FutureSex/LoveSounds - Justin Timberlake > Reviews > Timberlake Sex Sounds

Author's product rating:   

Originality	Definitely a cut above the rest
Lyrics	Thought-provoking
Quality and consistency of tracks	A couple of weak links
How does it compare to the artist's other releases	Outstanding
Value for Money	Good

Advantages:	Funky, upbeat, and entertaining album well worth a listen
Disadvantages:	Length of the interludes

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

Memphis born Justin Timberlake was in the public eye from an early age, joining The Mickey Mouse Club in 1993 as a 'Mouseketeer' at the tender age of 12. The Mickey Mouse Club would be the starting point for several other future pop stars also, these being Christina Aguilera, Britney Spears, and Justin's future N*SYNC band member JC Chasez. When the show ended in 1995, Justin would go on to join the aforementioned N*SYNC where he would remaim until 2002, leaving the band to concentrate on starting out a solo career for himself. Although N*SYNC are officially on an extended hiatus, it would be wrong to say that the band will not be back as some will suggest, given that they have only released 3 of their 5 album contract quota. The first solo album Justin released was 'Justified' in 2002, an album that went on to sell over seven million copies worldwide. It was thus a four year wait before this very album came about, and 'FutureSex/LoveSounds' was definitely worth the wait.

Kicking off with title track 'FutureSex/LoveSound' - the album starts as it means to go on; a great track with a chilled out vibe and incredible chorus. This one will have you singing along in no time, opening the album in style and leaving you excited about the sound the rest of the album will bring about. From here, we move on to the album's first single 'Sexy Back' and once again the album does not disappoint. It is 'Sexy Back' that first attracted me to the album - although at first I wasn't too sure about it, I soon found myself singing it when I least expected it. If you're not careful, this one could easily get stuck in your head for months with its intensely catchy beat, slick vocal styling, and awesome electro edge. It is no surprise then that 'Sexy Back' hit the number one spot in the U.S, the UK, Canada, Australia, Germany and in fact the United World Chart; a true powerhouse of a single that will no doubt be played by many the world over for years to come.

The third track on the album is 'Sexy Ladies - Let Me Talk To You', an impressive track which Justin moves coolly through with great flair. Although not the most intelligently written track you'll ever come across, it does make for a good listen and progresses the album nicely. With 'My Love', the albums third single there is great strength and it is clear as day as to why it was chosen to be a single. Intensely catchy and highly memorable, 'My love' was always destined to be a hit. This one is smoothly written, with a strong beat and a pulsing electronic sound which goes down a treat. Featuring rapper T.I, 'My Love' presses all the right buttons for me, and is a fine collaboration with rap parts of great strength, and the killer Justin Timberlake falsetto to boot.

'LoveStoned /I Think She Knows' is probably my favourite of all the tracks on the album. There's just something about this one that really appeals to me, and for me make it stand out as one of the highlights of the album. Highly catchy as ever and with a great vocal sound, Justin blasts his way through this one with incredible style. For me it is the soft side of this track coming in at 5 minutes which makes the track. After the track has slowed and you think it is coming to a close, Justin pipes up once more with a softly sung final surge. This for me works incredibly well and rounds off a near on perfect track with remarkable style, polishing off nicely for me the album's crowning glory.

Following on from 'LoveStoned /I Think She Knows' is 'What Goes Around-Comes Around', a powerful track with an intense beat, great rhythm, and highly memorable chorus. The thing I love about this track is the fact that it breaks with expectation, and rather than sounding typically Justin Timberlake, it is more akin to the sound of N*SYNC. It is clear that his past status in the boy band has come to the forefront in this one and to a great effect. It is an interesting progression therefore that the next track on the album should be heavily Hip-Hop influenced 'Chop Me Up'. This little number features Timbaland, and if you didn't happen to be listening to the latest Justin Timberlake album you'd have serious problems accepting that this was in fact a song of his. Although the track would probably be a lot more at home on the track listing of Timbaland's latest than Timberlake's, the track works extremely well and Timbaland's rap style featuring heavily throughout the track works terrifically alongside the vocals of Justin.

'Damn Girl' is perhaps the weakest link on the album, an extremely repetitive track which although has its moments, is predominantly a messy track lacking the quality the rest of the album has been so blessed with. This collaboration with Black Eyed Peas will.i.am has clearly not worked in the way in which had been pictured, and the album would definitely have benefitted had this track not been included.

Luckily 'Damn Girl' was only a temporary blip as next up is 'Summer Love/Set The Mood', a track that in my opinion has a great feel about it. This track is strong, possessing a powerful drumbeat, slick synth sound, and typically smooth vocals. The track lives up to its name, and is most certainly a summer anthem. 'Until The End Of Time' is up next and although it takes a while to get going, when it does finally do so it turns out to be a decent track and although not one of my favourites is still a competent offering.

'Losing My Way' is the beginning of the end for me; it is here that I feel the album begins to draw to a close. With a chilled out vibe and reasonably slow pace, the mood of the album can definitely be seen to have changed for this track. The end is in sight, but the quality does not deteriorate - track quality is still strong and Timberlake's soft vocals make for an extremely pleasant listening experience. Towards the end of the track, a choir accompaniment is introduced and although this may sound a little out there it really does work. The choir vocals running alongside those of Justin Timberlake for me is a master stroke, with the choir element of the track definitely finishing things off nicely. Continuing the close of the album is '(Another Song) All Over Again', another slow paced track with a relaxed edge and chilled out vibe. This time the track has a piano accompaniment, winding the album down further and really closing the album with style.

The album draws to its final close with 'Pose' featuring Snoop Dogg; a strong track showcasing a fine collaboration which has come off extremely well. 'Pose' has a relatively slow pace and winds the album down nicely, with a clear air of finality about the track signalling that this is where the album is to be brought to a close. The dual vocal of Snoop Dogg and Justin Timberlake works perfectly and the album is lead to a close in impeccable style.

One qualm I have with this album is the 'Interlude' tagged on to a number of the tracks. Serving as an introduction in to the next track on the album, these 'Interlude' and 'Prelude's that have been implemented could have been a nice little touch for the continuity of the album, however are far too long in length and after a while just become irritating. If these interludes were shortened, then there is no doubt in my mind that they would actually add depth to the album, however in their current length they have ultimately detracted from the quality of the album as a whole. In order to make for a satisfying listening experience at times you feel the need to skip past the irritating interludes where present.

As a whole, 'FutureSex/LoveSounds' is an incredible album, and one moment of weakness aside is a flawless display of the excellence of Justin Timberlake and the talent he possesses. Having already played this album half to death, there is to be no doubt as to whether or not I will continue to do so. 'FutureSex/LoveSounds' is sure to remain a favourite of mine throughout 2007, and will surely continue to be so as we head into 2008. Having collaborated with the likes of Timbaland and 50 Cent this year as well as having released several of his own solo singles alike, Justin Timberlake has been a regular fixture in the UK Top 40 and all I can say of the matter is that the man thoroughly deserves it. I just hope it won't be another four years before the man surfaces again with another solo album.