Everything I Thought It Was

About

A lot happened in the six years between Justin Timberlake’s last studio album, 2018’s <i>Man of the Woods</i>, and <i>Everything I Thought It Was</i>. After a world-changing pandemic, the pop star appeared in film, hopped on numerous collaborations (Jung Kook, Coco Jone, and Jack Harlow among them), and reunited at long last with his fellow *NSYNC members for the <i>Trolls Band Together</i> soundtrack. With <i>Everything I Thought It Was</i>, Timberlake is back to creating for himself. “I think there are moments that are incredibly honest,” he tells Apple Music’s Zane Lowe. “But also, there’s a lot of fucking fun on this album.” As <i>Man of the Woods</i> was a tribute to Timberlake’s family and Tennessee root, <i>Everything I Thought It Was</i> is a homecoming in its own way. Opening track “Memphis” is a pensive reflection on his hometown and the pressures of doing it proud: “You’re the one that’s chosen to make it out/Gotta seize the moment, don’t let us down.” He revisits his boy-band days with yet another new *NSYNC team-up, “Paradise,” whose simple guitar melodies highlight the quintet’s harmonies in all their timeless splendor. With help from producers including Calvin Harris and longtime collaborators Timbaland and Danja, <i>Everything I Thought It Was</i> is Timberlake’s return to peak pop-R&B form and a credible sequel to his club-influenced 2006 LP <i>FutureSex/LoveSounds</i>. Beyond the breakup ballads (“Drown”) and syrupy seductions (“Play”), the album glides across the dance floor with hip-grinding electro-R&B (“What Lovers Do”), Afrobeats (“Liar” featuring Fireboy DML), and sweat-slicked disco groove, occasionally throwing curveballs with beat switches (“My Favorite Drug”) and delivering a modern-day “Rock Your Body” in “F****n’ Up the Disco.” .

via Apple Music

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