After hearing a two-minute clip
of a "new" Michael Jackson song, "Love Never Felt So Good," during the
iHeartRadio Awards Thursday night, fans have more reason to anticipate
the King of Pop's posthumous album, "Xscape," due May 13 on Epic Records.
At the awards, one of Michael
Jackson's logical successors, R&B star Usher, channeled Jackson
during the song's preview, dancing across the stage, moonwalking, and
even hopping on a table to spin. Dancers dressed like Jackson also
mimicked the singer's signature moves, capturing the late legend's
energy in front of digital backdrops flashing graffiti and brick walls.
Written by Jackson and Paul Anka
in 1983 and produced by John McClain, "Love Never Felt So Good" is a
downtempo, roller-rink-ready disco track reminiscent of classic cuts
like "Rock With You" from Jackson's 1979 album "Off the Wall." The first
official single from "Xscape," "Love Never Felt So Good" goes on sale
at 12:01 ET Friday on all digital service providers. A bonus version of
the song, teaming Jackson and Justin Timberlake, will be available
individually as well as on the deluxe version of "Xscape."
"Xscape" includes eight songs
Jackson recorded between 1983 and 1999. Timbaland, the album's lead
producer, is joined by contributions from big-name producers Rodney
Jerkins, Stargate, Jermone "Jroc" Harmon, and McClain. In his
introduction of "Love Never Felt So Good," L.A. Reid, chairman and CEO
of Epic Records, said he was "instantly reminded that Michael Jackson is
the greatest" when reviewing the icon's vault of unreleased material.
Jackson's first posthumous album,
"Michael," was released in 2010 and featured production from McClain,
Akon, Teddy Riley, Lenny Kravitz, and C. "Tricky" Stewart, among others.
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