Justin Timberlake
The 20/20 Experience 2 Of 2

Having returned from a long, exhausting absence from the Parnassus of the music biz, Justin Timberlake suddenly made an appearance in this bizarre 2013 with The 20/20 Experience, an album with all the trimmings, the essence of genuinely pure pop. Suit and tie, occasionally clean-shaven, a gentlemanly look during the gangster-chic period, the dear former Disney and NSync tenant has once again been accompanied by the trusty Timbaland, responsible for the successful and drastic wardrobe change for FutureSex/LoveSounds, as well as the creator of almost all his hits, from the sultry SexyBack to the poignant Mirrors, passing through Suit & Tie, My Love, Cry Me A River, What Goes Around...Comes Around and Lovestoned.

A few months after the first soul-oriented chapter, the ambitious project "20/20 Experience" doubles in volume number two (2 of 2) and with this transaction Justin’s style changes: the retro aristocratic gentleman gives way to the new Michael Jackson with a playful demeanor, unshaven, wild hops on the stage and, above all, a lot of funky R&B with a sexual-dance twist. No more chill-out ambient like Strawberry Bubblegum, no more tight and pocket handkerchief paired with soft boogie Motown-style similar to That Girl or Suit & Tie; instead, there’s room for the new "FutureSex...", peppered, lively, captivating, at times pleasantly aggressive and potentially explosive. So, back in 2 of 2 is the authentically "Timbalandian" Justin, the charmer of SexyBack, the "polite" and "gentle" friend of the classiest rappers, he who, perhaps, may hold for just the briefest moment, the scepter of the male Pop Master previously abandoned by the lamented King.

The launch of 2 of 2 is somewhat unfortunately entrusted to the first single Take Back The Night, a disco-funky gem clearly inspired by the golden days of Off The Wall which did not achieve the sparkling responses of Mirrors and Suit & Tie. However, the track takes a backseat when compared to the rich dance-retro formula of Gimme What I Don't Know (I Want) or with the magnum opus of the entire album, True Blood, a delightful (and long) synthpop pastiche characterized by strong oriental-like percussion and dark background strings. The list of excellences continues with Cabaret, a retro-lounge R&B mix comparable to some tracks by Janelle Monae for The Electric Lady, featuring rapper Drake, the "Arabic" flavored hip hop of Murder (with Jay-Z, already a featured artist in Suit & Tie), the curious country-rock'n'roll with a pop twist for Drink You Away, the corner of melancholy in Amnesia and the classic urban pop sound à la Timbaland of TKO. Less convincing are the ballads You Got It On and Not A Bad Thing, the latter boasting an extension of no less than 11 minutes.

Thus concludes, with a triumphant funky-dance and carefree joy, the 20/20 experience of Mr. Timberlake, finally on the mainstream carousel after countless film appearances and an Italian-made wedding with the beautiful Jessica Biel. Two volumes, a single pop compendium, currently the best of the current year. Let the royal banquet continue with the finest fare.

Justin Timberlake, The 20/20 Experience 2 of 2

Gimme What I Don't Know (I Want) - True Blood - Cabaret - TKO - Take Back The Night - Murder - Drink You Away - You Got It On - Amnesia - Only When I Walk Away - Not A Bad Thing.&