Album Review: Justin Timberlake - The 20/20 Experience

When, in 2003's Rock Your Body Justin Timberlake warned, “Gonna have you naked by the end of this song”, even straight blokes were reaching for their flies obediently. With hits like that and Lovestoned [from 2006's FutureSex/Lovesounds], it seemed a new 'King of Pop' had been crowned.

Rather than show gratitude to fans who have waited nearly seven years for his return to music, Timberlake opens his new album with Pusher Love Girl – an eight-minute 'Fuck you, suckers!' that serves as a warning sign to bail quickly before perma-damage is done. Nobody should begrudge his move into acting (fine in The Social Network, humdrum in Southland Tales) but it seems to have robbed him of his muse.

The 20/20 Experience is anything but clear sighted – half-baked R&B moves slum with overlong grooves failing to find their feet. Goading net porn horniness in Strawberry Bubblegum (explicitly about cunnilingus) is uncomfortable listening when he sounds so much like Michael Jackson. Aping Prince on Pusher Love Girl like a SNL sketch is just lazy and Dress On lumbers with the lecherousness of an entourage far too acquainted with the Playboy mansion's indulgences. The scant lyrical diversity may not have been so bad if there was a scintilla of catchiness in the proceedings.

The 20/20 Experience was tossed out in just three weeks and it shows. Too many songs overstay their welcome and he relies far too heavily on the production team (once again led by Timbaland). There's no 'thanks' list and seemingly employing Charlie Pickering to stand in for the cover photos adds to the impersonal feel. The 20/20 Experience is the equivalent of a champagne soaked lay that's left you with chlamydia.