I mean, really. If it was any cuter it’d be a yawming puppy named Whimsy that’s wearing a teeny-tiny puppy cast on his teeny-tiny broken leg as Zooey Deschanel holds it and sings a song with Joseph Gordon-Levitt about unconditional love. 

Nevertheless, I love it! And I really enjoy this song. Volume 3 is out now. 

It’s no “Motherlover,” that’s for sure. The trio released this new track as part of their “Wack Wednesdays” series, gearing up for the album release this summer by releasing a new song/video every Wednesday until the album drops. Check out the previous video (which is much better than the one above), “Spring Break Anthem” featuring James Franco and Zach Galifianakis. 

The Lonely Island will release their third studio album, The Wack Album, June 11. 

Everyone is bitching and moaning because they feel like the ACL Lineup  this year is just a rehash of a bunch of headliners that have already played ACL multiple times, but guess what? If it ain’t broke, don’t fucking fix it. 

I think the lineup is pretty fucking stellar. KIngs of Leon back from the dead? Muse to melt faces again?? New music from Phoenix and Vampire Weekend?? Silversun! Tor y Moi! Divine Fits! THE FUCKING CURE, YOU GUYS. THE CURE!!!! Arctic Monkeys! Passion Pit! fun.!! Grouplove! Fucking Jimmy Eat World?! Bright Light! Walk the Moon! AND SO MUCH MORE. 

Suck it up you pretentious babies. This lineup rules and you know it. 

It’s been 7 long years since Justin Timberlake blessed us with his exceptional FutureSex/LoveSounds. Many of us (myself included) probably just assumed that with his solid jump to film and his brilliant turns on SNL that our days of pumping up new JT were long behind us. 

But he decided to come back, and in the grandest way possible. With an announcement back in February that he would be dropping his new album, The 20/20 Experience, in March, we began a whirlwind journey from dramatic website announcement video to sexy first single “Suit and Tie,” to his triumphant return at The Grammys and SNL. 

So what do we really think of The 20/20 Experience? Many are whining that it’s a mistake, that he should have just stuck to his pop roots and given us another “Sexy Back.” I disagree. Musical evolution is necessary, and Timberlake has embraced that ideology through and through, and with fantastic results. 

Granted, I’m a little biased; I’ve always always adored JT and pretty much found him to be one of the hardest working, likable guys in the biz. Regardless, I was prepared to judge very harshly when this new album dropped. And at first listen, I thought it was good, but WAY different than what I was expecting. Having now listened to it 10+ times, I can safely say that it’s pretty darn phenomenal. 

The 20/20 Experience is leaps and bounds different than his previous endeavor, FutureSex/LoveSounds. Whereas that album was about 25 year olds and skinny jeans and slick pickup lines and sweaty makeouts on the dance floor, The 20/20 Experience is about 33 year olds, tailored suits, declarations of love, and babymakin’. There is no question his music has evolved from radio-friendly pop hits to can-be-radio-friendly-but-he-doesn’t-really-care-one-way-or-the-other soulful anthems. His Memphis roots shine through brilliantly, particularly on the brilliant “That Girl,” where his Tennessee Kids join him for a knee-slapping good time. 

More apparent here are passionate, soulful stories to be told. These tunes are lyrical and catchy, because of course they are, but they’re also deep, meaningful proclamations of love, desire, and class. The 20/20 Experience has more jazz and R&B influences than his previous work, and it’s exemplified especially well on tracks like “Blue Ocean Floor,” “Suit and Tie,” “Strawberry Bubblegum,” and “Spaceship Coupe.” 

But don’t get me wrong, his signature pop enthusiasm and charm are still present, but it’s less of his lingering early 2000 personality and more of his suave mature persona he’s developed over the past 7 years. Particularly reminiscent of FutureSex/LoveSounds are tracks “Mirrors,” “Don’t Hold the Wall,” “That Girl,” and “Tunnel Vision.” They’re catchy as hell, lyrically clever beyond anything on the radio right now, and body-moving in the best possible way. 

