Post by uptowndragon on Mar 26, 2007 11:52:22 GMT 8
Futuresex/lovesounds
Justin Timberlake
(Pop/Dance/R&B/Hip Hop)
Album Review (by uptowndragon)
Rating: 4/5
The number one billboard chart debuting Futuresex/lovesounds is clearly the soundtrack for the 21st century and I am quite surprised that it didn't win album of the year at the Grammies. Music from it from would hardly seem out of place even in trendy New York dance clubs a decade away. A definitive album that will set Justin Timberlake apart from his peers.
The former N'sync boy has come a long way, having already garnered 2 Grammies in 2004, followed by another 2 this year. It is a clear indication that he has come of age and is destined to be one of the key propagators of this decade, even though the album seems heavily inspired by Timbaland, and his signature styling. This continuous team up with hip hop's brightest producers indicates Justin's growing maturity and cosmic understanding of the direction of marketable yet critically acceptable music progression.
Futuresex/lovesounds doesn't stray too far from what its title implies, with 12 masterfully engineered tracks that can easily stand up on their own. With two back to back number one hits in Sexyback and My Love, and another top 10 hit in What Goes Around which is currently making the airwaves, the album is without a doubt one of the most impressive & refreshing albums to hit our shores in a long time. Right from the tectonically raunchy opening beats of Futuresex/lovesounds (which seemed to be dipped in a little Rupaul like sauciness) right up to the soulfully lusty closing notes of All Over Again, Futuresex/lovesounds demonstrates with every single track how a modern pop album should be constructed. Listening to it is quite an experience that needs to be savoured in many sittings, and in its entire collective, even though many of the tracks can easily make solo debuts. The core of the album contains rhythms and beats that are abstract yet vibrant, thanks to well known producers, Timbaland's (Timothy Z. Mosley) & his protege Nate 'Danja' Hill's divine assembly.
Fortunately, Timbaland's production doesn't steal the show away from Justin, as he (Timberland) tends to with most other artistes he has worked with. There is deep synergistic fusion between Justin's soulful vocals and clever falsetto escapades and Timberland's layer rich blending of melody & rhythm, with intricately laid beats, which is evident on most songs, but especially more so on Lovestoned (I Think She Knows). Together with co-producers Justin & Danja, Timbaland has created a melting pot of sounds on Futuresex/lovesounds that works quite brilliantly and which is likely to please even the worse of critics, without compromising the credibility of the artiste.
However, I do have reservations regarding the infusion of some guest artistes on this album which I feel it clearly doesn't need, but I think their inclusion is merely an unnecessary articulation to help capture a wider audience. Although Will.I.Am (from Black Eyed Peas) on D'amn Girl doesn't detract as much, I am completely against the inclusion of the Three 6 Mafia flavoured Chop Me Up which goes against the grain of the album. Not that it's a bad song but it would probably be better off on a Three 6 Mafia album instead. Justin is no Eminem and should stay clear from gangstas. Apart from that very minor bump, the entire album sizzles and oozes with a musical sexiness, and is set to be a commercial and critical success. Lyrics wise, the album doesn’t blow any minds but is cohesive and easily relatable, and occasionally poetic, covering common topics as life and relationships.
I liked most of the songs and the album in its thematic entity, but the tracks that stand out individually for me are the Nippon-esque and soulful Until the End of Time, the rhythmically engaging What Goes Around and the chart busting My Love.
Although not nearly perfect (but quite close), Futuresex/lovesounds sets the pace for the new millennium with an imaginative and enjoyable album that fuses several genres, which I strongly recommend you rush out and add to your collection. The only gripe I have about this album is the illegible credits on the sleeve notes.
I am lucky enough to have listened to 3 really good albums released and distributed in Malaysia by Sony-BMG so far this year and this happens to be one of them. It's available at all leading music stores and hypermarkets so hurry along now!!!
Published first by Rentak Sejuta (C) 2007 (www.rentaksejuta.com)
