Timberlake changes it up in his fourth studio album
October 7, 2013
With the success of the hit single “Suit and Tie” featuring JAY Z and various other singles from part one of “The 20/20 Experience” – it’s shocking Timberlake is self-assured enough to give his fans a second dose so soon.
Timberlake’s fourth solo studio album, “The 20/20 Experience 2 of 2,” is undoubtedly quite different from its counterpart.
While promoting the new album on “The Jimmy Kimmel Show”, Timberlake said, “The first (album) is a little more summertime, it’s a little more virginal. The second half is just a little more slutty.”
He’s not lying.
Part two has a little bit more of a risqué feel than part one on several tracks.
“Take Back The Night” the first single on “The 20/20 Experience – 2 of 2” peaked at No. 8 on Billboards’ “Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs” list after its release on July 12.
“Take Back The Night” is an R&B track reminiscent of the early ‘80s disco sound, which really set the tone for the album.
“The 20/20 Experience – 2 of 2” is extremely fun with a wide range of genres.
Over the years, it has become apparent producer Timbaland and Timberlake make a really good musical pair and the combination creates unexpected hits for the listener.
“The 20/20 Experience – 2 of 2” features a track “True Blood” that has a new school sound with an old school Michael Jackson “Thriller” feel to it, making it perfect for playing at every costume party this fall.
On the track, Timberlake describes a vampire-like girl who he loves despite her being evil.
The nine and a half minutes of echoing mystical lyrics combined with the Benjamin Wright String Orchestra − the same orchestra that also played on Timberlake’s “FutureSex/LoveSounds” from 2006 − creates the perfect supernatural song for this season.
With the affectionate song,“Mirrors,” from part one of “The 20/20 Experience” being so successful, Timberlake didn’t leave listeners empty handed in the love department.
He features a hidden ballad between tracks 11 and 12 titled “Pair of Wings”.
This track is lyrically similar to his 2002 track “Let’s Take a Ride”, suggesting that he wishes he could relieve his loved one from all their troubles.
Specific narrative songs like these are the ones that show Timberlake’s real talent.
Drake and JAY Z make the only two guest appearances on “The 20/20 Experience – 2 of 2,” and the choice of guest appearances once again allows Timberlake to show off the fact that he can create good music across many genres.
Timberlake is willing to take risks with his sound and that shows with this album.
Some of the songs may need to be heard a couple of times before they really become likeable due to their unexpected nature, but Timberlake makes the hard work of appealing to a broad audience seem effortless and will unquestionably go down in history as one of the most musically versatile artists of his time.
Anisca Miles can be reached at [email protected]