Justin Timberlake

It’s no longer a big secret that we all love J-T. Justified was an extraordinary introduction to a guy we all knew had the potential to rise above the lesser talents in N*Sync and break out of that damning boy band image. While that debut was a young man venting his post-break-up heartbreak, FutureSex/LoveSound is the confident successor looking to score. Burning loins energize this follow-up and there’s rarely a moment where "Trousersnake” isn’t on the prowl. In many respects, this is as much to do with Timbaland’s sexed up production. Choosing to work with the hip-hop producer erases the pop sheen that the Neptunes and Brian McKnight glossed Justified with, but it was a wise move. This exclusive partnership results in an exceptional flow that reaches all sorts of pinnacles, while demonstrating how both of these artists are striving to progress. "My Love” featuring T.I. is easily the best thing J-T’s ever touched, and arguably Timbaland’s finest moment, thanks to a hot-hot-hot beat, a jaw-dropping oscillating synth and of course, a killer chorus. From there, the two try everything from crunk ("Chop Me Up” with Three 6 Mafia), Elton John sap ("(Another Song) All Over Again”) and future funk ("Sexy Ladies/Let Me Talk to You Prelude”) with flawless results. But the biggest surprise comes in their epic experiments; two seven-minute pieces "Love Stoned/I Think She Knows Interlude” and "What Goes Around.../...Comes Around Interlude,” which seem like bold concepts, but they’re amazingly realised and never drag. FutureSex/LoveSound is a near-perfect album that confirms what we all suspected: when it comes to music, and hell, just about everything else, this guy’s fucking untouchable.