I’ve been here for Justin Timberlake as a solo artist from day one, let’s be clear. I’ve always been a fan (though I can’t help but wonder if JC Chasez was to have REALLY gotten a chance to be a solo artist, who’d be the better artist musically) and was excited just like everyone else when he announced that he’d be doing a new album.

With baited breath, we all watched the teaser video he did, and then once “Suit & Tie” dropped, we all exhaled.

For me, that exhale was more of a gasp because I don’t LOVE this record. It’s decent. It’s nice. In the context of the rest of the album, it will probably make a LOT more sense. But as a single, it has NOT wowed me at all. I remember when “Sexyback” or “Cry Me A River” dropped, I was instantly drawn in and invested in Justin’s latest pop opus that was sure to follow. “Suit & Tie” gives me chopped & screwed Justin (which leads me to think, the track preceeding it on the album is one of a similar tempo to the chopped & screwed beginning of “Suit & Tie), then transitions into a smooth, easy breezy track, with a mostly superfluos rap from Jay-Z.

It’s a nice sentiment and ultimately, it’s not a terrible song at all. I’ve yet to purposefully really spin this track, however.

The video continues along with the cool, grown man, Rat Pack-esque factor that Justin seems to be pushing with this track and even the Grammy performance. It’s a decent outing visually — a little dancing, smoky rooms, sipping the finest dark liquors — things “grown” men do. Justin’s married now. Jay-Z is the elder statesman of Hip-Hop. It makes sense. But why does it have to be SO boring?

That’s what I walk away from this song and now video wondering. I was hoping one would change the other, but I’m going to just go ahead and wait for the Gospelfied soul that is “Pusher Love Girl” and wait for the album to drop in March.

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