Back in March, Justin Timberlake teased being back in the studio with Pharrell for new music but we haven’t heard any news since then. Of course, JT has since then put out a smash, ‘Can’t Stop The Feeling’, the lead single of the Trolls film soundtrack. He also serves as the executive music producer for it.
But while he’s busy with film projects, Justin has been consistently recording new music with his core producer group, including Pharrell. In an interview with Variety, JT speaks on the direction of his new material.
“I wouldn’t say [my new material] is the antithesis of ‘20/20,’ but it does sound more singular,” he says. “If ‘20/20’ sounded like it literally surrounds your entire head, this stuff feels more like it just punches you between the eyes.”
“I think everyone I’m working with right now knows that I’m notorious for being like, ‘Yeah let’s work. I have no idea when I’ll put it out, though,’” he says. “I’ll put it out when it’s done — when it feels right.”
Variety also chatted with super producer Pharrell who also gave his own take on their recent work and revealed that they are about 6 solid songs in.
“Songwise, I think we’ve got a good solid six that are like, ‘Whoa, what was that? Play that again.’” He also notes that the sessions have been unusually personal and self-reflective. “I would pay Justin a huge compliment to say he’s just discovering who he is now.”
Pharrell explains: “For the biggest pop stars in the world, the place where they have the most trouble is honesty. It’s hard for them to know that the beauty of a record, the sweetest spot in the song, is where they show vulnerability. Because there’s a formulaic sort of vulnerability, like, ‘Baby, I can’t sleep without you …’ and that’s not really it. But if you’re able to really screenshot your own vulnerability, and frame it properly, and color-correct it, then it becomes something that every human can relate to. And I think Justin is in the place where he’s mastering that right now.”
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