Future Sex/Love Sounds - Background

Background

In 2002, Timberlake released his debut album, Justified, during the hiatus of American boyband 'N Sync. The album spawned the US top-five hit "Rock Your Body" and top-three single "Cry Me a River". The latter's release was accompanied by a music video that features a woman resembling pop contemporary Britney Spears, with whom Timberlake concluded a three-year romantic relationship. "Cry Me a River" has been credited for having helped the album sell and peak onto music charts. Justified sold up to four million copies in the United States alone. Although the album established his career outside his then-band 'N Sync, Timberlake, who was then 22 years old, was "at a crossroads" and felt he was at the stage of being "burnt out", and thought he had lost his voice "in regards to knowing what (and how) he wanted to sing". Timberlake stated that Justified had been years in the making, and a record that would re-create its success would be a challenge he was not ready to take.

In the following two years, Timberlake went partially idle in the recording industry. His being burnt out partly caused him to try acting in movies. In October 2003, he hosted and was the guest musician on the late-night variety show Saturday Night Live where he showcased his acting potentials. He also paired with American actor Jimmy Fallon on The Barry Gibb Talk Show. After the show, Timberlake was reportedly "inundated" with acting offers, which he readily accepted partly because he needed inspiration and did not want to pass up the opportunities. Before returning to music, Timberlake shot four films, including Edison Force and Alpha Dog. Timberlake brought guitar and keyboard with him, working on fragment of songs while in his trailer in between filming. But most of the time Timberlake took hiatus because he "needed time from touring and promoting".

Timberlake opted not to pursue the reunion with 'N Sync which he considered after Justified. According to him, he was concerned with how they would reinvent their music. In late 2004, Timberlake contacted record producers Rich Harrison, and Rodney Jerkins who had produced songs for 'N Sync. Both producers were "impressed" by the live band-driven late-night shows of Timberlake and they wanted to incorporate this style in his music. Timberlake underwent a series of club shows, along with his arena tours, as a treat to his fans.