Justin Timberlake Releases First Single Since 2006, And It Is Awesome

We wrote recently on the simple brilliance behind Justin Timberlake's teaser video last week announcing that he's "ready"–though ready for what, exactly, was anyone's guess. Sure, the fact that he was in a music studio, rocking headphones in front of a mic pointed toward a long anticipated return to music, but until we had definitive proof, he could have just been massively overhyping another body-part-in-a-box collaboration with Andy Samberg for all we knew.

Last night at midnight our suspicions were laid to rest, as Timberlake announced on his website the release of his first single in over six years: "Suit & Tie"–produced by Timbaland and featuring Jay-Z.

The song is 5 minutes and 27 seconds of vintage JT: soul-searing falsetto riffs aimed at some mystery club-goer ("I can't wait til I get you on the floor, good-looking"), intermixed with snaps of snare drum, tinges of a jazzy horn section and one predictably killer Jay-Z interlude: "Years of distress, tears on the dress / Try to hide her face with some makeup sex, ugh / This is trouble season, time for tuxedos for no reason."

For the next 15 hours, fans can stream the song for free on Timberlake's website or via another one of his recent projects, the revamped Myspace. And starting at midnight tonight, "Suit & Tie" will be released to radio stations nationwide. I wonder if Adam Levine is pissed there's a new (old) pop sheriff in town?

In an open letter to his fans, Timberlake acknowledges that while some may have criticized his veiled approach to the release over the past few days, he's having fun with it, and hopes his fans will to.

This year is an exciting one for me. As you probably have heard through the "grapevine," I'm gearing up for a big 2013.

Back in June of last year, I quietly started working on what is now, my next journey with that thing I love called MUSIC.

The inspiration for this really came out of the blue and to be honest, I didn't expect anything out of it. I just went into the studio and started playing around with some sounds and songs. It was probably the best time I've had in my career… Just creating with no rules and/or end goal in mind and really enjoying the process.

What I came up with is something I couldn't be more excited about! It is full of inspiration that I grew up listening to and some newfound muses that I've discovered along the way.

I'm calling it "The 20/20 Experience," and it's coming out this year.

I hope you enjoy listening to it as much as I enjoyed making it.

That's all I'm giving you for now… I know, I know! Again, with the teasing!!!

Get ready. This is going to be fun (well, at least it is for me).

The song is the first release off Timberlake's forthcoming album, "The 20/20 Experience," due out later this year on RCA Records. From the guy who's brought sexy back, cried us a river and reminded us all of the importance of love and sex and magic, it's sure to be received with open arms.

If the rest of his new album bears any resemblance to this first single, Justin Timberlake is definitely back, and on top of far more than just his "suit and tie shit."

Give the song a listen and let me know what you think. 

-Bostinno