New Michael Jackson album, Xscape, to be released in May

Epic Records have teamed up with the late King Of Pop’s estate to compile an album of previously unheard new tracks.

Epic Records have revealed that they have teamed up with the estate of the late King Of Pop, Michael Jackson, to release a new album, featuring previously unheard recordings by the US star.

The album, which is titled XScape, will be Michael Jackson’s first new studio album since Michael in 2010. The standard edition will contain eight new tracks, never before heard by the public, while a deluxe edition of the will include all of the original demo recordings of the tracks.

XScape will feature the work of producers such as Timbaland, Rodney Jerkins, Stargate, Jroc and John McClain, while L.A. Reid – founder of LaFace Records and current chairman of Epic – will serve as executive producer.

“Modern music and artistry would look and sound completely different if not for the ground-breaking contributions Michael Jackson gifted to the world,” said Reid in an official press release. “We are extremely proud and honoured to present this music to the world.”

The album’s title is thought to reflect Michael’s naming process, which, according to Epic Records, revolves around using “edgy, one word titles”.

XScape’s global release date is set to be May 13, with pre-orders expected to be taken as early as tomorrow (Tuesday, April 1).

Check out the album's artwork below:

Michael Jackson passed away in June 2009. An autopsy found his death was due to a combination of drugs in his body, the most significant being the anesthetic Propofol and the anxiolytic Lorazepam.

Michael’s doctor, Conrad Murray, was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter during a trial in 2011. He was sentenced to four years in prison for his crime, however, he was released two years ahead of schedule due to prison overcrowding in California, in October of last year.