Album- The 20/20
Experience- 2 of 2
Artist- Justin
Timberlake
So apparently Justin Timberlake had a flood of creative
energy after his musical hiatus, as he quickly followed up his third studio
album with his fourth, which also acts as a sequel to the third record. Here
Timberlake once again gives us a range of experimental tracks designed to
create this fun and interesting music experience. Whilst many people are
probably really happy about another Justin Timberlake record being released so
quickly, the question remains of whether this album is a worthy second act, or
whether Timberlake should have kept these songs and worked on them for a better
album?
Track 1- Gimme What I
Don’t Know (I Want)
Opening track Gimme What I Don’t Know is a funky, heavy RnB
pop number that immediately shows that this album is going to go a bit deeper
and be a bit different from its predecessor, as here the singer is more
obviously sexual and suave. The song focuses on Timberlake telling this girl to
come over to him and give him what he both knows and doesn’t know that he
wants, with the lyrics having an animalistic quality. The chorus doesn’t grab
you the first time, but after repeated listens the song is quite catchy, and
for those fans of Timberlake who like the singer’s charm, then this will be a
great song to hear live. The singer’s vocals are smoothly layered and have a
sultry but intense feel that perfectly melds with the lyrics. The track’s sound
is good and quite intense with a snappy RnB beat and heavy synth notes, whilst
the song also feels like more of a complete package rather than an annoyingly
long track.
3.5/5
Track 2- True Blood
With a title like True Blood Timberlake really signals that
this is an intense affair, and indeed it is. The song works well being placed
after the previous track as the song follows the same kind of sensual,
animalistic lyrical tone, as here we find the singer reflecting on this girl
having this true blood that makes her irresistible. The songs vocally a bit hit
and miss, as sometimes the singer goes a bit too deep but at other times he
uses his range really well, with the use of Auto Tune also adding an
interesting texture to the chorus that makes the song catchy. The song has more
of an electronic sound with a slight exotic feel and a pulsating beat that
intensifies the track, whilst the bridge nicely evokes the work of Michael
Jacksons Thriller with the use of funky guitar riffs and sharp strings for a
dark, moody sound. The final three minutes of the song is the only major issue,
as this final section feels much more self-indulgent rather than adding
anything to the track or making it more exciting for the listener.
3.5/5
Track 3- Cabaret
(featuring Drake)
Teaming up with Canadian rapper Drake, Cabaret is a thumping
RnB pop song with a slightly soulful edge to the production. Here we find Timberlake
singing about how his girl impresses him with her body and the way she moves,
with the song having a simplistic tone that is elevated by the smooth and
sophisticated charm of the singers vocal. Within the song Timberlake nicely
deviates from really holding the notes to giving us snappier moments, creating
a vibrant feel to the track that makes it more appealing. Drake provides a fast
paced rap for the songs bridge that adds a nice urban sheen to the song, and
although the wobbling beats of the production and clicking instrumentation is
slightly typical of the singer at this point, it is a sharp sound that suits
the overall feel of the track.
3.5/5
Track 4- TKO
After singing of how great his girl is in the last track,
Timberlake seems to do a u turn with TKO, in which this girl has suddenly gone
cold with him and he is knocked out by his feelings and the way that the
relationship has turned. The song is slightly more lyrically refined than the
previous track with a solid and catchy pop chorus that is nicely contrasted
with the sharpness of the lyrics in the verses. Vocally the singer gives us a
smooth layered style that makes the lyrics have a greater impact on the
listener. Producer Timbaland brings heavy drums and scratchy beats to the
production that creates an intense sound that matches the lyrical tone, and
although the song is reminiscent of the singers older work, he manages to give
it a modern update and still remind us of why we loved him in the first place,
with the only problem being that the last minute of the song again could have
and probably should have been cut.
3.5/5
Track 5- Take Back
the Night
Lead single Take Back the Night is a funky disco and RnB
track that focuses on Timberlake addressing a potential lover and trying to get
her to move and dance. Lyrically this is perhaps the least focused song on the
record, but with a light hook that makes the song extremely catchy, things are
still appealing. Timberlake’s charm abounds within the track as his smooth and
light vocals work well with the bouncy disco rhythm. The songs production
nicely gives a throwback essence to the song that shows the singers love for
Michael Jackson, with thumping bass and stirring strings, whilst the horn stabs
at the end act as a lovely outro for the song.
3.5/5
Track 6- Murder
(featuring Jay Z)
US rapper and Timberlake’s friend Jay Z jumps on board for
Murder, which constitutes the third collaboration from the pair this year. The
song finds Timberlake simply singing of how this girl has this confidence and
appearance that makes her a murderer through her looks, whilst he also tells
the girl to be wary of this. The lyrics are sharp and catchy but the singer’s
vocals don’t quite hit the mark this time as some of his charm is lost and he
just seems to kind of float along vocally. Jay Z provides a short but fun rap
for the track that brings an extra flavour to the song, whilst the snappy
percussion and vibrant beats of the production creates a simple but quite groovy
sound for the song. It is a nice track, but it is probably the worst out of the
three Jay Z and Timberlake collaborations this year.
