- Critic score
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- By date
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Jan 28, 2013Maynard doesn't quite put a personal stamp on catchy, generic tracks like "Animal" or "Can't Say No," or convince as a lothario. Still, the songs are good, and he can sing.
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Entertainment WeeklyJan 23, 2013The R&B upstart's debut is promising. [18 Jan 2013, p.77]
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Dec 5, 2012The downside is it's a couple of tracks too long--'Just In Case' being a slow jam too far--but a confident strut of a debut nonetheless.
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Dec 5, 2012More than anything, what impresses about Contrast is the quality of songs on offer.
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Dec 5, 2012This is a credible collection of electronic RnB tracks that owes a greater debt to another, more grown-up Justin.
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Dec 5, 2012Those who have been waiting for what seems like an eternity for Timberlake to return to the music scene could do worse than check out Contrast, which although rather front-loaded, is perhaps the most confident and mature teen pop debut of recent years.
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Q MagazineDec 5, 2012Maynard is clearly being primed to take on Bieber. Hence the ultra-pop, super-slick confections he layers his not altogether unpleasant (but not utterly spellbinding voice all over. [Sep 2012, p.105]
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Dec 5, 2012If you can't stand top-40 contemporary dance pop, don't bother (and consider not leaving your house for the next couple of years). Listen to Contrast with an open mind, though, and you hear a kid with real talent.
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Dec 5, 2012Most of the tracks here, with their wide-eyed appreciation of "beautiful girlies" would fit on a Bieber album. But you get the feeling he's striving for more.
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Dec 5, 2012His quest to bring sexy back to Britain founders amid gauche come-ons ("Your aura/ It's so shiny") and strained emoting.
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Dec 5, 2012This is pop by committee, with half-a-dozen writers' credits per song; some identikit urban pop cuts such as Another One ill suit a kid from Brighton.
User score distribution:
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Positive: 13 out of 29
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Mixed: 8 out of 29
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Negative: 8 out of 29
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Jan 28, 2013
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Apr 7, 2013