The Bottom Line
Justin Timberlake may indeed score one of the bigger pop hits of summer 2007 with this song, but it is a significant comedown from the 3 consecutive #1 hits off FutureSex / LoveSounds. If you've missed that more simplistic boy band sound JT left behind several years back, "Summer Love" might ring a few bells. You can almost imagine the ghosts of *NSYNC dancing in the background.
Head to Justin Timberlake's official site to listen to "Summer Love."
Pros
- The melody sticks
- It reminds us how far Justin Timberlake has come as an artist
Cons
- Somewhat inane boy band does hip hop sound
- Silly lyrics
Description
- Big, lumbering synth line
- Swooning vocals that become more desperate in the bridge
- One of those stick-to-the-bottom-of-your-shoes like bubblegum melodies
Guide Review - Justin Timberlake - Summer Love
It's always a disappointing experience when an artist as talented as Justin Timberlake segues on pop radio from a song as sophisticated in sound as "What Goes Around..." to something as simplistic and ultimately disappointing as "Summer Love." The song is catchy and inoffensive, but we've come to expect much more from Mr. Timberlake after his string of 3 powerful #1 hit singles.
That big fat synth melody line that dominates the song instantly takes us back to the '90's. Built for synchronized dance moves, the song conjures up memories of JT with his *NSYNC buddies. Unfortunately, this song, with its weak lyrical attempt at blending street cred with summer swoon, wouldn't have been among their best either.
If you haven't picked it up yet, don't let "Summer Love" deter you from digging deeper into the album FutureSex / LoveSounds out of a mistaken assumption that the 3 previous hits are the best the collection has to offer. This could be the last single, but there are pleasures to be found to add to your personal playlist. "Summer Love" just isn't one of them.
