Following suit (and tie — I couldn’t resist) with this year’s earlier release, Justin Timberlake’s “The 20/20 Experience — 2 of 2” is just that — a split-sided LP that’s half dark, pulsating club beats and half smooth, sweet tracks. But words don’t really do the duality justice — only a thorough listen will truly give you the full “experience.”
The album immediately kicks in with the gritty, nasty “Gimme What I Don’t Know (I Want).” This track basically sets the tone for the entire first half of the record with the beat down low and a super-sexy sound.
As an added bonus, JT’s lower register cascades over the chorus with a somewhat mystical-sounding background.
The song segues into “True Blood” (anyone else betting the HBO show of the same title takes notice for next season?), with producer/collaborator Timbaland’s deep voice booming next to Timberlake’s chest-based rumble.
Already, the dance vibe on this album is so club-friendly you can just imagine the low lights and tight spaces.
Although there aren’t a lot of guest appearances on the record, Drake shows up on the lively “Cabaret,” and Jay-Z returns for his second round on “Murder.” But there really isn’t need for a ton of collaborators.
Tracks like “TKO” (comparable in some aspects to Part 1’s “Tunnel Vision”) are elaborate enough without any additional voices.
Not including current single (’70s pop-sounding “Take Back the Night”), the album moves into softer territory with the guitar-oriented “Drink You Away” and slinky “You Got It On.”
Again, like Part 1’s latter half, “Amnesia” has an epic essence about it a la “Mirrors.”
The darker “Only When I Walk Away” transitions nicely into the last song, the slow ballad “Not a Bad Thing.”
For some, the slightly twangy sound might sound a bit country at some points.
That’s the cool thing about Justin Timberlake — he can go from dance tracks to a mellow, guitar-picking love song, and still make them all sound inherently great.
The album is a mix of genres, but it is not mixed enough to be completely incoherent. “The 20/20 Experience — 2 of 2” is a further affirmation that 2013 (and, for many, contemporary music) is truly in Timberlake’s court.
A version of this story ran on page 10 on 10/3/2013 under the headline "‘The 20/20 Experience — 2 of 2’ dark and sweet"
This CD cover image released by RCA Records shows “The 20/20 Experience — 2 of 2,” by Justin Timberlake, which was officially released Monday.
