Justin Timberlake ladies and gentlemen, in the last few years quite frankly has become the essence of everything "Cool" about pop music. Of course though, he started out very shaky, His early 2000's "Justified" album may have gotten him some Grammy nods, but for the most part sounded like a handful of NSYNC leftovers with some flashier production. There were certainly a few moments however that came off alright, and Justin obviously even from his beginnings was a hell of a performer. To be honest, I sort of wrote Justin Off like another faceless pop star at the time. However, Justin really did blow my mind with his next release "FutureSex/LoveSounds". This was a polished, soulful and funky collection of expertly crafted Pop Tunes. But it was so much more than that. At the time, this album really did push every boundary in Pop. For the most part, these weren't 3-minute radio singles, these were 8-minute Pop epics, featuring multiple passages and seemingly endless ideas. I wouldn't say that Justin reinvented Pop, or even updated it. But he truly mastered it here, creating a slew or timeless Pop gems that still sound incredible. Justin returned in 2013 with "The 20/20 Experience", split into two parts. The first part was actually really enjoyable. At this point, obviously, Justin knew how to write a Pop song. He took a lot of the same elements of his previous work, bringing in epic song structures and pristine production. And while the songs on here weren't as immediate, some needing multiple listens, this album was once again a Pop gem. But this time around Justin wasn't just sending Pop to daring new levels, but also saluting all of the wonderful Pop stars of the past. But shortly after, Justin released the second part of his "20/20 Experience", and it was quickly becoming evident that Justin's formula was running dry. The tracks here were still polished and "epic", but not nearly as memorable. Sure, singles like "TKO" and "Drink You Away" are great pop singles, the majority of the rest of the tunes here just seemed so unfocused. But oh boy, these new singles Justin, quite frankly have been awful, and while I've enjoyed Justin's work in the past I have a bad feeling about this one.
(A personal favorite of mine)
This album starts off with its lead single, “Filthy”, and right off the bat I have to say I was expecting just so much more. From this very grand opening, I was expecting some very sleek and hip Pop music that Justin’s been dishing out for years. But what we get is the exact opposite. The beat here is sloppy, and not nearly as interesting or as a groove as I was hoping it would be. And these lyrics, Justin, come on buddy. I mean, he’s always had a very overt sexuality to his music, it’s what made his album’s work so well. But this track isn’t sexy, half of the imagery is absolutely disgusting, to be honest. I’m not exactly sure where this fits in with the concept of “Man of the Woods”, but I’m not even sure I want to if “Filthy” is involved. How can you promise us a life-changing change of pace of an album, and give us rehashed lackluster Pop int he style of what you’ve been pushing out for years? Now, while the majority of this album is just plain unlistenable, I actually do like “Midnight Summer Jam” quite a bit. I love Justin’s swagger here and the very colorful beat. While I wouldn’t say this track is anything bold or new for Justin, these are a lot of the sounds that I fell in love with years ago. Unlike a whole lot of material on this album, this one is carefree sounding and animated. Justin’s vocals are also some of his best we have on the whole project. Not to mention, Justin seems to be showing some real attitude, which I love. But on “Midnight Summer Jam”, confidence is the name of the game, and it’s just so refreshing to hear. There's a great bluesy jam towards the end, and the beat throughout just seems so eclectic. I mean, once again I’m not certain I get where this actually fits in with the “Man Of The Woods” vibe, but I’m going to just ignore that for now. Sadly though, Justin loses me almost instantly with “Sauce”. I have no idea why these tracks are just coming off so overly sleazy to the point of nausea, but they are, and Justin just ends up sounding unlikable. His vocals aren’t nearly as soaring here, and the electro-funk of this one honestly would have been a lot more compelling if some other Pop star was behind the wheel. I feel like there are just so many one-liners on, “Sauce” that is way too cringeworthy. We’re three tracks in, and I already wish Justin scrapped this. But up next is where things get even worse, with this album’s title track “Man of the Woods”. And let me tell you, we’re slowly starting to get that woodsy vibe, but I really wish we didn’t. The last thing I wanted to hear is Justin deliver more cringeworthy bars over a low-key beat while strumming on a guitar. It’s the definition of some of the worst Pop music I’ve ever heard. Justin at one time was the definition of cool. But with tracks like this, he comes off as Pop’s goofball, and I’m sure that’s not what he was aiming for. Even the vocals here are ridiculously goofy, practically coming off like a barbershop quartet. This album is sapping the energy out of me.
