Release (Timbaland song)

Last updated
"Release"
Song by Timbaland featuring Justin Timberlake
from the album Shock Value
Released2008
Recorded2007
Studio
Genre
Length3:25
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s) Timbaland

"Release" is a song performed by American producer and rapper Timbaland, taken from his second studio album Shock Value (2007). The song features vocals by longtime collaborator Justin Timberlake. Mosley and Timberlake co-wrote the song together with rapper and songwriter Craig Longmiles. The song was produced solely by Timbaland and recorded in various locations in the United States. "Release" is an uptempo house and funk song that incorporates elements of dance and urban music.

Contents

"Release" received generally positive reviews from music critics, with many praising the song's uptempo sound and unusual style. The song drew comparison to music by British electronic dance recording duo Basement Jaxx and to Justin Timberlake's "SexyBack", which Timbaland helped write and produce. Upon the release of Shock Value in the United States, "Release" debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 at number ninety-one on the strength of paid digital downloads.

Background

"Release" was written and produced by Timbaland, who co-wrote the song with Justin Timberlake and Craig Longmiles. Sound engineer Demacio "Demo" Castellón handled the recording and programming of the song, which took place at three locations: Thomas Crown Studios in Virginia Beach, Virginia, Chalice Recording Studios in Los Angeles, California, and Hit Factory Criteria in Miami, Florida. Additional recording was engineered by Marcella "Ms. Lago" Araica. Castellón was assisted by Matty Green in mixing the song, which took place at Timbaland's recording studio, Thomas Crown Studios, in Virginia Beach, Virginia. The track was edited by Ron Taylor through the use of Pro Tools technology. Guitars were played by musicians Kevin Rudolf and Dan Warner, the latter also provided the bass featured on the track. Timbaland is also featured as the instrumentalist behind the drums and keyboards present on "Release". Singer Keri Hilson is featured as the background vocalist with producer and musician Jim Beanz, who also helmed the vocal production of the song. "Release" was one of four choices in a poll on Timbaland's website to vote for the fifth single from Shock Value. The other choices included "Scream", "Miscommunication" and "One and Only". It ended up with only 21% of the 5000+ votes. [note 1] [1]

Composition

Gnome-mime-sound-openclipart.svg
"Release"
An 18-second sample of the chorus of "Release".
Problems playing this file? See media help.

"Release" is an uptempo house and funk song with a length of 3:25 (three minutes and twenty five seconds). [2] [3] It combines elements of R&B and dance music. [4] The song is built upon futuristic club beats and funky "monster style" keyboards. [5] Many critics compared the song to Justin Timberlake's "SexyBack" (2006), a song that Timbaland co-produced and co-wrote for Timberlake's second studio album FutureSex/LoveSounds (2006), as well as music by British electronic dance duo Basement Jaxx. Sal Cinquemani of Slant Magazine commented that ""Release" sounds like an early or subsequent version of "SexyBack"." [6] Nate Patrin of Pitchfork Magazine described the song as a "berserk Bootsy-meets-Thomas Dolby-by-way-of-Basement Jaxx house-funk." [2] Ivan Rott of About.com labels "Release" as a "quasi-SexyBack imitation." [7]

Critical reception

Andy Kellman of All Music Guide dismissed the song as a ripoff of a Basement Jaxx song, while ironically comparing the ripoff to Basement Jaxx's "U Can't Stop Me" ripoff of Timbaland and Missy Elliott's musical collaborations. [3] Nate Patrin of Pitchfork Magazine dismissed Timbaland's vocals as "atonal half-sung bellowing" that "overextends its welcome". [2] Luke Bainbridge of The Observer named "Release" as one of the album's best tracks as well as one of the album's standouts, with "Bounce" and "The Way I Are". [8] Ivan Rott, a writer for About.com , felt differently about it, writing that the song, along with "The Way I Are", is "mediocre to say the least." [7] Christian Hoard, in his review of Shock Value for Rolling Stone , wrote " On "Release", Tim and Timberlake work up disco that sounds a bit like “SexyBack”, in a good way." [9] Steve "Flash" Juon of RapReviews compared "Release" to "SexyBack", writing it off as an unofficial sequel to the aforementioned song and found it to be better than its predecessor. [10] David Hyland of WESH Orlando found the song to be more interesting and elaborate than "Kill Yourself", which he describes as "so un-ambitious that it's disappointing." He added about "Release", however, that the song gets old. [5] Norman Mayers of Prefix Magazine labeled "Release" and "The Way I Are" as some of the most successful tracks on Shock Value. [4]

