After a 4 year hiatus, Justin Timberlake returns with not 1, but 2 full length albums. I will get this out of the way early on, I am not typically a fan of the type of music that Timberlake has released in the past. I have always respected him, because he is a true talent, but until 20/20 experience 2/2 I wouldn’t have actively listened to his records. That being said, if Justin continues to experiment with sounds, song structure and production techniques like he does on 2/2, I will be keeping up with what he does in the future.
The
first track “Give Me What I Don’t Know (I Want)” begins with huge vocal
harmonies outside of the typical pop chord structure. If Michael Jackson or Prince were young again and creating
music in this generation, this seems like the integrity-pop they would have
made. I can’t imagine pop music ever
being the same again after this record gets into the hands of the masses.
Timberlake throws caution to the
wind and has the budget to back up a project this ambitious. He has created a delightfully
self-indulgent romp through experimental pop. The shortest song on the album is 4 minutes and 33 seconds,
with the longest clocking at 11 minutes and 29 seconds. In a world of pre-historic label
executive mindsets, uninspired “how would Usher do it” songwriting, and
producers that follow the 3 minute 30 second rule of the radio, Timberlake is
making a statement…The bar has been raised, so Robin Thicke, Ke$ha, Miley Cirus
and all the other big money creature factory puppets find every ladder you can
and start climbing.
Not only is the production on 2/2
top notch, the songs all stand on their own as tasteful and creative, in or out
of context of the record as a whole.
Mr. Timberlake may be the last great major label performer. His growth as an artist and his back-story
are legendary, his staying power is unparalleled, and most importantly, unlike
his other radio peers, he continues to evolve and refuses to be pigeon holed as
a one trick pony.
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