FutureSex / LoveSounds
by Justin Timberlake
  • Record Label: Jive
  • Release Date: Sep 12, 2006
User Score
8.2

Universal acclaim- based on 501 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 417 out of 501
  2. Mixed: 22 out of 501
  3. Negative: 62 out of 501

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  1. JasonS
    Oct 17, 2006
    7
    The first half of this album is brilliant. The second half is terrible. At forty minutes this album could have been a "10." But JT's need to fill the disc means we have to endure the cloying banality of songs like "Losing My Way."
  2. Alex
    Sep 11, 2006
    7
    From listening to Justin's recent interviews, one might gather that this album will be a musical revolution. However, the tuth is - It really isn't. It's more of the same - slick production, hot beats and mediocre lyrics. It's not an album which will likely stand the test of time, but it is still an entertaining listen. The high points of the album exist only to make From listening to Justin's recent interviews, one might gather that this album will be a musical revolution. However, the tuth is - It really isn't. It's more of the same - slick production, hot beats and mediocre lyrics. It's not an album which will likely stand the test of time, but it is still an entertaining listen. The high points of the album exist only to make the lower points seem worse. The first 6 songs are top notch, but the album seems to suffer towards the end. it's as if timberland got bored and decided to wrap things up 3 songs too early.… Expand
  3. mikes.
    Sep 12, 2006
    7
    I am biased because I actually hate Justin Timberlake's personality and find him to be immature. That being said, this album surprised me. The production is absolutely excellent, although Timbaland overproduces artist; Justin benefits from this because its less creative input from him and more from the producer. This is the best Justin Timberlake album and it is probably the best I am biased because I actually hate Justin Timberlake's personality and find him to be immature. That being said, this album surprised me. The production is absolutely excellent, although Timbaland overproduces artist; Justin benefits from this because its less creative input from him and more from the producer. This is the best Justin Timberlake album and it is probably the best he'll ever do. AMG underrated this album and it is only slightly less impressive than the excellent Nelly Furtado collaboration with Timbaland. Timberlake gets points off for the pointless interludes that demonstrate he is just trying to hard. At first listen, the album absolutely shimmers with ear candy. With repeated listenings the production still stands up on its own merits and Justin gives an inspiring performance.… Expand
  4. TyeN.
    Sep 14, 2006
    7
    Surprisingly, the album isn't half bad. It's actually about a quarter bad, though... i just can't look past his cheesy lyrics, and his off-putting voice. However, when you almost forget about him and just take in the mostly amazing production, you'll find something worth listening to. Since I'm not reviewing this album to bash on Timberlake, I will say that there Surprisingly, the album isn't half bad. It's actually about a quarter bad, though... i just can't look past his cheesy lyrics, and his off-putting voice. However, when you almost forget about him and just take in the mostly amazing production, you'll find something worth listening to. Since I'm not reviewing this album to bash on Timberlake, I will say that there are some songs that perfectly reflect his voice and the production. Those songs are "Sexyback", "My Love", "Love Stoned", and "What Goes Around Comes Around". My other choice tracks are "Damn Girl", and "Futuer Sex/ Love Sound" which to me sounds like Timbrlake's version of "Promiscuous" by Nelly Furtado (perhaps because both were produced by Timbaland). As far as production goes, this is another victory for Timbaland and his partner Nate "Danja" Hills. Fresh off of Nelly Furtado's awesome "Loose" album, they are the production team of the year. This abum is definitely worth listening to.… Expand
  5. BorisF
    Sep 24, 2006
    7
    He's Back and he's sexy and this album defantley lets you know. Though i think itsw a bit over-rated it is defantley a triumph and a push in the right direction showing how comfortable he is in not only pop music but also r&b hip hop and dance
  6. Mab_987
    Apr 9, 2013
    7
