Fans all over, no need to panic: sexy is back. Justin Timberlake released The 20/20 Experience on March 19, seven years after his last album FutureSex/LoveSounds. After only being out for one week, the album has sold almost one million copies, racking in a total of 968,000 copies. The album includes a total of 10 songs that linger on for more than seven minutes, some sounding like they could be split in two or even three new songs. The album has the elements of classic pop but with a new twist that has strong roots in the R&B world. The unspoken hero of the album is the innovative producer, Timbaland. Timbaland contributes greatly by creating tracks that change up the pop music game and add to the power of JT’s voice and the message of the songs.
Timberlake brings you back into his music world first with a classic pop infused Pusher Love Girl. The song oozes an R&B vibe as Timberlake serenades the listener about his “little pusher love girl” that brings him “on the ceiling baby.” This song reminds me of why I feel in love with Timberlake’s music in the first place, making it a favorite of the album.
Suit & Tie has already blown up all over radios across the nation, but the full album version is worth talking about. With the short radio version, the listener is left with a few gaps and misses the entire experience of the song. Frankly, the first 30 seconds that are cut are the best part of the song, complete with background vocals from Timbaland himself. This was the first song that was released from the album, and it terrified me. It is so different than the JT that I was used to. But admittedly, once I shed the stereotype Timberlake carries with him, I fell in love with the song. The vocals Timberlake expels are not the usually high-pitched serenades fans are used to, and it’s refreshing.
Don’t Hold the Wall is just plain sexy. If this is how JT planned to bring sexy back again, he did nothing but succeed. Timbaland’s production on this track is perfection, the lyrics and the sound fall into place just as they were meant to be. I can’t help but nod my head along with the bass.
Strawberry Bubblegum is by far the song that goes through the most twists and turns. The magic comes out in the sound mix that brings the relaxed tone. Just when you think that it’s over, what can only be called elevator music starts playing and brings the song to a new direction.
The next track, Tunnel Vision, is much more relaxed. The vocals express the same devoted and passionate love story and are backed up again by Timbaland. Most of the other tracks on this album go through phases due to their length, but this song holds the same tone for almost seven minutes. Due to the lack of development and meaningful lyrics, compared to its peers, the song is not on my list of favorites.
Spaceship Coupe brings listeners back to the voice fans all over know and love. It is the ooey-gooey love song that girls all over will melt into. The song travels through the stars with points of high acceleration and slow galaxies filling in all the mysteries of the universe (excuse the cheesy analogy- I had to).
The next track begins with an emcee introducing “JT and the Tennessee Kids” from Memphis at an underground music club. That Girl tells the classic Romeo and Juliet tale. A man from “the other side of the tracks” falls in love with “that girl.” This track falls strictly away from the pop realm and into the R&B world. I would say this song should be used as a background for a romantic movie scene, but this song should not be background to anything.
In a swift second the listener is transported to the salsa dancing world of Let the Groove Get In. With so many layers of voice and sound, it is too easy to lose yourself in JT’s voice and break out in dance. The mix does nothing but showcase the great mastermind work that Timbaland and Timberlake created together.
Mirrors might as well be an album all by itself. This is nothing short of classic JT. The layers of him singing and beat boxing brings the listener back seven years ago. It holds the quality that screams Timberlake similar to Rock Your Body and Cry Me a River. Being the second single to be released it will satisfy fans all around the world. Mirrors steals the show.
Blue Ocean Floor is a trance-like melody that sounds like a song being played backwards with Timberlake glazing over the sound. His vocals take center stage and no-doubt showcases his true talent. The eeriness brings beauty that makes this song unforgettable and heart wrenching.
Before you panic about awaiting the next musical step in Timberlake’s career, take a deep breath. He has already announced that The 20/20 Experience will have a sequel that is planned to release this November.
