Corrie Walker
Features Editor
After six long years, Justin Timberlake has finally resurfaced on the Billboard charts.
The 20/20 Experience is Timberlake’s third album, released on March 19, moving an incredibly impressive 968,000 units in just the first week.
After winning several Grammy and Emmy Awards for albums FutureSex/LoveSounds (2006) and Justified (2002), Timberlake dropped from the music scene and took up residence on the big screen.
During the last six years between his sophomore album and The 20/20 Experience, Timberlake starred in several films including The Social Network, In Time and Friends with Benefits.
After those many years without the release of even a hit single, the world was unprepared when Timberlake announced the release of The 20/20 Experience just a few months back in January.
Much of the album’s success could be contributed to the hard work Timberlake put in while promoting the album.
He worked hard to make appearances on all levels of media. Some of his performances included singing on Super Bowl Weekend and at the Grammy Awards. He also hosted and performed on Saturday Night Live and appeared on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon for an entire week.
Timberlake also utilized social media to respond to his fans and further promote the album.
“I’m gonna find a way to show my appreciation to you ladies and gents this week… Stay tuned. #finderskeepers,” tweeted the pop star on March 27th.
He followed up his promise two days later by creating a Twitter Scavenger Hunt — whoever followed his picture clues to the prize got to keep it.
“It’s friday and I ain’t got $h*t to do! Sooo I placed 5 signed vinyls around the country! #staytuned #finderskeepers,” tweeted Timberlake.
Also, the release of the hit single “Suit & Tie” preceded the album, kicking off JT’s return to musical fame with his first single in over six years.
Throughout the album, Timberlake’s smooth voice is accompanied by clever beats and an R&B, soulful, yet still pop-infiltrated, feel.
Each of the ten tracks average about seven minutes in length. Repetitive beats and lyrics make the songs easy for DJs and clubs to transition in mixes.
The first song titled “Pusher Love Girl” begins the album with stringed instruments, transitioning into a steady beat paired with some of JT’s famous smooth falsetto.
Themes of romance and sex infiltrate the soulful tracks – which makes sense since he just recently married long-time girlfriend Jessica Biel.
“I’m just a junkie for your love,” he sings about his girl being the drug of his choice.
This album features a little more international flavor than on previous albums with the tracks “Don’t Hold the Wall” and “Let the Groove Get In.” Futuristic sounds blend with smooth R&B sounds in “Strawberry Bubblegum,” “Spaceship Coupe,” “Tunnel Vision” and “Blue Ocean Floor.” However, “That Girl,” “Suit & Tie” and “Pusher Love Girl” hold truest to the soulful roots JT tries to imitate. “Mirrors,” the second most popular song on the album, most resembles his previous work and is an enjoyable and easy song to sing-along with.
Much like his last two albums, The 20/20 Experience features 10 tracks in which JT’s cooing chords and smooth sound is sure to make the ladies swoon.
These ten songs are only the beginning of Justin Timberlake’s musical comeback. A second volume of the album is scheduled for release in November.
