Snap, crackle, pop! This fall has already yeilded a dizzying number of new pop releases, let’s see how three of the biggest stack up.
The already huge new album from Justin Timberlake, FutureSex/LoveSounds, not only improves upon his solo debut, but far exceeds a slew of recent pop records that even smirking hipsters wouldn’t be ashamed to load on to their iPod. Much of the credit should go to producers will.i.am, Rick Rubin and Timbaland, whose work is featured on the lead single “SexyBack,” and who also helped Nelly Furtado land her huge summer billboard smash “Promiscuous.” Another standout is the powerful track “Losing My Way” while “Summer Love” and “Chop Me Up” make for great driving tunes. Perhaps JT’s biggest accomplishment on FutureSex/LoveSounds is keep us interested for over an hour.
Unable to make that same claim is Janet Jackson, who’s busy promoting her latest attempt at a post-Nipplegate career. 20Y.O., which refers to the numbers of years since the release her epic-length classic Control, thankfully clocks in at twenty minutes shorter. Suffering from a case of writer’s block (or maybe its “ghost writer’s block”?) Janet offers up a slew of tracks that are light, fluffy, and blandly devoid of any sort of consistent theme or topic, interspersed with her usual interludes, which refuse to say anything substantial. That being said, the lead single “So Excited,” which is much more catchy than the rest, along with other upbeat tracks “Show Me” and “Get It Out Me” will keep the party going, but are also likely to leave you craving for some classic Janet, which is much stronger in comparison. Slow jams “Take Care” and “Love 2 Love” are undeniably boring and serve as obvious filler on this already too-short offering. It’s also interesting to note as well that Janet sounds eerily like brother Michael on several tracks, which she even pointed out on a recent Oprah appearance. The aging Jackson then “performed” (read: “blatantly lip synched”) her new single and strugged to keep up with her back-up dancers. You’re better off pulling out a copy of Velvet Rope or Rhythm Nation from back in the day when she could still sing, and had something to say.
Not normally known for having a myriad of deep ideas to impart on her equally cerebrally subdued audience, Black Eyed Peas singer Fergie has unleashed her first solo album, The Duchess with surprisingly successful results. Haters of BEP’s “My Humps” beware: The Duchess features plently of ridiculous, yet catchy lyrics that remain inescapably stuck in your head for days on end. But, considering her shameless intent to please her fun-loving followers, is this really such a crime? Arguing that a pop album is too catchy is like complaining that an Icelandic death metal outfit is too loud and creepy. Fergie’s producers harness a metric ton of samples on this record, but almost all are used tactfully, and work well in creating a diverse and dynamic sound. The track “Clumsy” is just as addictive as first single “London Bridge,” as are “Mary Jane Shoes” and “Glamorous.” Flowing perfectly, Fergie’s debut is likely to provide single after single for the coming year, so be prepared-this diva turned dutchess is going to rule the pop airwaves whether you like it or not.
The best bang for your pop buck: Justin Timberlake’s FutureSex/LoveSounds
