Since the days of FutureSex/LoveSounds, we’ve all been waiting patiently and hoping that Justin Timberlake would take a break from acting and get back to the music. 
Now, almost 7 years later, the former *NSYNC member & Mouseketeer has finally released some ear candy.
I have to admit that all this “suit and tie” talk made me very curious about what JT had in store for his fans. Is he going to take us to the next level after FutureSex? Now that he’s married man, is he going to start making that grown and sexy music?
After his 10-piece big band performance at the Grammy Awards, JT and the Tennessee Kids give us a new compilation that shows the world what he’s been working on all this time and yes he has answered a few of my questions..
Starting from the top, JT smooths it out with his feel-good track, “Pusher Love Girl.” You hear a choir of strings singing over a chill bassline before the first verse starts. It’s safe to say that the highlight of this song is the infectious chorus. You repeatedly hear “Pusher love, Be my drug, Hook me up” in a pleasant harmony that makes you want to scream, “Yes, lawd!” And this is because the sound of the track strikes a chord with your spirit. The same can be said for the bridge as well. I don’t know if it’s the strings or the “churchy” organ or what. Either way this song earns a spot in the more favorable songs list.
As I waited for the next track to finally start, I had to remind myself about Justin’s signature reprises and/or two-part songs. After Justin gets all smooth for about 5 minutes, he then gets gritty and raps a couple bars for a good 3 minutes. I have to admit I got tired of listening to the entire song for more than 4 minutes, but continued listening because I didn’t want to miss anything hot or unexpected.
After his Jay-Z collaborated and Sly, Slick & Wicked’s “Sho’ Nuff” sampled single, “Suit & Tie,” JT hits us with an uptempo song for the clubs called “Don’t Hold the Wall.” In this track, music veteran Timbaland proceeds to make his presence more prominent. 
During the chorus you hear Timbaland echoing, “Don’t hold the wall” and adding other adlibs to his co-produced work of art.
“Strawberry Bubblegum,” however, brings the album’s focus back to the subject of love as he sings over the slightly electric pop song. This record makes you reminisce about the first time you saw that special someone or remember how you two were enamored by each other at the beginning of your relationship. It does make me wonder if there’s a link between the lyrics and his relationship with his wife, Jessica Biel. Either way, this song is pretty mellow, pleasant and the perfect feel-good record for the spring/summer. The harmony placements win me over and seem to be placed at all the right places of this song.
“Spaceship Coupe” and “Tunnel Vision” are also two jams made for the lovers in us all. But after that, I honestly grew bored, annoyed and confused by the rest of the compilation. Why? It felt like The 20/20 Experience was all over the place and JT was trying to compensate for all the time he’d been away, by cramming different styles of music in a 10-track album. I didn’t feel like there was a common or general theme (that I feel a lot of us were lead to believe). Most of all, from beginning to end, I waited for that big band sound to finally shine through and really bring the album to life. I thought The Tennessee Kids would be heard more, considering he adopted the whole classy “suit & tie” look.
In all honesty, this album sounded like a compilation of songs that didn’t make the cut on his last album FutureSex/LoveSounds. I really felt like I had been waiting for this great Christmas gift (for almost 7 years) and was given a pair of socks, a $25 gift card to Cracker & Barrel and a holiday card saying, ‘Happy Holidays!’ Come on, JT!
Maybe my expectations for The 20/20 Experience were too high. Maybe some of you might agree with me and maybe you won’t. Hopefully when JT finally drops the second part of this album later this year, he’ll use that opportunity to bring new music that has a more classic and timeless feel. I guess we’ll have to wait and see.
WTF! Are u early on the CL April Fools Joke?
I’m not an avid fan of JT, never heard FutureSexLoveSongs in it’s entirety (only the singles) and this album blew me away! This is the best, most cohesive album I have heard in years. I don’t even know what genre this is classified as because it’s such a smooth mix of soul, pop, old school and yet still very next level-ish. Every song had practically 2 versions of it that effortlessly blended together like it was an R Kelly remix. The only thing I could’ve did without was Timbo’s voice here and there.
Christine, girlll I don’t know WHO you are but u might wanna listen with the music turned ON next time. This album is everything!