    I get the appeal to people outside of the general "pop audience", but I wouldn't consider it the revolutionary pop masterwork some claim it is. There are certainly a few great tracks (particularly What Goes Around Comes Around, the title track, My Love & Until the End of Time), and the production & vocals for the most part are solid all the way through, but the main problem for me is theI get the appeal to people outside of the general "pop audience", but I wouldn't consider it the revolutionary pop masterwork some claim it is. There are certainly a few great tracks (particularly What Goes Around Comes Around, the title track, My Love & Until the End of Time), and the production & vocals for the most part are solid all the way through, but the main problem for me is the lyrics. Maybe I just have a bias when it comes to sex-based lyrics but I just felt kinda uncomfortable listening to some of the lines on these songs. The whole thing just has a somewhat dated & cheesy mid-00s sound to it, back when slow jams & smooth sex songs were a pop mainstay. Plus the songs tended to drag out sometimes, and there's a few tracks I would've gotten rid of entirely (namely Damn Girl, Chop Me Up & Sexy Ladies) to make for a more concise listen. There are some albums that can get away with being over an hour long. This is not one of them. Still, despite these gripes, the songwriting (melodically & instrumentally) succeeds most of the time, and you can definitely tell there was more effort & ambition put into this than the average pop album at the time. And Timberlake is definitely one of the more talented mainstream pop artists of the last decade or so. My favorite song on the album is either the masterfully crafted pop ballad What Goes Around Comes Around or the gospel-tinged Losing My Way, which detours from other subject matter here to paint a vivid picture of a man going through self-destroying drug addictions & is an overall fantastic listen. FutureSex/LoveSounds is a shaky mixed-bag of an album but a pretty enjoyable one nonetheless. As for The 20/20 Experience I have a feeling, judging from what I've heard, that I'll enjoy it a lot more than this one. 72/100… Expand
  7. TBadlands
    Oct 11, 2006
    6
    I'm an indie brat that loves JT, but this record is kind of an overindulgent mess...maybe I just need a few more listens, but it really sounds like JT did EVERYTHING in his power to run away from "justified"...no need. Artists can grow without a sea change on every new LP. I think JT needed to get this record out of system, but it's far too unfocused to rival Justified, a I'm an indie brat that loves JT, but this record is kind of an overindulgent mess...maybe I just need a few more listens, but it really sounds like JT did EVERYTHING in his power to run away from "justified"...no need. Artists can grow without a sea change on every new LP. I think JT needed to get this record out of system, but it's far too unfocused to rival Justified, a peerless modern classic. This record is far from a "sophmore slump", but it's nowhere near the masterpiece of future funk he thinks it is. Many of the tracks go nowhere, at least 80% of this record is filler. Worse, the beats are boring, the songs are mostly hookless exercises, JT's new "sexy" attitude sounds contrived. Shame, really, we love him for who he is...a former Mickey Mouse Club/Boy Band showbiz kid who proved with "Justified" that he was one hell of a talented singer/songwritwer despite it all. I hope JT goes back into the studio and remembers to use his talent, as opposed to running away from it. Maybe LP number 3 is the masterpiece we expected here. As it stands, this record is an interesting curiosity, but ultimately dissapointing.… Expand
  8. Roe
    Oct 21, 2006
    6
    It's okay. . I like it better than Justified anyway, i can sort of see what the hype was about now
  9. LuisG
    Sep 16, 2006
    6
    just when you thought it was safe to call him the new king of pop he goes a gets all warped out into his worst enemy someone hes not... Justified was ideal ... but this new album is all over the place ... beats that resonate nothing but bouncing heads and shock and dismay .. as if he were afraid or ashamed of his own voice he hides between every song and emerges only in a few... pleanty just when you thought it was safe to call him the new king of pop he goes a gets all warped out into his worst enemy someone hes not... Justified was ideal ... but this new album is all over the place ... beats that resonate nothing but bouncing heads and shock and dismay .. as if he were afraid or ashamed of his own voice he hides between every song and emerges only in a few... pleanty will buy and this album will not withtand time ... other new release JOHN MAYER continnuum offers a better dossage or reality and less trying to be someone your not... poor justin i really liked him !!… Expand
  10. JeffA
    Sep 15, 2006
    5
    While the previous release from JT was a suprisingly fresh compilation of catching songs, this release is very disappointing with most of the tracks sub-par and only a few truly catchy songs. Very average.