Thankfully, “Higher Higher” at the very least shows Justin going back in a Pop direction. But I still feel like he’s yet to really grab me with this album. This track is so tasteless, and while I would rather listen to this than him deliver more creepy sex bars, I just feel like he’s not giving this his all. I literally have nothing to say about this track. Honestly, I can’t remember a time when I’ve never had anything to say about a Justin Timberlake track. This beat though is so dime-a-dozen, Justin’s performance isn’t as passionate as he thinks it is, and this is all so flavorless. Then we have “Wave”, and oh boy Justin, you really have to be careful with some of these rock instrumentals, because they’re coming off more out of place by the minute. But to be honest, of all the evils on this album, “Wave” really isn’t that bad. While yes, that incessant guitar strumming is a little annoying, Justin seems actually confident and focused on his verses here. Hell, a lot of this comes off like some scrapped idea from his early work. But I do have to say, this track does get a little repetitive and easily could have been switched up more. But with all of the absolute trash on this album, “Wave” isn’t terrible. But then there’s “Supplies”, which from the moment I heard it weeks ago, I knew was one of the worst tunes Justin had ever touched. This very nocturnal beat and the ridiculous ad-libs are laughable, and not Justin at all. There’s absolutely nothing about this track that I can actually take seriously. Justin’s performance is cheesy and way too sleazy, and his pop culture references and one-liners are hilariously bad. Not to mention, I just can’t stand his vocal performance here. There’s so little about this album that actually fits this “Man of the Woods” vibe. No, this is just a bunch of tracks that sound like they were tossed out of older recordings. At the very least, “Morning Light” has some pretty stunning instrumentals. And while I’m not completely sold on the beat, I actually think Justin’s performance is really soulful. Not to mention, I would say that Alicia Keys’ performance after all of these lackluster performances is actually stunning. I wish this one may have switched it up a bit more, but overall this is a seriously bluesy and soulful number that I really don’t have any major problems with. I mean, once again I wouldn’t say that Justin is reinventing himself, and in a lot of ways, he’s rehashing a lot. But man, I would rather hear that than another track with his guitar.
Now, to be perfectly honest, if Justin is going to for this more rugged, “Man of The Woods” feel, “Say Something” featuring Chris Stapleton is actually really great. The guitars haven’t come off this tasteful, not the entire album, and I love just how passionate both Justin and Chris come off. Now, I do have to say, I don’t think this track is nearly as “deep” as Justin meant it to be. But for a Pop tune with a much more rugged feel than we’re used to, I’m 100% into this. But then we have moments like “Hers (Interlude), which I really don’t want anything to do with. It’s just so incredibly self-indulgent and ridiculous, and while I don’t want to dwell on it, it’s just so damn annoying. By the time we get to “Flannel”, it’s obvious that Justin has dropped everything Pop about this album, with this one being a straight up Roots Rock, soulful ballad. Honestly, though, this may be one of Justin’s best performances on the entire album. And while yes, this is literally the cheesiest track of the litter and almost makes me gag with some of the one liners, I think Justin’s performance is charming and heartfelt, and much more passionate. To me, I feel like this is what we were supposed to be getting with this album. And if we did, I really don’t think I would have minded it as much. But there’s also this bizarre interlude at the end of the track, which is just really confusing and bizarre. But I’m gonna let THAT slide. Strangely enough, Justin follows that up with a straight up, funky Pop tune with “Montana”, and honestly it’s one of the best tunes here. It really does make me wonder though, how the hell is this album so all over the place. We went from a straight up stripped down folk ballad, to “Montana” which has this very nocturnal feel and a driving beat and spacey synths. Hell, even the mysterious strumming that pops in occasionally is really nice. As far as a straightforward pop tune goes, this is gold, and once again, a testament to that this album could have been. Justin here seems so confident, and that very “Cool” feel is back in a big way. I really don’t have anything bad to say about “Montana”. And while no, this isn’t exactly the feeling I get thinking about Montana, I’ll but it Justin.
I honestly thought that Justin was going to end up finishing this album nicely. But right from this intro of “Breeze Off The Pond” JT throws it all away. This isn’t cool, this isn’t slick, this sounds like a reworking of a cornier moment from his “Justified” album. It’s moments like this that the strumming guitars don’t come off rustic or interesting, they just come off as obnoxious. The very smooth atmosphere is a nice touch, but nothing about this is worth more than a single listen in my book. And right from the intro of “Livin’ Off the Land”, this one just grinds all of my gears. How am I supposed to take this seriously after a long list of glossy and shiny Pop songs? This track is so tasteless, Justing doesn’t even end up sounding confident, just really awkward. Even the chorus here is just so shaky and terribly written. There are just one too many shallow appeals on this album, I can’t even see hardcore Justin fans being like “THIS IS SO REAL”. The warm vocals are just so flimsy, and the amount of bland Pop nonsense is absolutely out of control. Honestly though, “The Hard Stuff” may be the folkiest and Country inspired tracks yet. But actually, it comes off once again exactly what I wanted to hear out of this album. It’s smooth, and Justin legitimately sounds so heartfelt and passionate. While I feared a track like this would be a living cornball, it’s actually refreshing. Not to mention, it’s a heartwarming ballad at that. “The Hard Stuff” ends up being one of the more interesting tunes here by far, to the point where I wish it was longer. This album ends off with “Young Man”, and I dunno, it IS an adorable sentiment. And the inclusion of Justin’s son Silas is totally fine and sweet. But I don’t know why this comes off so indulgent. Not to mention, it doesn’t wrap anything up here, we’re sort of just left with “Yea, this is the end”. I’m just so not into “Young Man”, which sadly is what I feel about 90% of this album.
Rating: 5.8/10
Give A Listen To: “Midnight Summer Jam”, "Montana", "The Hard Stuff", "Flannel"
Genre: Pop / R&B
Overall Thoughts: This is by far Justin's most diluted and self indulgent project, period. Justin promised us something new, something special, something combining elements of all sort of great genres. Which we do get, on about 3 or 4 tunes. But the rest of this album is bloated, with most tunes coming off as leftovers from his last 2 albums, tracks that were left off for a reason. This isn't the definition of "Cool" as Justin has come to be the usher of, and this certainly isn't groundbreaking. But sadly, some of the more focused moments like "The Hard Stuff" and "Montana" show what this album could have been. This album may be worth a listen out of curiosity, but for me, I'll be sobbing in my closet with my copy of "FutureSex/LoveSound"
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