The first song from Justin Timberlake’s upcoming studio album “Man of the Woods” dropped Friday morning, and people are… confused.
The teaser video for JT’s fifth album, inspired by his Tennessee upbringing, featured mountains, horses and campfires, leading many to believe the N*Sync alum’s new album would have a country or alternative vibe, and jokingly compared him to Bon Iver.
The vibe for the music video “Filthy” is anything but that. The clip features Timberlake in a Steve Jobs-esque outfit and a breakdancing, dry-humping robot. Watch the video above to see for yourself.
The song has the internet divided, some hailing the single as “garbage,” and others defending it as “way ahead of it’s time.”
One Twitter user described “Filthy” as “that song you want to come on at the club when it’s really late and you’re a little desperate. But it’s not like a song you start the night with.”
Another fan appreciated that Timberlake “is making the music he wants to,” and compared it to his previous album “Future Sex/Love Sounds.”
Others were less generous: “First I thought JT’s song new song #filthy was trash. Upon second listen I think it’s garbage,” said one Twitter user.
One said that because “stan twitter hates filthy that means it’s going to be a HIT.”
“Man of the Woods” comes out Friday, Feb. 2, two days before Timberlake takes the halftime stage at Super Bowl LII in Minneapolis.
See more reactions below.
Is the new Justin Timberlake song a bop? My first impression, which will likely change, is that it's that song you want to come on at the club when it's really late and you're a little desperate. But it's not like a song you start the night with.
— Reggie Aqui He/Him (@reggieaqui) 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
https://twitter.com/brantbum/status/949149683645005826?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Few.com%2Fmusic%2F2018%2F01%2F05%2Fjustin-timberlake-new-single-filthy-twitter-reactions%2F
https://twitter.com/kbyrd2/status/949259905814458369?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Few.com%2Fmusic%2F2018%2F01%2F05%2Fjustin-timberlake-new-single-filthy-twitter-reactions%2F
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
https://twitter.com/KrystalPno/status/949158029437558785?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Few.com%2Fmusic%2F2018%2F01%2F05%2Fjustin-timberlake-new-single-filthy-twitter-reactions%2F
Just like "SexyBack", #Filthy is way ahead of its time, and people will need a while to get adjusted. Expected nothing less from @only1DANJA @Timbaland and @jtimberlake
— Alex Niedt (@AlexNiedt) January 5, 2018
https://twitter.com/donthoIdthewaII/status/949164637827878915?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Few.com%2Fmusic%2F2018%2F01%2F05%2Fjustin-timberlake-new-single-filthy-twitter-reactions%2F
People shit on creative artists for doing new stuff. Same people who hated Suit & Tie when it came out for 20/20 part 1 came around. #Filthy is beyond a banger. It’s innovation personified. Embrace change.
— James Cibella 🇺🇦🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ (@JamesCibella) January 5, 2018