Following the
Trolls soundtrack hit "Can't Stop the Feeling!" -- which showed again that he's best at carefree post-disco pop --
Justin Timberlake made his fifth full-length, inspired by his Southern roots but recorded primarily in Los Angeles.
Man of the Woods resembles the soundtrack to a late-evening variety program that moves across departments of a high-end outdoor recreation outfitter.
Timberlake brought some special guests and made it a family affair with appearances from his wife and son. The main collaborators are
the Neptunes, who apply much more acoustic guitar and hand percussion than normal but don't veer far from familiar, funk-laced pop -- the Italian Riviera trap of "Supplies" notwithstanding. One of the better moments, "Breeze Off the Pond," sounds like a sequel to
Neptune Pharrell Williams' "Gust of Wind" with a flashback to "Rock Your Body."
Chris Stapleton lends some country credibility to "Say Something." Elsewhere, there are enough thematic terms to fill a promotional word search, sometimes expressed with extended vowels to remind listeners of
Timberlake's origin. Ultimately, what comes across, through all the references to outdoor activities and apparel, is good times, comfort, romance, and seduction. ~ Andy Kellman