After taking a break from music to pursue acting for the last six years, Justin Timberlake is back! In recent years, Timberlake has proved to the world that he is quite the triple threat in the entertainment industry, but he falls a bit short when he returned on the music scene.

I have always been a huge fan of Justin’s work, don’t get me wrong. As a child, I undeniably attempted to memorize all of NSYNC’s choreography on several occasions. I guess you could say Justin was my first celebrity crush and that’s why his music will always hold a special place in my heart.

However, after waiting close to seven years for a new JT album, it saddens me to say that I love it, but I hate it. It’s possible that he just tried too hard on this one. The lyrics are catchy, the beats are amazing, Justin adds his classic flare in the mix, but something just does not feel right. Maybe it’s the fact that the shortest track on the album lasts five minutes, while two tip over the eight-minute mark.

At the same time, “The 20/20 Experience” is Timberlake’s masterpiece. It rigorously avoids every one of the overdone sonic cliches in which pop-R&B is currently stuck in. It’s a sound all his own. Clearly, Timberlake wants to become a legend and I think he’s on his way, but perhaps he should not try to produce songs surpassing the eight-minute mark if he wants radio play.

All in all, Timberlake put his heart and soul into this record and it shows. I will always remain a fan of his no matter how greatly his music evolves. He is a true artist that should not go unrecognized.