Five years after the pop singer’s death, Epic is set to release a posthumous Michael Jackson record. Xscape—which is probably supposed to stand for “escape,” and not “excess cape” —is due May 13 and is composed of eight entirely new tracks from the deceased star. According to a press release, the album was executive produced by Epic Records CEO L.A. Reid, who took old, unreleased Jackson tracks to new producers like Timbaland and Rodney Jerkins, who then “retooled the production to add a fresh, contemporary sound that retains Jackson’s essence and integrity.” The project, officially sanctioned by Jackson’s estate, should be a boon for Jackson’s longtime label, Sony/Epic, which says it’s thrilled to be bringing Jackson’s “fans an exclusive experience”—assuming “exclusive” means “able to be purchased in any mass market retailer.”
Xscape will be available for pre-order via iTunes tomorrow, April 1, and will be available in both a standard and deluxe version.