The few new tunes that seem to be wavering in between old JT and new JT are “Let the Groove In,” a fast-paced tribal sounding jam, and “Strawberry Bubblegum,” a sexy slow-jam that’s just the perfect mix of pop and R&B. It’s damn hot. 

The 20/20 Experience is different and fresh and so much more mature than his previous work, but for good. If you’re a loyal Timberlake fan, embracing his new sound won’t be that difficult for you. But if you’re expecting more “Sexy Back” and less “Let’s Get it On,” you might be out of luck. 

Grade: A

Whatchyou think? “Mirrors” is one of my favorite songs on his new album, The 20/20 Experience, so even if it was just him singing to his own reflection for 8 minutes, I’d be okay with that. 

And what I really mean is holy crap, I LOVE THIS. 

The first up is “Step,” a lovely, dreamy tune that is just SO Vampire Weekend, but as if they have grown up and traded sunny bro-filled jaunts along the beach with moving into a Brownstone in NY. I really adore this one. 

The second single released today is “Diane Young,” which is totally different than “Step.” It’s got that fast, frantic energy Vampire Weekend is so used to. I like it, but at first listen, not as much as “Step.” But it sure is fun. 

So far I’m liking what I hear! Can’t wait until May 7th for Modern Vampires of the City.  

You heard that right. Now stop squealing and listen. 

Austin news station KVUE has reported that Justin Timberlake will indeed be in town during SXSW. He’ll reportedly be throwing an epic private party, with possible (read: totally) surprise performance somewhere. 

Sure, the party may be private, but that doesn’t mean we can’t be on the lookout for that sexy motherfucker, right? GAME ON, TIMBERLAKE.

Holla holla holla halleluja! 

SNL decided to do the only thing that makes sense, and announced today that brilliant host and wearer of dapper duds Justin Timberlake will be back as both host and musical guest for the March 9 episode. 

I’m not gonna say that I was responsible for this, (see my future-predicting tweet below), but I’m going to say that I was responsible for this. 

Do you think @nbcsnl will take the opportunity of @jtimberlake’s new album to bring him on as host and musical guest again this year?!

February 10, 2013

Considering how I could give a crap less about Kevin Hart’s hosting gig, and several of the last hosts have underperformed, you bet your ass I’m more than stoked at JT’s return. He is one of the best hosts the show has ever seen, and it’s been a nice long time since we’ve seen him bring it on down in an ill-fitting food outfit. I just hope we get some sort of musical short with this episode, as that would be a SEVERE missed opportunity if not. 

Can’t wait till March 9! 

Oh, I love it. It’s fun, pretty and funky, and so Phoenix, with a little bit of something different. Love. Look for their new album BANKRUPT!, due out April 23. 

BRB, my heart is hurting. 

I like it, but I can’t tell if I like it because it’s actually really catchy and fun or if it’s just the nostalgia talking. Either way, I like it and am pretty stoked for the new album. Enjoy! 

This morning Taylor Swift delighted ladyfaces everywhere by announcing that her new album Red will be dropping on Oct. 22 (early birthday present to me!). She also released the first single from the new collection, entitled “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together.” 

Take a listen! It’s insanely catchy. It’s noticeably pop-ier that even her last album Speak Now, but I still really enjoy it. She’s always had a lot of crossover appeal in both country and pop, but this one seems a bit farther away from her country roots than normal. I’m sure her album will still be littered with that signature cutesy twang we’re so accustomed to, but this new track is anything but twangy. It’s super fun, super adorable, and it has that biting-yet-adorable snark that Swift is so adept at writing. I can’t wait for Red, and I hope it’s even better than Speak Now (if that’s possible). 

*Side note: How adorable is this cover art?! 

Really is too bad that voice is no more. This song is pretty legit. 

I’m not really sure hor FFF managed to snag this, but I don’t care. This is just straight up  CRAY. 

FFF says that part of their proceeds will go to the JMJ Foundation for Music, which works to give youth access to the arts.

Music win! 

You’re welcome.