Justin Timberlake: FutureSex/Lovesounds
he first single from Justin Timberlake’s sophomore solo release “FutureSex/LoveSounds” informed us that he was bringing sexy back, an assertion that left most of us bewildered; we didn’t know it went anywhere in the first place. More surprisingly the world had apparently been waiting for the return of sexy; “SexyBack” shot up the charts earning Timberlake his first solo #1 on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart and also earning him his first #1 solo single in the United Kingdom.
Despite the absence of The Neptunes’ Pharrell Williams (who produced the majority of Timberlake’s last album) listeners will initially find “FutureSex/LoveSounds” to have the feel of “Justified” but a more in depth play of the album provides the listener with a sense of Justin Timberlake’s growth as a musician. “FutureSex/LoveSounds” has depth and offers an element that is quite rare in music today; the album is designed specifically to be listened to all the way through.
A quality that almost entirely went out with vinyl, “FutureSex/LoveSounds” offers preludes and interludes that practically melt one song into another. Quite an accomplishment considering how many different elements Timberlake and his producers integrated into the songs on “FutureSex/Lovesounds”. The album begins with “SexyBack” sandwiched between songs filled with funk overtones that could have only been inspired by Prince.
The fourth track “My Love” features rapper T.I., Timbaland’s classic rhythmic beatboxing and Justin Timberlake’s signature falsetto, the masterfully layered song launches somewhat predictable lyrics into what is sure to be a hit comparable to anything on “Justified”. “LoveStoned/I Think She Knows (Interlude)” starts out like a typical club track with a steady driving beat and almost seamlessly melts into a beautiful song with swells of a string orchestra and Timberlake crooning the exact same words heard earlier in the song, slowing the pace of the album.
“What Goes AroundâÂ?¦/âÂ?¦Comes Around (Interlude)” ensures that the Britney questions never go away, transitioning from the cheating girl breaking a guy’s heart to her (somewhat satisfyingly) facing the same thing in her newfound relationship. After that “Chop Me Up” featuring Timbaland and the Academy Award Winning Three 6 Mafia, (a catchy but ridiculous track chock full of pop culture references) picks the album back up. “Chop Me Up” is followed by “Damn Girl”, which is possibly the most disappointing track on the album, featuring will.i.am of The Black Eyed Peas who proceeds to lay down a guest verse that is remarkably short of anything he’s done in the past.
The worst part is (repetitive rhythmic chanting of the song’s title aside) otherwise “Damn Girl” has its moments. “FutureSex/LoveSounds” then approaches its final stage, with “”Summer Love/Set the Mood (Prelude)” bringing the tempo down for “Until the End of Time” Feat. The Benjamin Wright Orchestra, the first of three ballads that close out the standard release.
“Losing My Way” is a song that Timberlake has said was inspired by a documentary he saw about Crystal Meth, and after assuming the character of a guy named “Bob” the song builds until Timberlake is joined by a gospel choir pleading for help finding his way. In terms of content and style, this song is way off from anything else on “FutureSex/LoveSounds” but its message also has more substance (no pun intended) than anything else on the album and the gospel influence is inherent to Timberlake’s musical roots (his biological father is a choir director at a Baptist church).
The closer “(Another Song) All Over Again” brings the album to a gentle end featuring a completely stripped down vocals and a band, with Timberlake pleading for one more chance at a love he has already jeopardized. Overall “FutureSex/LoveSounds” is an overwhelming success, highlighting what is probably the most important thing about Timberlake’s career; he is never satisfied by doing the same thing simply because it has earned him great success in the past.
With “FutureSex/LoveSounds” Timberlake has taken his signature sound and pushed it to the extreme. Leaving everybody but his long time fans bewildered again, this time by the idea that Justin Timberlake was ever in something as “homogenous” as a boy band.
