2013年発売 Justin Timberlake(ジャスティン・ティンバーレイク)前作から7年ぶりにリリースしたサード・アルバム『The 20/20 Experience』(ブラック・ヴァイナル)

Facebook創設を描いた映画『ソーシャル・ネットワーク』への出演など俳優業に力を入れていたジャスティン・ティンバーレイクが、わずか20日という短期間で作り上げ、前作から7年ぶりにリリースし、全米初登場1位&3週連続1位を獲得したサード・アルバム。引き続きティンバランドを起用しながらも、エレクトロ的でもあったフューチャリスティックな音像から、レトロ・テイストのサウンドにエッジを加えたようなクラッシーな装いのプロダクションへと変化。ジェイ・Zをフィーチャーした「スーツ・アンド・タイ」や、60年代のソウルを思わせる「プッシャー・ラヴ・ガール」「ザット・ガール」など、ソウルの深化が著しく、定評あるファルセットはさらに磨きが掛かる。ブルー・アイド・ソウル最良の一枚。

発売・販売元 提供資料 （2024/06/07）

Once Justin Timberlake finished touring in support of FutureSex/LoveSounds, music making slid to the side as acting, endorsing, investing, and talent grooming took precedence. The few appearances from 2007 through 2012 -- through collaborations with Madonna, Duran Duran, 50 Cent, Ciara, and new jack ballad mode Lonely Island, often in partnership with Timbaland -- confirmed that the cutting edge was not his concern. Aligning with the Neptunes in 2002 and with Timbaland in 2006 were not bold creative risks either, but working with Timbaland once more makes it plain that Timberlake wanted to remain within his comfort zone. Along with co-producer Jerome "J-Roc" Harmon and fellow songwriter James Fauntleroy, the Tims have made a refined and distended follow-up to FutureSex/LoveSounds. Seventy minutes in duration, it's only four minutes longer but contains two fewer songs. Opener "Pusher Love Girl" sets the tone for the program; the first three of its eight minutes would make for an elegant sweet-soul introduction. "Strawberry Bubblegum" recalls a time when groups like the S.O.S. Band and 52nd Street released extended mixes of club ballads, though the bottom isn't as thick, and it comes with three bonus minutes of Sly Stone-style rhythm box that facilitates more metaphorical macking. "Let the Groove Get In," something like a modernized hybrid of Michael Jackson's "Wanna Be Starting Something" and Lionel Richie's "All Night Long," is undeniably festive. The relatively raw soul throwback "That Girl" adds a slight Southern touch and does not wander. "Suit & Tie," a lighthearted and goofily dashing throwback, serves the same flirty dancefloor purpose as "Rock Your Body," drawing from early- to mid-'70s soul instead of late-'70s disco-funk. Timberlake referred to the song, the lead single, as "just the wink." It's far from the only one here -- a pleasant and grown-up release from a charismatic entertainer. ~ Andy Kellman

Rovi