Justin Timberlake is officially back.
As promised, on Friday, Jan. 5, the singer-turned-actor released the music video for "Filthy," the first single out of his new album, Man of the Woods. The four-minute video directed by Mark Romanek establishes the 36-year-old as the Steve Jobs of music.
Romanek also worked with Timberlake on the music video for "Can't Stop The Feeling," the soundtrack for the animated movie, Trolls.
Innovating Himself
His album announcement that came earlier this week led many to believe that Timberlake will be reinventing himself and switching to a new genre in 2018. The video that announced his fifth solo album had a very earthy feel that looked more country than his signature R&B.
However, that is not the case.
"Filthy" still delivers the sound that people knew and loved from the musician (who has been around for more than a decade now). The first and the lead single from his new album, Man of the Woods, is as sexy, as catchy, and as energetic as ever.
In the video released this weekend, Timberlake posits himself as the new Steve Jobs, the cofounder of Apple. Wearing a black long-sleeved turtle-neck shirt (Jobs' signature style), Timberlake takes the stage at the Pan-Asian Deep Learning Conference in Malaysia in the year 2028 to present his dancing robot to an awestruck audience.
This is not the first time that the artist channeled a tech icon. In 2010, he played Sean Parker, the first president of Facebook, in the movie, The Social Network.
Featuring Jessica Biel
While his wife, Jessica Biel, did not appear on the music video, many suspect that the song, "Filthy," featured a collaboration between Timberlake and his wife. By the end of the track, one can hear a female voice saying "Look closer, through the trees" and fans believe that they hear the actress.
However, the The Sinner star was not credited on the song co-produced with Timbaland. Timberlake also has not confirmed if it was, indeed, his wife's voice that people are hearing on the track.
Fan Reaction
Timberlake fans have been waiting for the artist's return to music for years and it was received with delight and a little confusion. Because of the introduction for Man of the Woods, many expected something different.
Mfw I thought Justin Timberlake was putting out a country album and the intro track is robot pop from 2028 pic.twitter.com/SyEw4VD7be
— Joel (@NobodyEpic) January 5, 2018
Fortune for 1-5-18: May your day be less confusing than Justin Timberlake's new song.
— Ashly Perez (@itsashlyperez) January 5, 2018
Justin Timberlake always seems like he's starting over at a new high school.
— Josh Gondelman (@joshgondelman) January 5, 2018
The marketing for JT's new album, Man Of The Woods vs the actual music and visuals are not very cohesive and honestly, a little confusing. #Filthy #MyTwoCents pic.twitter.com/5KAIs9m856
— DaGreenRoom (@DaGreenRoom_) January 5, 2018
Timberlake is still set to release three new music videos for the rest of the month. Meanwhile, Man of the Woods is scheduled to be released on Feb. 2.
