Don't talk to me about the Justin Timberlake backlash, I'm the guy who trashed "Suit And Tie" as Robin Thicke wannabe and "Mirrors" as way way way too long. Plus, he is overexposed and something I've never really felt about Timberlake who has been more than careful with his public image hangs over him: the smell of arrogance. Worse, not really deserved arrogance.
But "Pusher Love Girl" is such a great full fledged multi-faceted dance rock ballad love rocker song, it reminds me of not prime Stevie Wonder but mid-1990s of "Tomorrow Robins Will Sing", and from the orchestra maneuvering opening to Justin's gorgeous falsetto on the chorus it is a great song. As good as "What Goes Round"? Hmmmm, maybe, yeah. Not as great as "Senorita" but it is ambitious and smart. Best lyric on the album as well, sex is still the drug we're thinking of.
"Pusher Love Girl" does its job as the lead off batter. It gets you on base, and "Suit & Tie" , which with its jerky rhythm couldn't sustain its position as the lead off single, slips in nicely as an early album track. It improves in the 2 position with all the pressure taken off it. Steady as she goes, Timberland brings out the heavy guns on his first major production works. Shimmering drums and sonic sound effects, crickets on the just fine and funky "Don't Hold The Wall" -can't wait for the remix on this one, if anything they underplay the beats.
The great thing about this consistently entertaining album is how it is forward and backward looking at the same time. The song are first and foremost modern pop but they are also long soundscapes, they are ambitious but only within the confines of their chilling esthetics. "Strawberry Bubblegum" may well be as silly a metaphor for cunnilingus as you will ever hear but the song is a jazzy clip clop light on its feet track. It is silly but isn't killed by its silliness.
Over and over again, Land and Lake fuck about with the strong structure, they segue between beats and between ideas, it's like if you are bored with one attempt at the track here is another, or even as though they have written their own remixes in the middle of the song. "Let The Groove In" might have escaped off JT but not really. It sounds both tinnier and weirder, less catchy but more dance worthy.
It is capped by "Blue Ocean Floor" which sounds like Frank Ocean meets Eric Benet on light tranquilizers and weaker hallucinogenic. In other words, it isn't necessary but as long as it is there?
I agree, Justin has become a little smug in his old age and I agree this isn't the equal of JT o Future Sex/Love Sounds but what really is? Lyrically it could be better but if you are coming here for deeper meaning you're an idiot. Backlash or no backlash, this is a mighty fine album. It works. The backlash stops here.
Grade: B+