Posted by Nate Jones on 01/14/2013 at 10:37 AM News

The Popdust Files: comebacks, jay-z, justin timberlake, Suit and Tie, The 20/20 Experience, timbaland

The rumors were true.

Exactly as his countdown clock foretold, Justin Timberlake made a triumphant return to music Monday morning, releasing “Suit and Tie,” his first solo track since 2006.

Just like Destiny’s Child, his comeback comes not with exuberant ostentation, but with a slinky, subtle update of his old sound: “Suit and Tie” finds Justin once again working in his slinky white-boy soul, with Timbaland once again contributing a production that pays proper homage of Timberlake’s R&B forefathers while still sounding 100% modern. The world of pop music has changed greatly since JT’s mid-aughts heyday, but he’s not quite jumping on the EDM trend yet.

Along the way Jay-Z (but no Beyonce) pops up to share his musings on matrimony to the recently married Timberlake. The rhymes are fine, but as with most Jay guest verses, they’re also perfectly beside the point. This isn’t music, it’s a stamp of approval—one pop kingpin assuring another that, though he’s been gone from the game for a little while, they’ve still kept his seat open for him.

Listen to “Suit and Tie” below:

On his website, Justin also left an open letter to the fans, announcing plans for a new album, The 20/20 Experience, coming some time this year:

An Open Letter to you (the fans):

I hope this gets to you the right way. It’s the only way I know to do it. Some people may criticize me for the last 3 days. But it was fun, right?? Right?!?! Besides, I’d rather speak directly to all of you. And, who can knock me for having a little bit of fun with it?

Well… No more teasing. Although, it was A LOT of fun. (Did I mention that I’m having fun with this?? Ha!)

*Makes a serious face*

So, here goes:

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).

Justin Timberlake is back, well and truly. This is going to be a good year.

[Vulture]