After a long summer of "SexyBack" references -- how many times does someone need to announce that they're "bringing sexy back?" -- Justin Timberlake released FutureSex/LoveSounds, his sophomore album after a four-year hiatus.
Everyone has heard the album's first single "SexyBack" -- mainly just because they wanted to understand the hourly references to it. It's debatable if sexy ever left for some people, but Timberlake brings it back the best. The song's appeal lies in his boy-band-turned-gangster persona. He drops more than a few four-letter words amid lyrics like "Baby, I'm your slave / I'll let you whip me if I misbehave." "SexyBack" sets the mood for the rest of the album with its catchy Timbaland-produced beat, though it gets repetitive fast.
Timberlake's other songs have better staying power, but old fans might complain that his new album doesn't have enough of N*Sync's token pop sound. Featured stars include T.I., Three 6 Mafia and the Bill Wright Orchestra, among many others. Both Timbaland and Three 6 Mafia contribute most of the vocals to "Chop Me Up" so that Justin sounds like he's making a cameo in his own song.
Who would buy a CD to hear more tracks featuring Timbaland? When you turn on the radio it's hard to find a song he hasn't had his hands on. He produces 10 of the 12 songs from FutureSex/LoveSounds and is featured in almost as many. This album can feel more like his than Timberlake's. Justin's trademark falsetto isn't even brought out until the fourth track.
Yet, when it does make an appearance in "My Love," the album improves greatly. A light, fun piece with featured guests in the background (where they belong), Timberlake's voice finally manages to steal the spotlight. But when he shared the song at the MTV Video Awards, no one noticed as his dancing superseded his vocals.
Timberlake's next track, "Love Stoned," improves even on "My Love." It is the perfect combination of Justin and his posse -- plus, the creepy giggle that ruins the end of "My Love" is thankfully absent. Both Timbaland's catchy beats and Timberlake's vocal talents hold equal ground. The raunchiness is still there with lyrics: "Now dance / Little girl / You're freaky, but I like it / Hot d***!"
Timberlake delves back into his boy band roots with "What Goes Around." Yet, he makes it work as a more sophisticated version of his last album's "Cry Me A River." The new song leaves out the whining and more obvious references to his breakup with Britney Spears. Both songs still blame Britney, but "What Goes Around" elaborates on what happened next as Justin sings, "You cheated girl. ... Girl you got what you deserved."
Timberlake had better keep his opinions to himself, because his replacement, K-Fed, is going to hit it big any day with his own music career. Still, Timberlake could do a lot worse than FutureSex/LoveSounds and still best the competition.
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