3.5/5
Track 7- Drink You
Away
Third single Drink You Away finds Timberlake settling more
into his Tennessee roots for a track that features a different, more guitar
driven sound and which has a prominent country vibe. The lyrics of the song
detail the singer’s troubles in forgetting this relationship he was in and this
girl he once loved, with the chorus focusing on how he has tried various alcoholic
drinks but nothing works to make him forget. With a simple chorus that is
nicely contrasted with the softer verses the song is very catchy, and the
lyrics are also smart in the way that the singer subtly addresses his Tennessee
roots. The vocal performance is smooth and passionate and finds the singer in a
comfortable groove, whilst the stabs of the guitars and the forceful rhythm
makes for a strong sound that shows the singer can do different styles, and
that potentially a country album from him isn’t that strange an idea.
3.5/5
Track 8- You Got It
On
Once again Timberlake focuses on a single girl who has this
power over him, with You Got It On finding the singer telling this girl that
she has got all the right assets and that they will always end up in the right
place within their relationship. Lyrically the song is nice and simple, but the
singer’s vocals definitely elevate the songs ability to keep the listeners
attention. This is because Timberlake uses his higher register to great effect,
and the vocals are also layered to give the song a further sensual edge. The
wiggly synth notes and electronic flow of the track creates a smooth RnB feel
for the song that compliments the lyrics, and so for people who haven’t been won
over by the singers charm yet, this song might just do the trick, particularly
when the string heavy outro kicks in.
3.5/5
Track 9- Amnesia
The opening of Amnesia starts where the last track finished
off in terms of a string heavy sound. But then the songs scratchy beats and
clicky production kicks in to give a more subdued and melancholic flow to this
track. The song is more narrative led lyrically as Timberlake details this
situation in which he seems to have lost the memories and the love that he had
for this girl, which she is trying to make him remember. In terms of the songs
placement on the album it is great, because coming after the last track this
song definitely shows a different side of the singer, with the vocal being a
bit deeper and the singer bringing out the pain of the track beautifully. The
use of the strings brings out the weary tone of the track nicely but the sound
is a bit bland in terms of being typical Timberlake, and the song also suffers
through the prolonging of the track to its seven minute length.
3/5
Track 10- Only When I
Walk Away
From the guitar heavy opening you know that the singer means
business, and once again we get a track that shows off a bit of a different
side to the singer and shows that his typical RnB pop style isn’t the only
sound that he is suited to. Vocally the song is processed to have this cool,
gritty texture that makes the passion of the song that more potent to listen
to. Lyrically the song finds Timberlake simply telling the listener of this
girl who is a bit crazy in that she only loves him when he is actually not
there for her. The chorus is simple and will resonate with people in a crazy
relationship, whilst the vocal does feel very emotive. The song utilises
aggressive guitar riffs and heavy bass for a slightly more organic but still
RnB infused sound that is fun and maintains your interest in the track,
although not for seven minutes.
3.5/5
Track 11- Not a Bad
Thing
Not a Bad Things is a light RnB pop song that is quite sweet
and once again brings diversity to the record. Timberlake sings of how people
get hurt in life but if this girl falls in love with him she shouldn’t act like
it is a bad thing, because he will supposedly treat her right. The lyrics
definitely benefit from the singers light tone, and as the singer shows off his
range he brings a sense of warmth and sincerity to the lyrics. The acoustic
guitar loop and snappy percussion gives a safe but nice sound for the track,
whilst also creating a nice flow that makes the song definitely sound very
sweet and meaningful.
3.5/5
Track 12- Pair of
Wings (hidden track)
Hidden track Pair of Wings starts around the five and a half
minute mark of Not a Bad Thing. The song is the most acoustic offering on the
album and follows on from the previous track in terms of the lyrics. This is
because once again the singer is telling this girl that he will be there for
her, with the song focusing on Timberlake telling his lover that if he had a
pair of wings he would take her far away and just love and protect her. The
song shows a lovely (if a bit soppy) side of the singer, and his voice really
shines with the simple backdrop of the light acoustic guitar and some soft
strings.
3.5/5
Final Review
It is difficult to fully establish whether The 20/20
Experience- 2 of 2 is actually a better album than its predecessor. In one
sense the album definitely is. This is because, aside from a few tracks, the
problem of annoying track lengths and musical indulgence on Timberlake’s part
is avoided. We are given an accomplished set of nice RnB pop tunes that is made
stronger by the singer’s undeniable charm. However, the album definitely lacks
big impressive singles and other standout songs that the previous record had,
whilst there is a slight of a lack of progression from one album to the other.
Ultimately it comes down to simple personal preference as to if you think this
record is a better follow up, and for me it is.
7.5/10
Best Track- Drink You
Away
Worst Track- Amnesia
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