The 20/20 Experience

The 20/20 Experience
Name	The 20/20 Experience
Artist	Justin Timberlake
Released	March 15, 2013
Recorded	2012
Studio	Larrabee Studios (North Hollywood), Glenwood Place Studios (Burbank)
Genre	Neo soul, R&B, pop
Length	70:02
Label	RCA
Producer	Justin Timberlake, Timbaland, Jerome "J-Roc" Harmon
Prev title	FutureSex/LoveSounds
Prev year	2006
Next title	The 20/20 Experience – 2 of 2
Next year	2013

The 20/20 Experience is the third studio album by American singer-songwriter Justin Timberlake, released on March 15, 2013, by RCA Records. It marked his return to a solo music career after a seven-year hiatus, during which he focused on acting and other ventures. The album is primarily a collaboration with longtime producers Timbaland and Jerome "J-Roc" Harmon, blending extended neo soul and R&B tracks with intricate production. It was both a critical and commercial success, debuting at number one on the ''Billboard'' 200 and earning multiple Grammy Award nominations.

Background and development

Following the massive success of his 2006 album FutureSex/LoveSounds and its supporting FutureSex/LoveShow, Timberlake largely stepped away from music to pursue an acting career, starring in films like The Social Network and Friends with Benefits. His return to recording was secretly initiated in mid-2012 during sessions with Timbaland and J-Roc at Larrabee Studios in Los Angeles. The project was conceived as a complete artistic statement, with Timberlake citing influences from the album-oriented soul of the 1970s and artists like Marvin Gaye. The album's title was inspired by the concept of "perfect vision," aiming to present a clear and complete musical perspective. Its release was preceded by a surprise announcement during the 2013 Super Bowl and the debut of the lead single "Suit & Tie" featuring Jay-Z.

Music and production

Musically, the album is characterized by its ambitious, extended song structures, with most tracks exceeding seven minutes and incorporating multiple movements and suites. The sound is rooted in lush, live-instrumentation neo soul and R&B, heavily utilizing a 10-piece band called The Tennessee Kids for a warm, organic feel. Production by Timbaland and J-Roc incorporates intricate rhythms, orchestral flourishes from the The Benjamin Wright Orchestra, and layered vocal harmonies. Standout tracks include the funk-driven "Mirrors", the big band-infused "Suit & Tie", and the atmospheric "Pusher Love Girl", with lyrical themes exploring romance, commitment, and nostalgia. The recording took place primarily at Larrabee Studios and Glenwood Place Studios in Burbank.

Critical reception

Upon release, The 20/20 Experience received widespread acclaim from music critics. Publications like Rolling Stone and The Guardian praised its sophisticated production, Timberlake's vocal performance, and its ambitious scope, often comparing it favorably to the work of Prince and Michael Jackson. It earned a score of 76 out of 100 on aggregate site Metacritic, indicating "generally favorable reviews". Some criticism was directed at the extended track lengths and a perceived lack of immediate pop hooks. The album earned Timberlake three Grammy Award nominations at the 56th Annual Grammy Awards, including Best Pop Vocal Album, while "Mirrors" was nominated for Record of the Year.

Commercial performance

The album was a massive commercial success, debuting at number one on the U.S. ''Billboard'' 200 with sales of 968,000 copies, the largest first-week sales of 2013 and Timberlake's best sales week ever. It also topped the charts in numerous other countries including the UK Albums Chart, Canadian Albums Chart, and Australian ARIA Chart. The lead single "Suit & Tie" peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100, while the second single "Mirrors" reached number two. By the end of 2013, it was the second best-selling album of the year in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan, and has since been certified triple Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America.

Track listing

All tracks were produced by Timbaland, Justin Timberlake, and Jerome "J-Roc" Harmon. # "Pusher Love Girl" – 8:02 # "Suit & Tie" (featuring Jay-Z) – 5:26 # "Don't Hold the Wall" – 7:10 # "Strawberry Bubblegum" – 8:00 # "Tunnel Vision" – 6:46 # "Spaceship Coupe" – 7:17 # "That Girl" – 4:47 # "Let the Groove Get In" – 7:11 # "Mirrors" – 8:05 # "Blue Ocean Floor" – 7:19

Personnel

* Justin Timberlake – lead and backing vocals, songwriting, production * Timbaland – production, drum programming, songwriting * Jerome "J-Roc" Harmon – production, keyboards, songwriting * The Tennessee Kids – band * The Benjamin Wright Orchestra – strings and horn arrangements * James Fauntleroy – songwriting, backing vocals * Jay-Z – featured vocals on "Suit & Tie" * Tom Coyne – mastering at Sterling Sound * Rob Knox – A&R

Category:2013 albums Category:Justin Timberlake albums Category:RCA Records albums