Even though the release of Man of the Woods is less than two weeks away, we have been graced with another single (and accompanying music video) from Justin Timberlake - "Supplies". Still seeking to defy my initial idea of what the album was going to sound like, "Supplies" feels more in line with songs that JT has released before; pop-leaning vocals, a hip-hop beat, and plenty of a cappella sounds, with JT and Timberland ( and possibly Pharrell, seeing that he helped write on the song), beatboxing and singing to add layers to the track. The song has some trap influence - it's hard not to find that just about anywhere in music right now - but I think it's just enough to give the song an edge without going to far into the trend. It still has JT's signature feel, which is especially helped by the a cappella elements. The bridge switches the song into a more pop, lighter vibe that Justin describes as "the feeling when an airplane takes off". It soars for a moment, feeding into a more intimate sound that contrasts vocals that focus on one person with a sound that expands into something bigger than itself. All of this spirals up for just a few seconds, and then it suddenly drops back into the hip-hop groove and the swagger and darkness is back (and more pronounced after the lightness the bridge inspired).
At first, I was a little underwhelmed by the song. It's definitely catchy and fun to listen to (especially in the car, very loudly), but I felt it lacked the same depth and innovation that I felt when listening to "Filthy". After many listens (I'm currently on #14 since Friday), I found it grew on me more - the string part in the background gives it a bit of an exotic feel, and adds contrast to the large booming beats and swagger-filled vocals. I also found I appreciated the song more after watching a short clip that Justin released about the making of the song (which you can watch here). During one segment, he talks about how the melody is actually very country, and proceeds to sing it a cappella while clapping and stomping his feet. It gives the song a very different feeling, listening to it with the notion that Justin took a country melody and put it over a trap beat. I found I enjoyed the intricacies of the song more after watching some of the work behind it.
While this song isn't as great as "Filthy", it definitely is a jam, and it makes me excited for how the rest of the album will sound and the "americana" influence that will be sure to rear its head.
Rating: 4/5
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