Justin Timberlake’s new album isn’t particularly sexy. In a record called FutureSex/LoveSounds, when your lead single proclaims that you are bringing sexy back and features songs like “Sexy Ladies” or “Love Stoned,” certain expectations are raised. Unfortunately, the album does not deliver on these expectations. The album’s sound is not as sensual as the titles suggest, and the lyrics are not as provocative as fans may have hoped. The title implies, well, future sex (whatever that is). Timberlake, however, firmly roots his vision of sex and seduction in the coarse bravado of nightclub hookups. It’s an act, and it’s not very convincing. He still sounds like a kid bragging to his schoolmates about dirty deeds he’s never done.
It doesn’t matter, though, because FutureSex/LoveSounds is an outstanding pop record. Timberlake could have played it safe but instead entered the experimental phase usually reserved for more established artists. The ambient-infused hip-hop beats make the collection very danceable for the most part, and it is, by far, the most impressive music he’s ever been a part of.
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Tim Mosley, better known as Timbaland, co-produced 11 of the album’s dozen tracks. The name may not be familiar to you, but his sound should be. Nelly Furtado’s album Loose featured his writing and production prowess, including the single “Promiscuous” which firmly established Ms. Furtado as a formidable diva. He has also worked with Aaliyah, Missy Elliott, Jay-Z, Madonna, Rihanna, and One Republic. Timbaland’s distinct sound has made him one of the most sought-after producers in the music industry.
Timberlake has become the vehicle for the producer’s most artistic experiments, including valiant efforts to replicate Prince’s white-hot and sorely missed Minneapolis sound. Most of the tracks, though, have a distinctly unfamiliar vibe. Admit it. The first time (or 10th) you listened to “Sexyback,” you hated it until you caught yourself singing it in the shower. ‘My Love,’ the album’s second single, is even more challenging to appreciate. Many of the tracks on the album stray away from today’s pop, and instead feature more electronic elements and complex instrumentation. This is a bold move for Timberlake, and while it was initially met with resistance, the songs eventually grow on you thanks to their catchiness and unique sound.
What Timberlake album would be complete without a (not so) subtle jab at his ex-lover Brittney Spears? In “What Goes Around…/Comes Around,” Justin sings about a relationship gone wrong and how karma will eventually make the other person pay. He also references the fact that his ex-lover and her husband were in an unhappy marriage. Britney retaliated with songs like “Everytime” and “Piece of Me.”
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Timberlake’s experimentation with different styles of music on FutureSex/LoveSounds is part of what makes the album unique. His sound has evolved from his days with *NSYNC, and his music is no longer recognizable as the same artist. It takes a few listens to appreciate his music’s nuances and subtleties, and even then, it may not be for everyone.
