Review: Justin Timberlake's 'The 20/20 Experience"

Timberlake's latest album finds the singer
experimenting with song-lengths and
instrumental arrangements.

          I’m aware that “The 20/20 Experience” is not exactly a recently released album, but I was able to get my hands on a copy a few weeks ago, wrote the review, and am able to publish it today.

          Following in the footsteps of many re-emerging artists today, Justin Timberlake did not stage his comeback quietly. Fans were treated to a set of perfectly-timed Television appearances during the Grammy Awards and Super Bowl weekend, and a much-hyped comeback single in the form of “Suit and Tie.” The song was an obvious choice- it’s catchy memorable and features a guest spot from Jay Z (hold the hyphen, please), yet by no means is the strongest effort on JT’s first album since 2006’s FutureSex/Lovesounds. Timberlake is also the latest superstar to embrace retro aesthetics- the physical disc’s design is based on that of a 45 RPM record, the artwork is largely black-and-white, and the ten songs on the album feature prominent Sinatra-era strings.

          Fortunately for listeners, “20/20” does not play as a collection of radio-ready hits. The average run-time for a track clocks in at seven (!) minutes, giving fans a true seventy minute “experience.” At times, the tunes feel unnecessarily long (“Spaceship Coupe” and, at times, “Don’t Hold the Wall.”) Yet most songs are journeys unto themselves- exploring sonic territories and grooves largely absent in much of today’s popular music. Infectious tunes, “Pusher Love Girl” and “Mirrors” ( the choice is somewhat obligatory-considering it’s often overplayed on Top 40 radio) highlight the set, while introspective tracks- “Blue Ocean Floor” and “Strawberry Bubblegum”-add some needed diversity.

          The instrumentation and production of “The 20/20 Experience” makes the work truly shine. Timbaland displays his craft through production and layers a lush foundation of strings, guitars, percussion and some unique beatboxing. While the backing musicians provide some excellent support for Timberlake’s smooth falsetto (honestly, he seems to overuse his abilities throughout some of the songs), some of the most important lyrics of the album can get “lost in the shuffle.”

          Accounting for the few, minor pitfalls of “The 20/20 Experience”, the album is an impressive feat for the 32-year-old. The lyrics tell stories, the beats are innovative, and the length alone is admirable. With a second installment coming September 30^th, Justin Timberlake’s music is a breath of fresh air.

~TJM