Justin Timberlake dropped the music video for “Filthy,” the first single off his upcoming album Man of the Woods, and fans aren’t sure what to make of it.
More: Justin Timberlake Was a Real-Life Hero on the Golf Course
On the one hand, people are giving Timberlake credit for always keeping his music innovative. But on the other hand, fans are confused. They were expecting a more grounded album, based on what Timberlake has been teasing, and this new song is decidedly different.
Justin Timberlake: "This album is inspired by my wife, my son but mostly where I'm from. It's called MAN OF THE WOODS."…
World: Ahhh amazing! 1st single?
JT: I'm glad you asked! It's called FILTHY, a synthetic growl about a futuristic sex robot simulating an orgy.
World: pic.twitter.com/FCes1abYuZ
— Eoghan McDermott (@eoghanmcdermo) January 5, 2018
Justin Timberlake talked all that mess about this new project being some sort of wild, folksy, outdoorsy, back-to-his-roots vibe and the first video extensively features a fucking robot????????????
— KB (@KaraRBrown) January 5, 2018
My favorite thing about #Filthy is JT is making the music he wants to. No pressure to be inherently pop or prove himself. It actually sounds v Future Sex/Love Sounds to me, and uses a lot of the instrumentals he incorporates on tour to transition to new songs.
— Kirbie Johnson (@kirbiejohnson) January 5, 2018
The reaction I’m seeing for @jtimberlake new music reminds me of people’s reaction for his past music. You don’t get it? You don’t have to, his fans do. His sound stays evolving. #Day1Fan #ManOfTheWoods #Filthy
— Krystal Pino (@KrystalPno) January 5, 2018
that new Justin Timberlake single is cool. I like this kind of experimental stuff in pop music
— Julian Calor (@JulianCalorDJ) January 5, 2018
Justin Timberlake coming into his whiteness like pic.twitter.com/jKyhOyS8pT
— George M Johnson (@IamGMJohnson) January 5, 2018
Even more interestingly, Timberlake’s single is drawing comparisons to Taylor Swift’s new music.
"The chorus in Taylor Swift's 'Look What You Made Me Do' was the worst."
Justin Timberlake: "Hold my beer."
— Max Parker @ #RLCS (@GameGuyPGH) January 5, 2018
What the hell is this new Justin Timberlake song? He deadass channeled his inner Taylor swift almost I just… pic.twitter.com/CRJrj8qAfJ
— Dev (@x_perfectdreams) January 5, 2018
Timberlake initially described his upcoming album as “inspired by my son, my wife, my family but more so than any other album that I’ve ever written, where I’m from. And it’s personal.”
More: Justin Timberlake & Jessica Biel Share Adorable Date Night at the U.S. Open
Timberlake was born and raised in Shelby Forest, a small community in Tennessee.
“It feels like mountains, trees, campfires, like Wild West, like now,” Timberlake’s wife, Jessica Biel, can be heard saying in voiceover in the teaser video for the album.
FRIDAY… https://t.co/oydnUMzBE8 pic.twitter.com/sGmZ5Jvacb
— Justin Timberlake (@jtimberlake) January 2, 2018
The music in Timberlake’s album teaser definitely had a different vibe, so it’ll be interesting to see how he blends this “earthy” album with his single “Filthy,” which features an out-of-this-world robot and some electronic beats.
More: Justin Timberlake Is a Big Fan of “Dad Life”
Check out the video for “Filthy” below and judge for yourself. Timberlake recommended on Twitter that you listen to it with your volume up.
Leave a Comment