Dear JT, I think this is over. Sorry. It’s you; not me.
I was really excited about your new album, The 20/20 Experience. Your idea of putting together a band with many pieces and lots of horns for a "big band" feel was intriguing. Throwback. It was nice to see someone try something different and off the beaten path.
I was a late comer to your Future/Sex/Love Sounds album, but grew to enjoy it with its poppy and catchy tunes. It played it whenever I needed energy piped into my ears to get me going through long days. If I was ever unsure of what beat to walk to, I turned it on for the nice syncopation to get that snap back in my step. And most of all, it was a great dance album.
When hearing your first single "Suit & Tie" for the first time, I came away confused. I loved that it was almost like 3 songs in one, but they were disjointed and disconnected. You should know as well as anyone that the music that binds us together binds the notes to itself first. I wasn't sure and thought that maybe I wasn't taking to it because it was so different. Also the lyrics didn't help. I gave it another chance; several other chances.
Finally your album dropped and I listened. I listened to the whole thing. But I'm sorry, its doesn't work. My ears felt empty as though they were expecting a date with amazing, complex and rich tunes, but got stood up.
Your new tunes: The lyrics are nagging. The length is abhorrent. The tunes are hallow and lack interesting, connected arrangements to draw me in. There isn't resolution when there needs to be and the pregnant pauses are used without discernment.
I realize that I expect a lot out of the music I listen to. I want it to be complex, yet simple and meaningful. You've trained me to seek interesting beats that fade in and out as I sway from side to side moving from head to shoulder to torso. Like you, I am a musician. Trained in technical theory and skilled in deconstructing. But I'm not sure you're a musician anymore; at least not judging by this album. It's ok to have been distracted or to move on to other interests. I wouldn't hold that against you. Artists afterall, evolve and find new channels of self expression.
I'm just not sure your heart is in the music anymore. True love doesn't leave its partners in crime hanging without resolution, which you do often in this album- usually past the 4-5 min mark and then hanging for another 3-4 mins. I don't hear your passion for music here. If this is better live then do your music a favor and drop a live album to let it reach its full potential.
I am curious about how you're going to remix these songs though. At least that I can look forward to.
I'm willing to give your album another chance, but not today. Today, I need to stop the empty, bleeding vibe in my ears from depriving them of the tunes with the likes of Lightin' Hopkins' soulful jams.Â
Better luck next time JT.
s-u-f-j-a-n-s-t-e-v-e-n-s
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