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Justin Timberlake plays album for lucky few while feeding them grasshoppers and ants

New York — If the latest photos from Justin Timberlake's new album campaign don't relay the message that he's into nature and the woods, his first listening for the project drove the point home.

Tuesday's event in New York City to debut Man of the Woods was decorated with bushes and trees, while ants coated in black garlic and rose oil and grasshoppers were served.

But don't get too concerned about the pop star switching gears, the album — much like the lead dance single — sticks to the former boybander's musical persona, as upbeat pop, R&B and electronic tracks make up the collection of 16 songs.

WATCH THIS BEHIND-THE-SCENES FOOTAGE OF JUSTIN RECORDING HIS NEW ALBUM:

Behind: Man of the Woods (The Album). Link ??

A post shared by Justin Timberlake (@justintimberlake) on

Music industry insiders, members of the press and American Express cardholders — the company put on the event and will hold another on Wednesday — listened the full album as red lights beamed in the large space, which Justin helped design.

"I'm not going to go all Ray LaMontagne," Timberlake said at the listening, jokingly referring to the singer-songwriter known for his rock and folk sound.

He called Man of the Woods a "personal album" and said the record is a tribute to his 2-year-old son, Silas, a name that means "living in the woods."

HERE'S A VIDEO OF JUSTIN TALKING ABOUT THE FAMILY INSPIRATION BEHIND THE ALBUM:

My man is too good... repost from @justintimberlake

A post shared by Jessica Biel (@jessicabiel) on

"That's where I got the idea," said the part-time actor, who attended the event with his actress-wife, Jessica Biel, as well as family and friends he said had flown into town to support him.

Silas' voice appears on the album's closing track, Young Man; Alicia Keys is on Morning Light; and Chris Stapleton appears on Say Something, which seemed to be a crowd favorite at the event.

Justin, who will headline next month's Super Bowl halftime show, worked again with mega-producer Timbaland on the album. First single and album opener, Filthy, debuted at number nine on the Billboard Hot 100 chart this week.

Stranger Things actor Gaten Matarazzo also attended the event.

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