  11. RockoS
    Sep 11, 2006
    5
    Music lesson #1: If you're going to imitate Prince, then you have to go all the way and do it right. If not, then it's best to stay in the arena where you are most comfortable. Justin Timberlake should've learned this lesson before the stepped in the ring. Because, now he's released an album that shall be forever compared to Prince's "Dirty Mind". And the latter Music lesson #1: If you're going to imitate Prince, then you have to go all the way and do it right. If not, then it's best to stay in the arena where you are most comfortable. Justin Timberlake should've learned this lesson before the stepped in the ring. Because, now he's released an album that shall be forever compared to Prince's "Dirty Mind". And the latter rips "Futersex/Lovesounds" to shred. I suppose I have to give Timberlake some credit for daring to be a bit different than what most pop stars are doing these days. But, that's about all it deserves. This album is neither futuristic, nor sexy.… Expand
  12. idontknowher
    Dec 21, 2016
    5
    El sonido del álbum es muy bailable, es bueno a comparación de sus predecesores "The 20/20 Experience". Pero a la mitad del disco, pierde el encanto y se vuelve aburrido. Además de que las canciones también están bastante largas y las letras son muy vulgares y no quedan con el ritmo de cada canción.
  13. SmackDaddy
    Oct 9, 2006
    4
    Timberlake needs to leave Prince alone. Timbo...wow he's really fallin off. This isn't real music...its contrived, board room created, white boy with no style, photocopied, soulless 'music.' Andre 3000 is the closest thing we've had to what JT is trying to do...go on white boy...go on.
  14. JohnH
    Oct 5, 2006
    4
    Sure "Sexy Back" is cathcy and danceable, but did anyone else notice the arrays of bad beats and loops samples from the majority of other songs, many taken off of Fruity Loops...? Blame Timbaland or whoever did the electronic parts of the album for poor quality samples and cheap and easy loops...
  15. JG
    Sep 17, 2006
    4
    If you think this album is intriguing, then you don't know anything about music.
  16. CynthiaP
    Sep 13, 2006
    2
    The album is a huge disappointment. I tried to give it a chance with multiple listenings. But the album is way too overproduced and self-conscious. Justin's vocals don't sound very impressive. Almost like he has lost his voice. My Love and Until the End of Time are the only noteworthy songs on the whole album. The album seems to drag and the lyrics are pretty generic. This album The album is a huge disappointment. I tried to give it a chance with multiple listenings. But the album is way too overproduced and self-conscious. Justin's vocals don't sound very impressive. Almost like he has lost his voice. My Love and Until the End of Time are the only noteworthy songs on the whole album. The album seems to drag and the lyrics are pretty generic. This album tried to be special, but it failed under its own weight.… Expand
  17. williamo
    Sep 13, 2006
    2
    this is a cheap r'n'b album! ....really really bad....
  18. MattD.
    Sep 14, 2006
    2
    There is nothing sexy about this album. Come-ons sound even worse next to bad funk and drippy ballads.
  19. Gman
    Sep 14, 2006
    2
    OK so the Timbaland production is moderately interesting but no matter how much you polish it, a turd is still a turd. No depth, naff lyrics and Timberlake's lack of anything resembling sexiness (I'm Bringing Sexy Back?? -Yeah right Justin!) make this just as atrocious as Justified was. Listen critics, there are some great 'pop' albums around at the moment (Junior Boys OK so the Timbaland production is moderately interesting but no matter how much you polish it, a turd is still a turd. No depth, naff lyrics and Timberlake's lack of anything resembling sexiness (I'm Bringing Sexy Back?? -Yeah right Justin!) make this just as atrocious as Justified was. Listen critics, there are some great 'pop' albums around at the moment (Junior Boys and Dani Siciliano for example) so why pretend that that this (and the even more dire Girls Aloud) is anything more than utter rubbish. You're only making complete fools of yourselves.… Expand
  20. lisap
    Sep 15, 2006
    2
    Totally sucks rocks!! Nothing new here that I didn't hear the same of on the prior album, Justified. Just more sound effects!! Disappointing...
  21. Fiera
    Jan 17, 2007
    2
    I think this sucks. Its super cheesy - not sexy. I find the arrogance really un-sexy. Its still got that teen-age boy band feel to me. Maybe in 10 Years justin baby...
  22. jessicam
    Feb 13, 2007
    2
    We were told this was going to be the Thriller of 2006. What a dissappointment! Rather than come up with his own identity, JT moves on from ripping MJ off to ripping Prince off. This is an example of another cocky ex-boyband poser trying to convince the audience he is a sexy badass. A couple of decent tracks but JT comes off as fake and not sexy.
