Justin Timberlake ‘s latest album, Everything I Thought It Was, attempts to course-correct his tarnished public image but ultimately falls flat.

The bloated 18-track record lacks introspection and relies heavily on rehashed formulas from his past successes. Songs like “Flame” try to recapture the magic of FutureSex/LoveSounds’ “What Goes Around…Comes Around” but fall short, devolving into generic radio fodder.

Lyrically, the album is equally uninspired. Love songs devolve into tired cliches, with Justin Timberlake resorting to outdated metaphors and braggadocio. Collaborations with Timbaland and Calvin Harris fail to spark innovation, falling into the trap of excessive runtime and predictable sonic switches.

While Timberlake attempts to address themes of fame and vulnerability, these efforts feel inauthentic and surface-level. The album opener, “Memphis,” pales in comparison to Britney Spears‘ Lucky in its exploration of the pressures of celebrity.

Everything I Thought It Was ultimately feels like a calculated move to capitalize on nostalgia and Timberlake’s upcoming tour. The music offers little in the way of genuine insight or artistic risk-taking. A sole glimmer of hope arrives in closing track “Conditions,” where Timberlake’s vocals hint at a flicker of vulnerability. However, this moment is fleeting, leaving the listener with the sense that Timberlake is content to coast on past glories.