I’m going to make a bold statement. Justin Timberlake’s album “The 20/20 Experience” could be the best album of 2013. The pop-soul prince has returned. It has been seven years since “FutureSex/LoveSounds” was released and now JT has burst onto the scene with his new album. This record packs a punch that is sure to change the face of the musical game.
Timberlake makes pop commendable again
The album’s first single, “Suit and Tie,” released Jan. 14, has already become a fan favorite. The track features a red-hot horn section, a soulful vocal and a funky bass line that would make even the strictest Baptist preacher “break it down and get funky wit it.” The single also features a verse by rap mogul Jay Z. Suffice it to say, the single was a fantastic sample of what is to come.
On March 11, a week before its announced release date, JT decided to stream the album for free. This decision has gilded the countless number of ears that have been exposed to the magic that is “The 20/20 Experience.”
In an unexplainable climate made up of over-produced and predictable pop “music” and — by some unexplainable plague of misfortune — an array of acoustic-folk music, the experience of listening to the radio is similar to that of walking through an abandoned mine field. This album by Timberlake is absolutely stunning and is a breath of fresh air in this perpetual haze of cheap pop.
Soul and funk prevalent here
The music breaks free of the typical and annoying style of music that has been played on the radio for the last five years. It is a return to “good music.” However, this album is definitely not as pop as his older material. Timberlake makes a return to a style that is passionate, intoxicatingly groovy, and truly tasteful. The album is definitely a return to classic R&B, as well as an innovative, envelope-pushing sound for today’s generation of music listeners.
This record has quite a few surprises for the listener and is not short on unique sounds or interesting choices. Some of his younger fans might not get it, but for a soul/R&B junkie with an affinity for music that “breaks it down and gets silly,” I have a “perma-stank face” on. I am beyond pleased and I will be bumping this album for a solid six months. This album is some hot fire.
As soon as your mouse hits the play arrow on the “listen now” bar, your ears are filled with the sounds of a shimmering orchestra and you take a sonic shot of soul/funk gold. The first song on the album, “Pusher Love Girl,” will most likely be a fan favorite. It is definitely one of mine. This track, featuring tight harmonies in the background vocal, a screaming gospel organ, a classic Jackson 5-esque bass line and a vocal that keeps Timberlake way up in his falsetto range, is a prime example of the album’s return to the classic stylings of R&B.
Lyrics are poignant and original
The third song on the album, “Don’t Hold the Wall,” is an exceptional demonstration of the album’s unique sonic choices. This track features everything from tribal beats and jungle sounds to sitars and traditional Indian/Arabic chanting. It’s like Rain Forest Cafe for your ears. “Don’t Hold the Wall” is an exotic track that will be enjoyed by listeners everywhere, though the track is definitely a bold move from Mr. Timberlake.
The lyrical content of this album is what one would expect from Justin Timberlake. Most of the tracks are love songs. The album has a definite sensual charge to it, as is typical of JT and also of this style of music. His lyrics are absolutely unique and I have not heard anything like them before. To me, that is the sign of a true artist.
I am admittedly biased to the genre of music, yet I predict that the majority of this album will be enjoyed and raved about by almost everyone.