  23. Sach
    Feb 1, 2007
    1
    Mediocre pap wrapped in artistic pretention to convince his fanbase that they aren't shallow consumers. There's nothing wrong with the style he's attempting but the bland, sterile and lifeless exercises in nostalgia, utter lack of humanity and mechanical production kill the album. Creative shiny bull is still shiny bull. For a much better modern disco-funk concept album Mediocre pap wrapped in artistic pretention to convince his fanbase that they aren't shallow consumers. There's nothing wrong with the style he's attempting but the bland, sterile and lifeless exercises in nostalgia, utter lack of humanity and mechanical production kill the album. Creative shiny bull is still shiny bull. For a much better modern disco-funk concept album about love, check out Of Montreal's "Hissing Fauna, Are you the Destroyer". It's everything this album wants to be and it forgoes on the arrogant pretention of the talentless ex-boyband member trying to convince himself he has some worth beyond being a marketable face for Timbaland's record.… Expand
  24. VeronicaV
    Dec 18, 2006
    1
    What a piece of crap! How did this awful album get nominated for "album of the year" over bob Dylan's Modern Times???
  25. ElmerF
    Sep 14, 2006
    1
    More boy band crap...
  26. JillS
    Sep 12, 2006
    1
    sucked
  27. Sarah
    Nov 17, 2006
    1
    SO SO SO Overrated...music comes from the heart, not a computer. Maybe someone needs to tell Justin that. A 10 year old could have written SexyBacK. Idiot.
  28. EdiC
    Sep 15, 2006
    0
    sh**!
  29. S.J.Donovan
    Oct 10, 2006
    0
    Justin, the best thing you could do for pop is to die.
  30. SophieP
    Nov 9, 2006
    0
    I was very disappointed by this album. Justin's voice seems very weak, and the album is overproduced by Timbaland. It's not anything really catchy or memorable about this album.
  31. KyleS
    Apr 2, 2007
    0
    Absolutely wretched!!!! All I have in my head is that annoying "Yeah" every 5 seconds in Sexy Back.
  32. RafaelP
    Sep 12, 2006
    0
    Timberlake can not sing... Props to Timbaland...
  33. SabrinaT.
    Sep 21, 2006
    0
    One of the worst albums of the year. I'm so disappointed in Justin this time. What was he thinking with this album? The beats are repetitive and boring. His voice doesn't sound as good as it did on Justified. Maybe the next album will be better.
  34. ToddW
    Sep 21, 2006
    0
    I saw this no-talent the other night on an awards show (which is ironic in and of itself) and he was performing the "hit" (another ironic turn of phrase) from this dreck. It's comforting to know that 10-year-old girls are singing along to a song that advocates beating up women in the bedroom. It makes me wish even harder for a Social Apocalypse.
  35. chrisw
    Sep 30, 2006
    0
    Talentless money music. This puppet is being used to make money off teenage girls by using overproduced beats and wannabe black lyrics
  36. JamesW.
    Sep 13, 2006
    0
    I'm giving this album a zero because it's over-produced, badly song and bad written garbage. Two songs are decent on the whole album. The rest I can do without.
  37. JohnP.
    Sep 16, 2006
    0
    One of the worst albums I've ever heard. What was he thinking to go from Justified to this. The beats are too hard for him.
  38. time
    Dec 11, 2006
    0
    I freaken' hate him. He's like the female Will Smith. Watered down, generic and flakey. Is this supposed to be a step up from NSYNC? If he brought sexy back than I'd rather sexy retire now and go away til someone who's actually sexy brings it back.
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Awards & Rankings

17
#17 Most Discussed Album of 2006
15
#15 Most Shared Album of 2006

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
70

Generally favorable reviews - based on 25 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 25
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 25
  3. Negative: 0 out of 25
  1. Slant Magazine
    70
    It's a lot like Justified in that it's a solid collection of expertly produced pop songs whose flaws will be devoured by its almost guaranteed string of hits.
    Read full review
  2. Entertainment Weekly
    67
    The enjoyable, forgettable FutureSex/LoveSounds may be a just-okay Timberlake album, but it's a great Timbaland demo reel.
    Read full review
  3. The Guardian
    60
    By its closer... FutureSex/LoveSounds feels like an entirely different and far less interesting album than the one you started listening to.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »