Don't Call It a Comeback!: Justin Timberlake & Jay-Z "Suit & Tie" (Timbaland)
Justin Timberlake makes the kind of music that's supposed to help you get laid; Let's call it "baby-making music," for lack of a better term. But JT has spent the bulk of last 6-7 years since his last album, Future Sex/Love Sounds (2006) doing damn-near everything besides writing/recording music: re-launching MySpace, sharpening his acting chops, launched a designer clothing line, recorded a few seriously good comedy tracks, and just being charming in general. During his time off, Justin Timberlake managed to record vocals for a gaggle of hits and misses for his musical friends' albums, too... 50 Cent, Jimmy Fallon, [The] Game, Ciara, The Lonely Island, T.I. Madonna, Timbaland, Duran Duran, Diddy-Dirty Money, Talib Kweli, Rihanna, and Chris Cornell? Timberlake finally took the plunge and "wifed up" his long-time on-again-off-again girlfriend, Jessica Biel @ a private ceremony back in October 2012.
Following nearly a solid week's-worth of teasers/rumors, Justin Timberlake unleashed his BRAND NEW single, "Suit & Tie" just before 12 midnight Jan. 13-14th. It was released online along with a lengthy open letter to his fans, which likely positions his third album, The 20/20 Experience for a tentative mid-late 2013 release. Timbaland's unsurprisingly smooth, horn-laden production gradually progresses and switches tempo leading up to the 6-minute mark. Timberlake promises to show the lucky lady in question "a few things... about love" until about 3/4's of the way through, when the beat slows up for Jay-Z's laid-back flow. I can't seem to find the interview online anymore; But I guess HOV was originally supposed to appear on Future Sex/Love Sounds, sessions which were ultimately cancelled due to scheduling conflicts. While "Suit & Tie" probably isn't the most down-right Funky thing Justin Timberlake has to offer, it definitely proves that he's still got it and should keep fans happy until The 20/20 Experience hits shelves later this year.