Timberlake: I want to 'push the sound' of pop

Friday, July 7, 2006; Posted: 3:34 p.m. EDT (19:34 GMT)


PARIS, France (Reuters) -- U.S. singer and heartthrob Justin Timberlake wants to push the boundaries of pop music with a new album, "FutureSex/LoveSounds," which marks a departure from his earlier chart-topping style, he said Friday.

Timberlake's first solo album, "Justified," sold more than 7 million copies, and the 25-year-old, whose relationship with Hollywood actress Cameron Diaz is a regular feature in tabloid newspapers, has also moved into acting.

His new album is due to be released on September 11.

"I realize that I have a platform to push the sound of pop music. That's the only responsibility that I put on myself in recording the album," Timberlake told a news conference at the start of a promotional tour.

"If I'm not going to push it, then who's going to push it?"
The first single from the album, "SexyBack," features a pounding bass beat and electronic sounds, and does not include the falsetto singing that has become Timberlake's trademark. He said, however, that the album featured "a lot" of such singing.

"The best way I can describe that song is say David Bowie and David Byrne decided to do a cover of James Brown's 'Sex Machine,' " Timberlake told reporters.

Perhaps aware of media speculation that his relationship with Diaz was going through a "rough patch," journalists were instructed to ask Timberlake only about his music and acting.

He said the new sound was the product of a broad variety of influences, from soul legends Al Green and Marvin Gaye to bands such as The Beatles and The Eagles.

"I think it's important on your sophomore album to broaden your sound, to try something new, because if you do the same thing, then your third album has to be the same thing and your fourth album has to be the same thing and, you know, you don't grow," the former member of 1990s boy band 'N Sync said.

Timberlake wrote songs on the album with producer and rapper Timbaland, and the album features guest vocals by Timbaland, Atlanta rapper TI and Will.I.Am of the Black Eyed Peas.

While he wants to change pop music, he said he was not aiming to take over Michael Jackson's "King of Pop" mantle.

"I think that you guys definitely want a new king of pop, you definitely want one and I'm probably not the only one who you might be thinking of. I don't want it. I want to do what I do," he said.

Copyright 2006 Reuters. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

I saw the conference. He looked tired. It is always a bit hard to get a good story out of press-conference fodder. Most journalists there ask the most stupid questions.

Thanks for posting this, though. I think that pushing the boundaries is exactly what he does. He does not go with another Neptunes album, but experiments with something different than what his audience is used to.

Not unlike Prince used to do, when his music was still up to par.

He's right you know.

CinisterCee said:

You sipping the Justin sauce too?

His new single is hardly pushing the sound of pop music.... It's more like pushing the recognition of his own voice.

He ain't pushing no damn boundaries hooking up with Timbaland.

VoicesCarry said:

I agree that he's a pop star that would be given license to push a new sound on the masses.

Justin push boundaries?? How can someone push boundaries that has control over his own music anyway. Justin is a Product nothing else, not an artist. He sings his part and then the "producer" of the day slaps a beat on it, sorry but thats not an artist. I think he forgets the only reason he is even here is because of a "sound" a "wave" a trend that was started by the Hip producer of the day, and from that he has done NOTHING to show growth or how HE is an artist. Vocally he is good, but nothing special, and songwriting wise, nothing impressive. So when u hold a press conference and claim your new CD is like James Brown or The Eagles or The Beatles, how are U breaking a boundary?

lastdecember said:

I think you are breaking a chutzpah boundary. The newly-set chutzpah boundary will only be broken upon the next Madonna release.

meltwithu said:

Hypocritic!

Bowie and Byrne covering Brown. That's not a bad way to go.
One foot in the funk/hip-hop(in his case) and the other in the club.

To say they're the inspiration is ok, but he should be careful associating himself with the likes of them. Some of the quotes come off as cocky, he should watch that.

Other than this, it's a good direction.

I think most of you just reach for some reason to diss Justin, like at the end of the thread whoever gets a prize for slamming him the hardest. He gets to do what he wants for a living and loves his work, we all sit around TALKING about music, I'd rather have HIS job.

We know he can play guitar and piano fairly well. He has shown his skill on the piano at the Grammys after the Superbowl... granted it probably isn't the best but he does play.

After he some of concerts of his last tour he did club apperences and just played music and sang with no dancing. similar to the report of what he was doing in Europe earlier in the week.

We don't konw how much input the producers or Justin have on the album. I'm sure he more input than what some people give him credit for.

EverlastingNow said:

Damn. And therin lies the reality check
[Edited 7/10/06 0:51am]

Oh,please. People will take any chance to diss anyone making it big. I for sure can tell you that the one making the decisions is Justin Timberlake himself, but people just like riding out their prejudices.

It makes an interesting discussion, though. I love the people that stand up for him, liking his material or not.

And I looooove the people that go EWWW first, then come out (again) and admit they play the song back to back. PURRRRR

I wish I had the gift of being able to tell if someone's unfavorable opinion of JT is actually just an unbiased opinion or one filled with prejudices.
[Edited 7/10/06 2:55am]

PurpleCharm said:

It is a great gift. My opinion is based on the reactions here, just like yours is a reaction to mine.

Oh well, my post should have read "can't please 'm all" and for sure, no one can.

Wow, people ARE weird on here.

HamsterHuey said:

Oh, btw, my post should not be taken seriously. Logically.

And

I just heard "Sexy/back" This track is hot! damn I wish Janet had brought something like this for her album! whatever happened to that track mess of a track we were trying to like a few weeks back? anyway this track is going to be a hit, and if ur hating on it ur just pissed that Justin is bringing more heat than the oldies who "use" to do great dance/pop music.

p.s It kind of reminds me of Paula Abduls "Vibeology"

anon said:

Well, that's "Fame" isn't it?

HamsterHuey said:

i kinda like the new single. it's not too shabby



but ehm, not to diss or anything, but you do know that the only reason he
is not working with Pharell on the new album is because Pharell had a big
falling out with the execs of Justin's company? he would love to work with
JT but he doesn't want to do anything under that company anymore.

Lol, every young artist is starting to talk like Prince. which is not a
bad thing at all. finally they start thinking for themselves.

PurpleCharm said:

okay?

at this point, hooking up with hall & oates would be edgier.

I certainly don't think it's a bad song. Is he pushing his own boundaries? Maybe. Is he pushing the boundaries of mainstream pop music? No.

Whether or not he's actually 'pushing the sound of pop music' remains to be seen. But I think it's a great attitude to take. I'd certainly rather hear him say that than to assume the position of most folks of his ilk. Which is to do what is expected. What sells to the masses. What, ultimately, is predictable and boring.

IstenSzek said:

LoL

It's rocking MY world. lol

Maybe it helped I saw John Blackwell pump the drums during that song. The two kewlest beats of my musical spectrum were by John Blackwell; 3121, which is NOT going to be a hit, alas and this one...

violator said:

he's just being a big old poser. "look at me, i'm pushing the envelope and doing something risky". when really, no he isn't. it's the same "radical reinvention" song and dance pop stars have been doing since janet jackson came out with "control".

Anx said:

...and then there's always that possibility...