Justin Timberlake is back, and this time he’s in a selfish mood.
The U.S. pop star today (Jan. 25) drops “Selfish,” his first solo release in more than five years.
The former *NSync star has teased the cut several ways in recent days, including a hometown live debut and a post with what appeared to be the official cover art, shot by photographer Charlotte Rutherford.
Then, a snippet which sees JT from behind the stage curtain, paying thanks to the audience, over the sound of an old school analogue drum machine and lo-fi organ.
JT debuted the silky, R&B-leaning track live at his concert in Memphis, TN last Friday, Jan. 19. “So if I get jealous, I can’t help it/ I want every bit of you, I guess I’m selfish,” he sings. “It’s bad for my mental, but I can’t fight it.”
“Selfish” is the first track lifted from Timberlake’s forthcoming sixth album, titled Everything I Thought It Was, the followup to his solo LP Man of the Woods, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 back in 2018. The release date for EITIW has yet to be determined.
Though his solo music career has been in deep hibernation, Timberlake did return to his boyband roots last year when he reunited with *NSync for “Better Place,” which accompanied the animated family film Trolls Band Together. The track bowed at No. 25, for *NSync’s lucky 13th appearance on the Billboard Hot 100 and first appearance on the tally since “Girlfriend” featuring Nelly reached No. 5 — way back in 2002.
The 10-time Grammy winner will remind fans of what they’ve been missing when he serves as musical guest on Saturday Night Live this weekend, with Dakota Johnson hosting. There’s more small-screen action to come when JT stops by the The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon next Thursday.
Stream “Selfish” below.