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from the liner notes of Shock Value, released through Mosley Music Group, in association with Blackground Records and Interscope Records. [11]

Recording and mixing

Personnel

Charts

Chart performance for "Release"
Chart (2007)Peak
position
Canada (Canadian Hot 100) [12] 86
US Billboard Hot 100 [13] 91

Notes

  1. ↑ Although "One & Only" was winning in the votes with 45%, "Scream" was already getting spins off of big top 40 stations, including KIIS, and it was released as the fifth and final single from the album.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Timbaland</span> American record producer (born 1972)

Timothy Zachery Mosley, known professionally as Timbaland, is an American record producer. He has received widespread acclaim for his innovative production work and distinctive "stuttering" rhythmic style. In 2007, Entertainment Weekly stated that "just about every current pop trend can be traced back to him—from sultry, urban-edged R&B songstresses [...] to the art of incorporating avant-garde sounds into No. 1 hits."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No Hay Igual</span> 2006 single by Nelly Furtado

"No Hay Igual" is a song by Canadian singer-songwriter Nelly Furtado from her third studio album, Loose (2006). It was written and produced by Furtado, Tim "Timbaland" Mosley, Nate "Danja" Hills, and Nisan Stewart, with vocal production by Jim Beanz. While working with Timbaland and Danja at The Hit Factory in Miami, Florida, Pharrell Williams introduced Furtado to reggaeton, a musical genre that was unfamiliar to her. After he played a song for her, Furtado became inspired and wrote the lyrics to "No Hay Igual" "nearly on the spot". It is a hip-hop and reggaeton song in which Furtado sings in Spanish over a reggaeton rhythm.

<i>FutureSex/LoveSounds</i> 2006 studio album by Justin Timberlake

FutureSex/LoveSounds is the second studio album by American singer-songwriter Justin Timberlake, released on September 8, 2006, by Jive Records and Zomba. Following a three-year writing hiatus, Timberlake conceived the album in collaboration with producer Timbaland and the latter's colleague Danja primarily at Timbaland's Thomas Crown Studios. By comparison with Timberlake's debut album Justified (2002), FutureSex/LoveSounds was influenced by a wider range of genres including techno, electro-funk, trance, and rock. It features reprises and interludes interspersed with the album's full songs.

Floyd Nathaniel Hills, professionally known as Danja, is an American record producer and songwriter from Virginia Beach, Virginia. Starting off as a co-producer for Timbaland, he has since worked extensively as a solo producer and received credits on numerous hit singles. Namely, Hills has produced for acts including Britney Spears, Usher, Keri Hilson, T.I., Nelly Furtado, Ciara, Mariah Carey, Madonna, Whitney Houston, Missy Elliott, M.I.A., Justin Timberlake, JoJo, Joe Jonas, Simple Plan, The Clutch, Pink, T-Pain, Diddy, Meek Mill, Björk, Duran Duran and AGNEZ MO.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Give It to Me (Timbaland song)</span> 2007 song by Timbaland featuring Nelly Furtado and Justin Timberlake

"Give It to Me" is a song performed by American producer, songwriter and rapper Timbaland, released as the first single from his second studio album Shock Value (2007). The song features vocals by Canadian singer-songwriter Nelly Furtado and American singer-songwriter Justin Timberlake. All three artists co-wrote the song together with American rapper Attitude and American producer Danja, who co-produced the song with Timbaland. Mosley Music Group, in association with Blackground Records and Interscope Records, serviced the song to contemporary hit and rhythmic radios in the United States on February 6, 2007, and later to urban radios on March 10, 2007. "Give It to Me" is an electro song that embodies the sensibilities of club music. The song features the protagonists addressing their critics about their successes in the music industry.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Throw It on Me</span> 2007 promotional single by Timbaland featuring The Hives

"Throw It on Me" is a song performed by American producer, songwriter and rapper Timbaland featuring Swedish band The Hives from Timbaland's second studio album Shock Value (2007). The song was released as a promotional single on August 4, 2007 only in Australia.

