Filthy (song)
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"Filthy" | ||||
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Single by Justin Timberlake | ||||
from the album Man of the Woods | ||||
Released | January 5, 2018 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 4:53 | |||
Label | RCA | |||
Songwriter(s) | ||||
Producer(s) | ||||
Justin Timberlake singles chronology | ||||
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Music video | ||||
"Filthy" on YouTube |
"Filthy" is the lead single from American singer-songwriter Justin Timberlake's upcoming studio album, Man of the Woods (2018). The song was written and produced by Timberlake, Timbaland, and Danja, with additional songwriting from James Fauntleroy and Larrance Dopson.[3] The electro-funk song was released on January 5, 2018, along with its music video, which is set at a futuristic technology conference and shows Timberlake staging a proof-of-concept demo for a robot.[4] It will be serviced to contemporary hit radio on January 9, 2018.
Production
"Filthy" was revealed as the first single the day after Man of the Woods was confirmed. Timberlake, Timbaland and Danja first collaborated in Justified and FutureSex/LoveSounds, respectively. All three artists co-wrote the song along with James Fauntleroy, who co-wrote all songs on The 20/20 Experience and all but two songs on 2 of 2 and Larrance Dopson.[5]
Composition
"Filthy" is an electro funk number.[1] The song comprises funky electro-R&B elements.[6] Billboard noted the song is a combination of anthemic rock with electro.[7] The track opens with guitar licks, and it morphs into a "sleekly" industrial neo-funk number, complete with synth and a "snaking" bassline.[8] Timberlake speaks/sings tongue-in-cheek lyrics during the track.[9] The outro features vocals from Jessica Biel.[10]
Critical reception
The Guardian journalist Ben Beaumont-Thomas gave the song five-out-of-five stars, and said in his review, "On the basis of Filthy, he absolutely can. Beginning with some bombastic guitar rock, it transmogrifies into a beautifully dark, undulating funk track underpinned by a whiplash bass womp". He described the song as a "grownup funk masterpiece," and added "the chorus, which modulates into a sweeter, smoother key, is signature Timberlake."[2] In XXL, C. Vernon Coleman II stated the production provides a "fitting soundscape for the single, as they deploy out of this world synths with pulsating 808s."[11] In NME, Larry Barleet stated "Timberlake pulls it off," adding "what's really brilliant about 'Filthy' is that it's proof that JT isn't done with innovating."[8] Also from NME, Nick Reily described the track as "futuristic".[12] Rap-Up opined the "dance-ready" track finds the team experimenting with "a new futuristic sound."[13]
Ed Masley of The Arizona Republic described it as a "suitably robotic, an electro-funk sex jam."[14] Chris Willman of Variety thought the single and visuals in the context of the album may represent Timberlake's former self "albeit one who’s clearly still capable of coming to the phone, still getting his sexy-back kicks in before the muse draws him into a more reflective forest."[10] In Billboard, Katie Atkinson ranked it 11 among all Timberlake's singles, and felt "the funky Timbaland beat and tongue-in-cheek lyrics were a welcome, loose surprise."[9] Jon Caramanica of The New York Times opined it is an "unimaginative but slyly effective electro-funk vamp with acid house accents... It's cyclical and deliberate, like late-1970s big-band soul music."[15] In The Ringer, Lindsay Zoladz opined it "sounds like a new-millennium update of David Bowie's "Fame."[16]
Other writers expressed negative opinions. In Pitchfork, Katherine St. Asaph criticized its lyrical content and sound.[17] Will Lavin of Joe thought it sounds "dated, clunky and out of touch."[18] Eric Renner of Entertainment Weekly called it "empty" and said it is a "stuttering mess of electronic and funk".[1]
Music video
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/8/83/Filthy_music_video_by_Justin_Timberlake.png/240px-Filthy_music_video_by_Justin_Timberlake.png)
Timberlake shared a teaser of the video on January 4.[20] The official music video was directed by Mark Romanek and premiered along with the song.[3] Timberlake plays an inventor introducing his new work, a robot, to the public.[21] As a character inspired by Steve Jobs, Timberlake takes the stage at the Pan-Asian Deep Learning Conference in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in 2028 and debuts this new robot. In the dance-centric visual,[22] the artificial intelligence machine displays dance moves while being remotely manipulated by Timberlake.[11] The line between creator and his invention blurs by the clip's end, as described by a Rolling Stone reviewer.[23] For the CGI character, Timberlake and several dancers performed the motions that became the robot's moves in the final product.[24]
About Timberlake's look in the video, Rachel Hahn of Vogue deemed it a modern version of Jobs' iconic look. Timberlake wears a Todd Snyder turtleneck with wire-frame glasses, a pair of gray pants, and classic white sneakers.[25]
Charts
Chart (2018) | Peak position |
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US Adult Pop Airplay (Billboard)[26] | 24 |
US Pop Airplay (Billboard)[27] | 23 |
Release history
Region | Date | Format(s) | Label | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
Various | January 5, 2018 | RCA | [3] | |
Italy | Contemporary hit radio | Sony Music | [28] | |
United Kingdom | RCA | [29] | ||
United States | January 8, 2018 | Hot adult contemporary | [30] | |
January 9, 2018 | Contemporary hit radio | [31] | ||
Rhythmic contemporary | [32] |
References
- ^ a b c Brown, Eric Renner (January 5, 2018). "Hear Justin Timberlake's new electric-funk song 'Filthy'". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved January 5, 2018.
