"The 20/20 Experience" is just that, an experience. It's not a haphazardly-strung set of singles, it's a show. And it begins like any other. When the elaborate orchestra of opener "Pusher Love Girl" begins, the curtain has raised and you should settle into your seat. The strings are cut short by distorted thumps and handclaps. It's soul funk that makes you smile, but just when you think it's over, producer Timbaland, who is at the helm of the whole album, rudely (not really) interrupts and introduces himself with his trademark beatbox, of course.
The song's 8 minute-long timestamp is not an exception; on this album, it's the rule as every track tiptoes the same line.
On "That Girl," JT plays frontman to faux 60's soul band The Tennessee Kids and its members provide the guitar plucking and horn blowing. On "Strawberry Bubblegum," JT's perfected his falsetto over a rhythmic fluttering of bleeps and blips. "Tunnel Vision" is all oscillating keys and strings backed by Timbaland's tried-and-true scratched record impersonation ("fiki fiki"). And drums take over on "Let the Groove In," with its layered collection of Afro-Latin sounds and European strings. But the final highlight is radio-friendly second single "Mirrors." It kicks off with a soft rock guitar solo, but is really a string-heavy tribute to a soulmate, complete with crowd clapping: "Cause I don't wanna lose you now / I'm looking right at the other half of me… / Couldn't get any bigger / Without anyone else beside me." (Thanks for making commitment cool, JT.)
On "20/20," a more mature Timberlake proves he can spitshine an old-school sound up and make it as good as new.
