Justin Timberlake returns to music

Justin Timberlake is back in the studio recording tracks for a new album, according to producer/songwriter Jim Beanz.

The SexyBack star has stepped away from music in recent years to concentrate on launching a career as an actor, with roles in The Social Network, Bad Teacher and Friends With Benefits, but he continued to dabble in recording, releasing collaborations with stars including T.I. and Ciara.

Last year (11), Timberlake insisted he had no immediate plans to release another album, but Beanz has revealed the former 'N Sync star is currently working on tracks with fellow producer Timbaland.

Beanz, who has worked with Britney Spears and Nelly Furtado, tells Digital Spy, "When I get back to the States, I'm going to be helping out on... the Justin Timberlake project. It's still in the early stages, but they have a lot of tracks. While I've been over here in the U.K, they've been working, so by the time I get back they'll have a whole load of ideas and I'm going to have to catch up! He has some crazy, crazy stuff."

The producer goes on to reveal Timberlake is trying to come up with a different sound to his last album, 2006's FutureSex/LoveSounds. He adds, "There are certain artists who can get inside with great charisma and energy and make great music every time. So it's not really about topping the last record, it's more about topping music that comes on the radio.

"Everything is so similar that it's about topping that and doing something different, and that's what they are going for. He's going to kill it."