Sources say Justin Timberlake will release new album soon

The Associated Press, Thursday, January 10, 2013, 6:40am (PST)

Is Justin Timberlake about to release a new album? Sources tell The Hollywood Reporter and Billboard that a cryptic tweet posted by the singer-actor late on Wednesday night -- which simply read: "Thursday, January 10th, 2013 at 9:01 am PST..." -- signifies the announcement and possibly instant arrival of new music.

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And not just a song, but a full album produced by longtime collaborator Timbaland. Timberlake, who some might call the original Justin, is believed to have around 20 new tracks recorded. A source familiar with the project confirms to Billboard that Timberlake is definitely releasing a new album more sooner than later.

Timberlake's rep could not be reached for comment.

Timberlake's last studio effort, the enduring "FutureSex/LoveSounds," came out in 2006. It has been certified four-times platinum, marking domestic sales of over 4 million units.

Although Timberlake has focused much of his energy in recent years on movies (he will next be seen in the Coen brothers' highly-anticipated Inside Llewyn Davis) and tech (he's a key principal in the new Myspace), an insider says the former 'NSync star has been quietly and methodically preparing to release an album with almost no warning.

To wit: the 9 p.m. tweet that hinted at something transpiring just hours later. Within an hour, Justin Timberlake was the top trending topic on Twitter.