Timberlake to release “The 20/20 Experience: 2 of 2”

By HOPE RACINE

Justin Timberlake is gearing up to strike gold again with his Sept. 30 release of “The 20/20 Experience: 2 of 2.” Promoted as the companion piece to Timberlake’s March album “The 20/20 Experience,” “2 of 2” will be Timberlake’s fourth album, and his second released in 2013.
Timberlake already released two singles from the album: “Take Back the Night,” which was released in July, and “TKO,” which was released on Sept. 20.
Coming off a seven-year hiatus, “The 20/20 Experience” marked Timberlake’s return to music after the huge success of his last album, “FutureSex/LoveSounds.”
“The 20/20 Experience” featured two hit singles, “Mirrors” and “Suit & Tie,” featuring Jay Z. The music video for “Mirrors” went on to win the 2013 MTV Music Video Awards Video of the Year. The same night saw Timberlake win the Michael Jackson Vanguard Video Award, as well as a long anticipated ‘NSYNC reunion.
Timberlake, while never far from the public eye, came back with a tremendous splash. Every Tuesday in September, Timberlake appeared on “Late Night With Jimmy Fallon” for “Timberlake Tuesdays.”
Fans of Timberlake are excited for the dual album release, as it dispels fears that the triple threat singer, dancer and actor would be lost to the world of film.
After releasing several movies during his hiatus, some fans thought the singer would never make a return to pop music. Yet, the dual releases, paired with the upcoming global tour beginning at the end of October shows that Timberlake is back, at least for now.
“After being gone for seven years, I think the two-part album release is a strong comeback,” said junior international affairs major Ally Thames.
“I loved the first [album] and the anticipation of the second one just heightens the excitement.”
Some fans may wonder if two albums in one year is excessive, but some wonder if perhaps this is the future of music.
“Two albums aren’t starting to become so uncommon in America. In the past, Nelly released two albums in a year, and Green Day released three,” said junior political science major Samantha Litchford. “It’s how the process is slowly becoming. I think music will continue to head in that direction.”
With tremendous support for part one behind him, Timberlake fans are eagerly awaiting “2 of 2.”
The album, which has been streaming live on iTunes for the full week before its release, is not simply an addendum to its predecessor, but a perfectly matched companion.
While “The 20/20 Experience” is a smooth mix of classic R&B soul, pop and jazz, “2 of 2” hits harder.
“This is a new experience,” claims the promotional video released for “2 of 2.” The songs are punchier, exploring darker themes than Timberlake previously touched on. Typically a supplier of light, poppy tunes, Timberlake explores edgier themes on “2 of 2” without the smoothness of previous albums. Songs such as “Murder” feature Jay Z inexplicably rapping about Yoko Ono while Timberlake croons to synthesizers and a brass section, further distancing himself from the curly haired boy band member the world first met.
“Timberlake is Timberlake,” Litchford said.
“Anything he does, the people are going to love it whether they want to or not.