<i>Shock Value</i> (Timbaland album) 2007 studio album by Timbaland

Shock Value is the second solo studio album by record producer Timbaland. The album was released in the UK on April 2, 2007, and released in the US one day later. It is Timbaland's first release on his own imprint, the Interscope Records-distributed Mosley Music Group. Shock Value features a long list of guest artists, among them Fall Out Boy, Justin Timberlake, the Hives, Keri Hilson, Nelly Furtado, Missy Elliott, 50 Cent, Tony Yayo, Dr. Dre, OneRepublic, Elton John, Magoo and Nicole Scherzinger.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Summer Love (Justin Timberlake song)</span> 2007 single by Justin Timberlake

"Summer Love" is a song by American recording artist Justin Timberlake from his second studio album FutureSex/LoveSounds (2006). The song was released as the fourth single from the album in April 2007. It was co-written and co-produced by Timberlake, along with Timothy "Timbaland" Mosley and Nate "Danja" Hills. The song was produced following Timberlake's two-year hiatus from the music industry; when he felt "burnt out" after the release of his debut solo album Justified in 2002. "Summer Love" is a dance-pop song about "wanting to fall in love with the lusty seasonal lover". Its instrumentation consists of keyboards, drums, guitars, pianos and handclaps.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Way I Are</span> 2007 single by Timbaland

"The Way I Are" is a song by American producer Timbaland, released as the second single from his second studio album Shock Value (2007). The song features vocals by singer Keri Hilson, and is included on international editions on her debut album In a Perfect World... (2009). The two artists co-wrote the song with Danja, The Clutch, and Candice Nelson. Timbaland and Danja also produced the song. Mosley Music Group, in association with Blackground Records and Interscope Records, serviced the song to contemporary hit and rhythmic radios in the United States on June 15, 2007. "The Way I Are" is an electrohop song with influences of R&B and dance music that help create its futuristic sound. Its lyrics are based on the theme of role reversal and sensuous desires.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Scream (Timbaland song)</span> 2007 single by Timbaland

"Scream" is a song by American producer and rapper Timbaland, released as the fifth and final single from his second studio album Shock Value (2007). The song features vocals from American singer and songwriter Keri Hilson and the lead singer of the Pussycat Dolls at the time Nicole Scherzinger. Mosley and Hilson co-wrote the song with American producer Danja, who co-produced the song with Timbaland. Mosley Music Group, in association with Blackground Records and Interscope Records, serviced the song to mainstream radios in the United States in December 2007.

"Slow Dance" is a song by American recording artist Keri Hilson. Written with American singer Justin Timberlake, the song was penned while she was a guest on the British leg of Timberlake's FutureSex/LoveShow tour. The writing team also included The Royal Court who along with Skyz Muzik produced the track. The song serves as the sixth single from her debut studio album, In a Perfect World.... Giving off a psychedelic vibe and compared to 1980's Prince ballads and Ciara slow burners, the song received generally positive reviews, complimenting its musical backdrop and vulnerable lyrical appeal.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Say Something (Timbaland song)</span> 2009 single by Timbaland featuring Drake

"Say Something" is a song recorded by American producer, songwriter and rapper Timbaland, for his third studio album Shock Value II (2009). The song features vocals from Canadian rapper Drake. It was written by Mosley, Jerome Harmon, Graham, Timothy Clayton and John Maultsby. The production was helmed by Mosley under his stage-name Timbaland while Harmon served as the assistant producer, under the stage-name Jroc. The song was tailored to Drake's sound and when the rapper wrote to it, he contacted the producer about the lyrics. Despite the verses feeling more like Graham's record, Mosley gave his blessing and went the product. The song was solicited to digital retailers on November 3, 2009 in the United States as the album's second single.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carry Out</span> 2009 single by Timbaland featuring Justin Timberlake

"Carry Out" is a song recorded by American producer and rapper Timbaland for his third studio album Shock Value II (2009). The song features guest vocals from longtime collaborator, American recording artist Justin Timberlake. Timbaland and Timberlake co-wrote the song with Timothy "Attitude" Clayton, Jim Beanz and Jerome "J-Roc" Harmon; with Harmon co-producing the song with Timbaland. Mosley Music Group, together with Blackground and Interscope Records, serviced the song to contemporary hit radio on December 1, 2009, in the United States, as the third single from Shock Value II.

