Justin Timberlake is back with a bang! After a five-year hiatus, the 42-year-old singer has dropped his much-anticipated single and video, 'Selfish,' as part of the lead-up to his upcoming album, 'Everything I Thought It Was.' The song, which Timberlake premiered at a special concert in his hometown of Memphis, showcases his signature sound and captivating lyrics.
'Selfish,' written by Timberlake himself, along with Louis Bell, Cirkut, Theron Thomas, and Amy Allen, embodies a midtempo, pulsating ballad that captures the essence of love. It takes us back to the early stages of the singer's career, with lyrics like 'I want every bit of you, guess I'm selfish.' Accompanying the song is a visually stunning music video directed by Bradley J. Calder, known for his work with artists such as SZA and Tinashe.
The video for 'Selfish' unfolds as a self-deprecating narrative, featuring Timberlake in a rehearsal studio, frustrated and struggling to perfect a video shoot. In a surreal twist, he finds himself in a bizarre, miniature room with a red telephone at the end. Upon reaching the phone, he suddenly returns to the studio, destroying the miniature set with his foot, reminiscent of the iconic album cover for 'FutureSex/LoveSounds.' The clip concludes with Timberlake delivering an electrifying performance, showcasing his sleek dance moves in a stylish suit.
Timberlake's comeback campaign embraces a more traditional approach, with upcoming appearances on 'The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon' and 'Saturday Night Live.' These shows have long served as platforms for the singer, particularly his bromance with Fallon. While he has maintained a relatively low profile in recent years, focusing primarily on contributions to the 'Trolls' film soundtracks, he surprised fans by reuniting with NSYNC for the song 'Better Place' last year.
However, instead of pursuing a full reunion, Timberlake is focused on his solo career and his upcoming album. A long-time collaborator, Timbaland, revealed details about the album last April, describing it as a return to the 'fun Justin' we all know from 'FutureSex/LoveSounds.' The album aims to capture the essence of youth and joy, without being overthought or heavy.
'We want it to feel like 'FutureSex' part two,' said Timbaland. 'So we picked songs that will fit that. It's about authenticity, staying true to the art, and bringing back that 13-year-old, 18-year-old energy. In this ever-changing world, music needs to be fun and young.'
Fans of Justin Timberlake can expect more exciting surprises on the horizon. With the release of 'Selfish' and the upcoming album, he is poised to reclaim his spot in the music industry and remind us once again why he remains one of the most talented and influential artists of his generation.
So mark your calendars and get ready to immerse yourself in the infectious beats and heartfelt lyrics of 'Everything I Thought It Was.' Justin Timberlake is back, and he's ready to make you dance, sing, and feel alive once again.