"It’s innovation personified. "
“First I thought JT’s song new song #filthy was trash. Upon second listen I think it’s garbage,” wrote Twitter user @brantbum.
An electric-funk track designed for the dance floor, “Filthy” was produced by Timberlake, frequent collaborator Timbaland, and Danja — the same production team behind Timberlake’s 2006 smash “SexyBack.” Some fans compared the two songs.
“Same people not feeling #Filthy weren’t ready for Sexy Back either. Now it’s in their top five,” wrote @scottyarms.
“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,” shared @alexneidt.
“#Filthy is polarizing, unique, weird, funky, & surely gonna divide a lot of people…” summed up @kbyrd2. “But I think I’m digging it.”
To his credit, perhaps Timberlake saw this coming: “Haters gon’ say it’s fake,” he sings in his new jam. “So real.”
First I thought JT’s song new song #filthy was trash. Upon second listen I think it’s garbage.
— Brant (@brantbum) January 5, 2018
Me listening to Justin Timberlake's new single #Filthy pic.twitter.com/Q8dTr6Q0oo
— YetAnotherSJW (@YetAnotherSJW) January 5, 2018
#Filthy is the perfect song to begin Justin's new era ???? pic.twitter.com/XrIr3hzCyq
— Steph (@Lemmunaid) 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
Justin Timberlake: "This album is inspired by my wife, my son but mostly where I'm from. It's called MAN OF THE WOODS."...
— Eoghan McDermott (@eoghanmcdermo) January 5, 2018
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
#Filthy is polarizing, unique, weird, funky, & surely gonna divide a lot of people...
— Khalil (@kbyrd2) January 5, 2018
But I think I’m digging it. ???????????
Am I alone..@jtimberlake is channeling a modern Prince vibe and it's different! I *hated* Can't Stop The Feeling, it was so commercial. Love this! #filthy
— Kate Raddatz (@RaddReport) January 5, 2018
I couldn’t even finish Justin Timberlake’s new song. It’s so bad . Maybe I’ll give it another listen in the morning but it’s a no for now #Filthy pic.twitter.com/3HoENBx9uy
— Stephanie. (@qsteph) January 5, 2018
I am a huge Justin Timberlake fan, but after waiting till 12 to hear his new single #Filthy off the #ManoftheWoods, I have one conclusion...we desperately need @Timbaland to produce this whole album. Disappointing Single. Last two albums were incredible. JT and Timbo are a must pic.twitter.com/h4KkKAGJPx
— Amir Eldick (@AmirToThe) January 5, 2018
Listening to #Filthy wak beat, wak lyrics pic.twitter.com/Sg7W7rfS1k
— pystolpete (@opinionFromME) January 5, 2018
as cliché as it sounds, filthy just gets better and better every time you listen to it, it's just a fact
— filthy (@twinkofthewoods) January 5, 2018
just listened to justin timberlake new song #filthy. pic.twitter.com/sfi5cqkV3a
— e R O K (@itserok) January 5, 2018
The reaction I’m seeing for @jtimberlake new music reminds me of people’s reaction for his past music. You don’t get it? You don’t have to, his fans do. His sound stays evolving. #Day1Fan #ManOfTheWoods #Filthy
— Krystal Pino (@KrystalPno) January 5, 2018
Same people not feeling #Filthy weren’t ready for Sexy Back either. Now it’s in their top five.
— Scott Armistead (@scottyarms) January 5, 2018
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
stan twitter hates filthy that means it’s going to be a HIT, i can’t stop crying we did it kids
— ??? (@donthoIdthewaII) January 5, 2018
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