In todayย’s New York Times, music critic Kelefa Sanneh presents a curious overview of the current male pop musician, complete with an in-depth and slightly sardonic critique of Justin Timberlakeย’s new track, ย“SexyBack.ย”

ย“There is a woman in this story: a ย‘dirty babe,ย’ according to Mr. Timberlake. (Naturally, the epithet sounds more appealing when he sings it.) But sheย’s a minor character, upstaged by the ย‘dirty babeย’ behind the microphone. And not just upstaged: the more he sings, the more Mr. Timberlake sounds as if heย’s campaigning to replace her.ย”

More pop single analysis from the Times.