<i>Shock Value II</i> 2009 studio album by Timbaland

Shock Value II is the third studio album by American record producer Timbaland. It serves as the sequel to his previous album, Shock Value. Initially slated for a 2008 release, the project was pushed into 2009 and tentatively confirmed for November 23, 2009 through Blackground Records, however, it was pushed back once more and finally released on December 7, 2009 in the UK and December 8 in the US.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Suit & Tie</span> 2013 single by Justin Timberlake featuring Jay-Z

"Suit & Tie" is a song by American singer-songwriter Justin Timberlake from his third studio album The 20/20 Experience (2013). It features a verse from American rapper Jay-Z. It was written and produced by Timberlake, Tim "Timbaland" Mosley and Jerome "J-Roc" Harmon, with additional writing from James Fauntleroy and Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter. It features compositional samples from the 1972 song "Sho' Nuff" by Sly, Slick and Wicked, which members are credited as co-writers to "Suit & Tie". The song was premiered on YouTube on January 13, 2013, and was released on January 15 by RCA Records as the lead single from the album. It serves as Timberlake's highly anticipated musical comeback following a six-year hiatus, during which time he pursued an acting career and developed his skills as a record producer and songwriter for other artists.

"Don't Hold the Wall" is a song recorded by American singer-songwriter Justin Timberlake for his third studio album, The 20/20 Experience (2013). It was written and produced by Timberlake, Timothy "Timbaland" Mosley and Jerome "J-Roc" Harmon, with additional writing from James Fauntleroy.

"Let the Groove Get In" is a song recorded by American singer-songwriter Justin Timberlake for his third studio album, The 20/20 Experience (2013). It was written and produced by Timberlake, Timothy "Timbaland" Mosley and Jerome "J-Roc" Harmon, with additional writing from James Fauntleroy. A latin song, "Let the Groove Get In" contains sample from the recording "Alhamdulillaahi" part of the release Explore Series: Africa-Burkina Faso: Rhythms of the Grasslands (2002). Music critics received the song well and noticed a similarity between it and the works of Michael Jackson in particular his 1983 single "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'". Following the release of The 20/20 Experience, it debuted at number 31 on the South Korea International Chart and at number nine on the US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart.

"Cabaret" is a song recorded by American singer and songwriter Justin Timberlake for his fourth studio album, The 20/20 Experience – 2 of 2 (2013). Featuring a rap verse by Canadian rapper Drake, the song was written and produced by Timberlake, Timothy "Timbaland" Mosley, Jerome "J-Roc" Harmon and Daniel Jones, with additional writing from James Fauntleroy and Drake. "Cabaret" is a pop and soul song which features beatboxing, handclapping, guitars and keyboards in its composition. Music critics noted its similarity to Timbaland's earlier works with singer Aaliyah and Timberlake's 2006 single "My Love". Lyrically, it finds the singer comparing his love to a burlesque and features sexually oriented lyrics.

References

  1. ↑ "Vote for next single". Timbaland official website. Archived from the original on November 15, 2007. Retrieved November 22, 2007.
  2. 1 2 3 Patrin, Nate. "Timbaland: Shock Value". Pitchfork Magazine . Pitchfork Media Inc. Retrieved 5 April 2012.
  3. 1 2 Kellman, Andy. "Timbaland Presents Shock Value - Timbaland". Allmusic Guide . Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 5 April 2012.
  4. 1 2 Mayers, Norman. "Album Review: Timbaland - Shock Value | Prefix". Prefix Magazine. Prefix. Retrieved 11 April 2012.
  5. 1 2 Hyland, David. "Timbaland's 'Shock Value' Has Shockingly Limited Value". WESH Orlando . Orlando Hearst Television Inc. Retrieved 11 April 2012.[ permanent dead link ]
  6. ↑ Cinquemani, Sal. "Timbaland: Timbaland Presents: Shock Value". Slant Magazine . Slant Magazine. Retrieved 5 April 2012.
  7. 1 2 Rott, Ivan. "Timbaland Presents Shock Value - Album Review of Timbaland Present Shock Value". About.com . The New York Times Company . Retrieved 11 April 2012.
  8. ↑ Bainbridge, Luke (18 March 2007). "CD: Timbaland, Shock Value | Music". The Observer . London: Guardian News and Media Limited. Retrieved 11 April 2012.
  9. ↑ Hoard, Christian. "Shock Value : Timbaland : Review : Rolling Stone". Rolling Stone . Archived from the original on February 23, 2009. Retrieved 11 April 2012.
  10. ↑ Juon, Steve "Flash". "Timbaland :: Timbaland Presents Shock Value :: Blackground Records/Interscope". RapReviews. RapReviews. Retrieved 11 April 2012.
  11. ↑ Shock Value (inlay cover). Timbaland. Mosley Music Group, Blackground Records, Interscope Records. 2007.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  12. ↑ "Timbaland Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved July 27, 2022.
  13. ↑ "Timbaland Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved May 2, 2021.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.