- ^ a b Beaumont-Thomas, Ben (January 5, 2017). "Justin Timberlake: Filthy review – comeback single channels Prince into grownup funk masterpiece". The Guardian. Retrieved January 5, 2017.
- ^ a b c Aswad, Jem (January 3, 2018). "Justin Timberlake to Drop Four Videos Before 'Man of the Woods' Album Release". Variety. Retrieved January 4, 2018.
- ^ Merrill, Philip (January 5, 2018). "Justin Timberlake Releases "Filthy" Music Video". Grammys. Retrieved January 6, 2018.
- ^ Berry, Peter A. (January 3, 2018). "Timbaland and Danja Produced Justin Timberlake's New Song "Filthy"". XXL. Retrieved January 4, 2018.
- ^ Thompson, Desire (January 5, 2018). "Justin Timberlake Maintains A Funky Groove With New Single, "Filthy"". Vibe. Retrieved January 5, 2018.
- ^ Bradle, Lars (January 5, 2018). "Justin Timberlake Goes Back to the Future for 'Filthy' Music Video: Watch". Billboard. Retrieved January 5, 2018.
- ^ a b Larry, Barleet (January 5, 2017). "In search of the filth in Justin Timberlake's 'Filthy'". NME. Retrieved January 5, 2017.
- ^ a b Atkinson, Katie (January 5, 2017). "Every Justin Timberlake Single Ranked: Critic's Choice". Billboard. Retrieved January 5, 2017.
- ^ a b Willman, Chris (January 5, 2018). "Song Review: Justin Timberlake Goes Back to the 'FutureSounds' With 'Filthy' Video". Variety. Retrieved January 5, 2018.
- ^ a b Coleman II, C. Vernon (January 5, 2018). "Timberlake, Timbaland and Danja Reunite In New Track 'Filthy'". XXL. Retrieved January 5, 2018.
- ^ Reily, Nick (January 5, 2018). "Justin Timberlake returns with futuristic new single 'Filthy'". NME. Retrieved January 5, 2018.
- ^ "New Music: Justin Timberlake - Filthy". Rap-Up. January 5, 2018. Retrieved January 5, 2018.
- ^ Masley, Ed (January 4, 2018). "Justin Timberlake just dropped the video to 'Filthy' from 'Man of the Woods'". The Arizona Central. Retrieved January 5, 2018.
- ^ Caramanica, Jon (January 5, 2018). "The Playlist: Justin Timberlake Stays Funky (for Now), and 9 More New Songs". The New York Times. Retrieved January 5, 2018.
- ^ Zoladz, Lindsay (January 5, 2018). "Justin Timberlake Gets "Filthy" and Stays Funky". The Ringer. Retrieved January 5, 2018.
- ^ ""Filthy" by Justin Timberlake Review - Pitchfork". pitchfork.com. Retrieved 7 January 2018.
- ^ Lavin, Will (January 5, 2017). "Watch the video for Justin Timberlake's disappointing new single, "Filthy"". Joe. Retrieved January 7, 2017.
- ^ Wright, Tolly (January 5, 2018). "Watch Justin Timberlake Show Off His Robot Dance in 'Filthy' Music Video". Vulture. Retrieved January 5, 2018.
- ^ Brown, Eric Renner (January 4, 2018). "Justin Timberlake channels Steve Jobs in 'Filthy' video tease". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved January 4, 2018.
- ^ Kaufman, Gil (January 3, 2018). "Justin Timberlake to Drop 'Filthy' Single on Jan. 5". Billboard. Retrieved January 4, 2018.
- ^ "Justin Timberlake Readies Timbaland-Produced Single 'Filthy'". Rap-Up. January 3, 2018. Retrieved January 4, 2018.
- ^ Reed, Ryan (January 5, 2018). "Watch Justin Timberlake's Futuristic New 'Filthy' Video". Rolling Stone. Retrieved January 5, 2018.
- ^ Iasimone, Ashley (January 6, 2018). "Justin Timberlake Gives a Glimpse at the Making of His 'Filthy' Video". Billboard. Retrieved January 7, 2018.
- ^ Hahn, Rachel (January 5, 2018). "In "Filthy," Justin Timberlake Upgrades Steve Jobs's Iconic Uniform". Vogue. Retrieved January 5, 2018.
- ^ "Justin Timberlake Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved January 9, 2018.
- ^ "Justin Timberlake Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved January 8, 2018.
- ^ "Justin Timberlake – filthy RadioDate". Radioairplay.fm. 5 January 2018. Retrieved 8 January 2018.
- ^ "BBC – Radio 1 – Playlist". BBC Radio 1. 5 January 2018. Retrieved 8 January 2018.
- ^ "Hot/Modern/AC > Future Releases". All Access Music Group. Retrieved January 5, 2018.
- ^ "Top 40/Mainstream > Future Releases". All Access Music Group. Retrieved January 4, 2018.
- ^ "Top 40/Rhythmic-Crossover > Future Releases". All Access Music Group. Retrieved January 5, 2018.
- 2018 singles
- 2018 songs
- 2028 in fiction
- Cultural depictions of Steve Jobs
- Justin Timberlake songs
- Music videos directed by Mark Romanek
- RCA Records singles
- Song recordings produced by Danja (record producer)
- Song recordings produced by Justin Timberlake
- Song recordings produced by Timbaland
- Songs written by Danja (record producer)
- Songs written by James Fauntleroy
- Songs written by Justin Timberlake
- Songs written by Timbaland