to the U.K. publication New Musical Express of the liberal length of the songs: “If Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin can do 10-minute songs and Queen can do 10-minute songs then why can’t we? We’ll figure out the radio edits later.”
The album begins on a grand note with the eight minute “Pusher Love Girl,” an unquestionable highlight. The slow-tempo jam—containing horns, orchestration, synth tones and more—relies on its simple, catchy beat and Timberlake’s unmistakable croon.
Lyrically, the song seems as if it is a joyous ode to Timberlake’s newly acquired bride, Jessica Biel. He compares his addiction to her to heroin, cocaine and other narcotics.
The album’s two singles thus far, “Suit & Tie” and “Mirrors” also don’t disappoint.
The former is a retro-sounding rhythm and blues hit, and was Timberlake’s reintroduction in the music world. Again, brass are at the forefront while Timberlake uses his signature falsetto to sing about love. Rapper Jay-Z makes an appearance around two-thirds of the way through the song. The two popular music icons gel together very well and are slated to begin a world tour this summer.
“Mirrors” breaks from the jubilance that much of the album exudes. The song is the lyrical highlight of the album, as it comes from a more personal and introspective side of Timberlake. As ever, his vocals are the musical emphasis. They flow wonderfully around the strings and synths of the track.
“The 20/20 Experience” sold 968,000 copies in its first week, and it is on its way to becoming Timberlake’s second number one album. It outsold “FutureSex/LoveSounds” by nearly 300,000 copies and is the only album this year to eclipse one million units in sales. It is also the fasting-selling record in the first week on iTunes in the media site’s history.
The album’s significance in the popular music world is hard to deny. Its musical styling is an ode to classic R&B artists like Prince and Stevie Wonder, while its sleek and solid production are a representation of what pop music can be in the year 2013.
Timberlake’s reemergence onto the pop scene is a gift, as one of the genres brightest star is once again sharing his talents.
“The 20/20 Experience” is at its weakest on the song “Don’t Hold the Wall.” Its dark production is in stark contrast to the rest of the album’s lively design. Its seven minutes prove rather bland, and it, perhaps, overstays its welcome.
“Strawberry Bubblegum,” “That Girl” and “Let the Groove Get In” all shine in the middle third of the album.
The delightful second half of “Bubblegum” repeats the refrain “If you’ll be my strawberry bubblegum, I’ll be your blueberry lollipop.”
The shortest song on the album, “That Girl” makes the most of its time and rivals “Pusher Love Girl” as the catchiest slow-jam on the record.
“Let the Groove Get In” is the resident dance number on the “Experience.” Its incessant beat urges you to get on your feet.
“The 20/20 Experience” was named after a friend told Timberlake that his new material was “music that you can see.”
The album is a venture in exuberant, often catchy pop, and it sees Timberlake once again utilizing his unique voice and skillful production to much avail.
Whether Timberlake continues to make music, focuses on his acting career or does a little of both is yet to be seen. But at 70 minutes, “The 20/20 Experience” has enough quality material to tide listeners over until JT decides to pick up the mic again.
