Justin Timberlake makes his triumphant return with “Everything I Thought It Was.”
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TOP 5
5. No Angels
Going to clubs without angels is the best.
In “No Angels,” Justin Timberlake makes it clear that he’s found the perfect person to spend the night with. This person seems to have a sexy attitude, great hips, and could possibly be an angel from Sunday to Thursday. I personally believe the song sounds like a generic R&B/disco track; however, it’s Justin Timberlake’s charm and hypnotizing vocals that I think takes the song to another level. I also believe the chorus is great and the beat switch at the end is fire.
4. Technicolor
While “Technicolor” is lengthy at 7:17, it’s worth noting that Justin Timberlake has a history of releasing longer tracks, with three songs over seven minutes long on “FutureSex/LoveSounds.”
I’ve always felt that Justin Timberlake is underrated when it comes to slow jams. “Until The End Of Time” is one of my favorites from him, despite being the least streamed song from FutureSex/Love Sounds (Proving my point). That said, I’m not sure if “Technicolor” will get the recognition it deserves. But if you appreciate romantic lyrics sung passionately over slow-tempo or fast-tempo beats, you’ll love this song (BTW: That’s a trick question. Who the f**k doesn’t like a song like this?).
3. Flame
Lately, whenever I encounter the word “flame,” it’s often in the context of something that’s already burned out.
In “Flame,” Justin Timberlake faces his lover’s decision to leave when things got tough. He expresses his surprise and disappointment as their relationship unravels. This track embodies Timberlake’s signature style, with dynamic production, a catchy hook, and genuine passion shining through.
2. Drown
Justin Timberlake turns into prime Babe Ruth when he makes a song about confronting a chick.
“Drown” is absolutely incredible. It showcases Justin Timberlake’s most dynamic and impressive vocal performance yet, accompanied by dramatic, futuristic production. The lyrics are particularly striking, as Timberlake confronts someone he once loved who betrayed him. Overall, the song hits every mark perfectly and represents the exact style I hope to see Timberlake embrace indefinitely.
1. Selfish
I think this will end up being one of Justin Timberlake’s greatest tracks of all time.
In “Selfish,” Justin Timberlake openly acknowledges his desire to have his girl all to himself. Despite being in his 40s and married, it’s refreshing to hear him exude the excitement of a high schooler who just got his crush’s number.
This is the epitome of a heartwarming pop track. It contains both low-pitched and high-pitched singing, incorporates about three highly infectious melodies, and is supported by smooth production that will easily captivate you. Great work by Justin here.
SONG BY SONG BREAKDOWN
1. Memphis (4/5)
2. F**king Up The Disco (4/5)
3. No Angels (4/5)
4. Play (3.5/5)
5. Technicolor (5/5)
6. Drown (4.5/5)
7. Liar (Ft. Fireboy DML) (3.5/5)
8. Infinity Sex (4/5)
9. Love & War (4/5)
10. Sanctified (Ft. Tobi Nwigwe)(4/5)
11. My Favorite Drug (4/5)
12. Flame (4.5/5)
13. Imagination (3.5/5)
14. What Lovers Do (4/5)
15. Selfish (5/5)
16. STATUS (4/5)
17. HARLEY QUINN (4/5)
18. BANG BANG (4/5)
RGM RATING
(C+)
It’s frustrating to see Justin Timberlake’s talent overshadowed by personal controversies from his past. He’s undoubtedly a legendary pop singer who has significantly influenced the genre. Everything I Thought It Was feels like both a celebration of his career and an attempt to prove himself to the world, which I think is sad.
Justin Timberlake’s charm is undeniable, and it shines through brilliantly in this album. In Everything I Thought It Was, the Memphis native delves into themes of love with a heartwarming touch and crafts tracks reminiscent of the iconic “Cry Me A River.” Additionally, he seamlessly integrates Timbaland’s signature quirky beats into the mix, providing the album with excellent random moments.
There’s one thing about this album that didn’t quite sit right with me: It feels like there are too many tracks that sound generic. “Sanctified” gives off a vibe of generic edgy R&B, “No Angels” feels like a run-of-the-mill disco pop track, and “Liar” ventures into generic Afropop territory. I find myself missing the days when Justin Timberlake was setting trends rather than following them. Additionally, I noticed moments where Justin sounded a bit worn out, particularly in tracks like “My Favorite Drug,” where the energy didn’t quite match up to what I expected. And let’s talk about the length of the album—it’s excessive. Having 18 tracks is one thing, but when many of them stretch beyond the five-minute mark, it starts to feel like a bit much.
Justin Timberlake is still a very good artist. He still knows how to catch the attention of music fans and knows how to put together complete records. While this album feels like a deluxe edition of a past album (That’s not quite a compliment), I’m appreciative of the fact that we’re still getting albums from living legends.
Quincy is the creator of Ratings Game Music. He loves writing about music, taking long walks on beaches, and spaghetti that fights him back.