You should listen to Future Sex Love Sounds. It’s miles better than 20/20. This album is still good in my opinion, but not as good as FSLS
I love this album! And, the fact that each song is clocking it at close to 7 or 8 minutes makes it that much more enjoyable. This is the best album of 2013 so far! Justin and Timbaland have excellent chemistry together. This is what I call “grown & sexy” music. None of that “sugary teeny-bopper” music. The stand outs to me are: “Pusher Love Girl” – has an Al Green vibe to it. I’m in love with “Strawberry Bubblegum” and “Tunnel Vision”. “Spaceship Coupe” – has a Prince vibe to it. And, “Let The Groove Get In” is straight up “Wanne Be Startin’ Somethin’” by Michael Jackson. You can tell that Justin has been doing his homework and has always looked to the legends for inspiration. It seems like some artists are trying to bring back true R&B music. He did a really good job on this one. :0)
I love love love this album. Every album he has is pure enjoyment!!! GOOD JOB JT!!!
JT does it again!! LOVE IT
I think cohesiveness in the album lies in Timbaland producing all the music. So even though JT tries different styles, the tone is consistent. The sound isn’t as booming as FS/LS but for him to try to duplicate that sound and success would be a fail. That was a lightning a bottle moment. The best thing for JT to do was to go in a complete different direction so not to pigeon holed. Great album…definitely takes a few listens to really appreciate the depth this album brings.
I know people have a right to their opinion but, Christina you simply need put this work of art in your ears some more. His music is very “grown and sexy” He has evolve well above FS/LS which is a amazing feat giving how beautiful that album is. This album is far from boring andthe “theme”clearly” is love which is what HE sings about in every song. There is so many hits on this album that every song needs to be release as a single. His album is like getting a shining new Bentley for Christmas far from anything cheap! That album in November will be I’m sure another pure work of art.
i know that usher is glad he finally after 20yrs in the game stepped up his singing skills…usher is really sounding good these days…no need to blame lack of budget, priority, etc. …..usher has better material and everything…..that would be awful if he was on the voice not being a true voice……i gues that appearance on the grammys with smoky robinson and others when they all blew him away finally shook him and got his attention…………..yep usher definitely stepped up his singing skills and focus……now he doesn’t have to worried about sounding like jt or vice-versa….jt can always blame it on being a double threat–the acting time, producing, or etc.
usher wouldn’t have anything to blame his lackluster progression on……go head usher sing and shine on!
Umm, lottie. I’ve seen the word usher 10x and JT once in your comment. iCant. LOL *sighs* smh
This album is good, sorry Christina but I don’t know what you were listening to.
rnbunleashed.com
I agree with this review 10000times, I like the songs u mentioned, BUT SUIT & TIE had me expecting way more than what he gave. IS IT GOOD? YES, worht having? YES, BUT the look is the same as last album, the music does sounds like rejects (not in a bad way) from FSLS tho, it just isnt MUCH different, he needed some Pharell love on htere IMO, they work sooo good together!
You people trying to say timbo’s voice was heard too much, this album sucks, or do song’s with pharell, just need to not post. You dumb asses have absolutely no sense of music or sound. Just f’ing ignorant asses!
I was really hoping more for this album after his performance on the Grammy’s. I liked 2-3 songs out of the 10 track plus 2 bonus (Target Only). Some albums do take time to grow on you though. I will wait and see; track 11 is pretty toot as well.
Meant ‘good’ too. Typing on a tablet with auto correct is annoying.
His is for the grown and sexy! It’s a shame people keep comparing this album to his last. He has really matured in life and you can tell that by 20/20 going down as a classic!!!
This is for the grown and sexy! It’s a shame people keep comparing this album to his last. He has really matured in life and you can tell that by 20/20 going down as a classic!!!
I fully agree with those that say this album is more than just hype, the blend is so brilliant and sonically, melodically, lyrically, on point, product is just amazing, never feel like JT is drowned out, I love the live strings… each song makes sense and the order of the song is just perfect, it fits like a glove. The production is so Timbaland but sooooo good, its one album so far that I can listen too from start to finish without skipping and these days that is very rare. It appears to me to JT has gone up a level, in his writing, his sound and style good on him for the progression now that is what I call an artist, JT is mset apart not doing what everyone is doing and working with someone who he trusts and knows that their system is right. for me its an easy 4.5/5 grown folk music
This is the most cohesive album I have heard in a long time. YES, the songs are long. YES, they all revolve around similar melodies. YES, it’s not as upbeat as FS/LS. But as its own work, this album is smooth, consistent, and enjoyable. Justin is above making “radio hits” and water down crap just to please the goldfish attention spans that the average young listener seems to have and I respect that. The mixing and arrangement alone pushes the album to 4 range. Easily.