Justin Timberlake 鈥� 鈥楾he 20/20 Experience鈥�
It鈥檚 refreshing to see and hear another Justin other than Bieber burning up the charts.
The man who successfully and stylishly managed to bring sexy back is at it once again. Formal wear is the appropriate attire and impeccably cool is the attitude featured on Justin Timberlake鈥檚 third studio album.
鈥淭he 20/20 Experience鈥� is fronted by the infectiously radio-friendly lead single 鈥淪uit & Tie,鈥� showcasing a little assistance from Jay-Z as Timberlake offers up Michael Jackson-esque vocals reminiscent of his first album 鈥淛ustified.鈥�
The entertainer extraordinaire teams up once again with producer Timbaland and the results are as stupendous as 2006鈥檚 鈥淔utureSex/LoveSound.鈥� A lush string arrangement makes for a grand entrance on the opener 鈥淧usher Love Girl,鈥� as Timberlake combines a throwback 鈥�50s-glamour feel with a soulfully addictive vocal performance.
鈥淪trawberry Bubblegum鈥� is a funky, modern R&B number that evokes a Barry White-sounding opening with harmonious traces of the Brothers Johnson from 1977鈥檚 鈥淩ight on Time,鈥� featuring the supercool 鈥淪trawberry Letter 23.鈥� Introduced as JT and the Tennessee Kids (a cheeky nod to Timberlake鈥檚 birthplace of Memphis) on the opening of 鈥淭hat Girl,鈥� Timberlake delivers a vintage Motown vibe that is as cool as the other side of the pillow possessing a hip bass groove and melodious brass section.
The tender vulnerability of 鈥淢irrors鈥� is an album standout outlining the testing and strengthening of a special relationship. While the song鈥檚 video is dedicated to Timberlake鈥檚 grandparents, the impassioned lyrics most certainly could be a reference to his marriage to the beautiful Jessica Biel as Timberlake sings, 鈥淚t鈥檚 like you鈥檙e my Mirror/My mirror staring back at me.鈥�
The subdued feel of the absorbing ballad 鈥淏lue Ocean Floor鈥� closes the album with experimental flare and memorable grace. With the average song length clocking in around seven minutes, Timberlake consciously follows the lead of mega bands such as Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin and Queen, leaving time for the music to engulf the senses.
After nearly seven years since his last release, Timberlake鈥檚 in no rush to bring the music to a voguish end. Rumor has it that Timberlake will release another new album this year to follow up the first leg of his splendidly satisfying escapade.