A Review of Justin Timberlake's New Album (Or a Guess)

I really do like them so much. 

So I know on Facebook several days ago I said I'd review the album then a thousand times. I did not. Weekdays - I have no energy and my only time to write is the window before I go to work in the morning. Even this is getting increasingly harder. Perhaps I'm just getting old- I will be 25 in a month-ish. 

Let me reprimand that now, my loyal legion of Russian spambot friends. Merry St. Eastervas (p.s. "Zombie Jesus Day"  makes no sense, but we won't even start discussing that). 

"The 20/20 Experience" was the first Justin Timberlake album I was legitimately excited for. Really. I became a fan in 2007, although I always liked "Rock Your Body," weird music video and all.

It was the song "What Goes Around" that really enamored me with JT. I was really bitter and depressed at the time and I recall listening to the song on repeat while I walked around the Edinboro campus, coming up with reasons to not throw myself in Mallory Lake (note: I am not exaggerating.) I'm not completely sure what I was so bitter about, probably that I was at Edinboro. 

There was also the video that sealed the deal. In it, he makes out with ScarJo. I'm still jealous. See:

'

HOT.

Since then- and let's be honest, that album ("FutureSex/LoveSounds") was incredible - Justin has gone on to accomplish the following: 

- break up with Cameron Diaz
- marry Jessica Biel
- became a pretty solid actor
- became a SNL five-timer
- made out with Mila Kunis (god, if he ever makes out with Marion Cotillard, I will just cease existing. what, is, the, point!) 
- open a restaurant and dude he does like 30000+ things it's scary- I may have gotten the time wrong on that, but the point stands.

SO, let's get back to this album, JT's first musical foray in several years....like he was trying to pull a Fiona on us, ha. Did you know JT cites David Byrne as an inspiration? And not Brit-Brit? Interesting!

"Suit and Tie" and "Mirrors" are both extremely strong, well-produced, smooth singles. Understandably, if you've built up that kind of steam already, the anticipation for this release should be HUGE. And, it was. Is.

The album in its entirety, though? Mmmm...

underwhelming. 

Really. I listened with high hopes, but not until yesterday was I able to make it through the album and form an actual opinion.

I feel like he could have cut some songs and had a much better effort here. Because when he shines, he shines. And when he's dull, he's really dull. 

Still, it's Justin Timberlake. He's a very put-together guy and it's not a bad album at all. It's just like- the momentum he had going didn't continue. These things happen though. We're all human.

"Blue Ocean Floor," "Let the Groove Get In," and "Tunnel Vision" are the strongest non-singles. Sexy, experimental, well-done. "Blue Ocean Floor" is especially cool. Even "Don't Hold the Wall" deserves several listens (or a place on your sexual playlist either/or).

"Pusher Love Girl" is not bad, but to me it's just filler. Something weird to start an album with, too. Then there is that title, which is like, wha?

"Spaceship Coupe" is kind of lame, let's not mince words here.

"That Girl" is like Mayer Hawthorne-territory. I approve. A+ 

I still have no opinion on "Strawberry Gum." It's interesting, but there is that very deep voice. And I can't lie- it scares me, meep.

So, I mean. It could be a grower. Where it works, it works so well. You want to make it dinner and spoon with it, yeah. But other tracks will leave you flaccid. Overall though? I will take this over Bruno Mars anyday.

And again, it's Justin Timberlake. I doubt there's anything he could not do. Except make a convincing antifolk album.

This album has performed amazingly well, though. So JT is having the last laugh. 


(unlike Matt Lauer)

rating: 85/100