Don’t call it a comeback; call it a takeover, because that’s exactly what singer Justin Timberlake did with his newest album “The 20/20 Experience.”
Released March 15, 2013, Timberlake comes back with a mission to reinvent R&B music like no other. With the help of friend and business partner Timberland, Timberlake gives audiences a new, yet old-school style of love songs, dancing melodies and simply feel-good music.
Timberlake capture audiences with his catchy and seductive beats and words, in which we all love to think is about his new wife Jessica Biel.
This album marks Timberlake’s third album under RCA Records after a four-year hiatus from music. The album soared to the No. 1 spot on Billboard charts opening week, managing to sell 1.29 million copies. With record sales that great, it’s no surprise that Timberlake’s album is the first and only album to hit the 1 million mark.
“’20/20’ is so classic. People have been waiting on real R&B music,” said Calvin Steele, a UTM junior Marketing major.
Timberlake has maintained his reign on the No. 1 spot even after competition like Lil Wayne’s “I Am Not A Human Being Part Two,” which seemed to change things, but fell short of 100,000 copies.
“I absolutely love his new album. I’ve been listening to it since the day I bought it. I feel like he’s trying to bring the soul back to R&B. I love the use of metaphors in each song to tie in with the name of the album and the use of the live band in the background of his songs. This album is a best-seller,” said Danielle Black, a UTM freshman Veterinary Medicine major.
The album is a neo-soul album inspired by music from 60s and 70s rock music with various metaphors for sex and love through the entire album.
Many think that this CD makes a great playlist for anywhere.
“I love it. This cd you can listen to whenever and wherever. Great to add to the summer playlist,” said Taylor Perry, a UTM sophomore Human Health and Performance major.
Mikael Wood of the Los Angeles Times felt that the album compared to artists such as Stevie Wonder, Prince and Michael Jackson.
Jody Rosen of the Rolling Stone said that it lacked songs as immediate as his pervious hits, but the album’s music eventually “sinks its teeth in, even on the wooziest songs.”
What makes an album is when the listener can play the entire CD through and like the majority of the songs. In my personal opinion, his album does just that. The album takes listeners through many emotions, but the most important one is enjoyment. His new spin on an older style of music is what makes audiences engaged and interesting in his every move. If Timberlake continues on this path of unlimited success, his star won’t be fading anytime soon.
“It’s very smooth, perfect for a sunny day with the top down on the expressway or simply hanging with friends or significant other. Two thumbs up,” said Barrina Woods, a UTM freshman Communications major
