Justin Timberlake unveils Suit and Tie single

Timberlake's last album FutureSex/LoveSounds was nominated for several Grammy awards

Justin Timberlake has unveiled his first single since 2006 along with details of a new album to be released later this year.

The single, Suit and Tie, features rapper Jay-Z and producer Timbaland.

In an open letter to fans on his website, he said the new album would be called The 20/20 Experience.

"This year is an exciting one for me," he wrote. "As you probably have heard through the 'grapevine,' I'm gearing up for a big 2013."

Timberlake's last album, FutureSex/LoveSounds, released in 2006, was the second solo effort from the former N'Sync member, after which he took a break from music to work as an actor in movies such as The Social Network.

'Next journey'

The six-time Grammy winner hinted to fans last week with a cryptic tweet saying "I think I am ready", linking to a video showing him walk into a studio.

Writing to fans on his website on Sunday, the 31-year-old singer revealed that in June last year, he "quietly started working on what is now, my next journey with that thing I love called MUSIC".

"The inspiration for this really came out of the blue and to be honest, I didn't expect anything out of it," he added.

"I just went into the studio and started playing around with some sounds and songs. It was probably the best time I've had in my career... Just creating with no rules and/or end goal in mind and really enjoying the process.

"What I came up with is something I couldn't be more excited about! It is full of inspiration that I grew up listening to and some newfound muses that I've discovered along the way."

Pop star Beyonce - who is married to Jay-Z - revealed in a recent interview that she is working with Timberlake on the follow up to her 2011 album, 4.