REVIEW : Justin Timberlake's new single , ' Take Back the Night , ' nicks the thrill ...

First song of pop star's upcoming sequel to '20/20' sounds a little too much like he's channeling the King of Pop justintimberlakeVEVO

Justin Timberlake clearly "wants to be startin' something" with his latest single.

Unfortunately, it could almost be a law suit.

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The song, titled "Take Back The Night," released Friday, has a defining bass line that's suspiciously close to the one that pumps Michael Jackson 's classic 1983 single "Wanna Be Startin' Something." It also mimics that track's smooth and breathy, falsetto lead vocal.

To be fair, the song does have its own melody, even if it's one that clearly recalls the King of Pop's work in his "Thriller" heyday.

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Such a striking resemblance in a bass line comes of a piece with Robyn Thicke's smash single, "Blurred Lines," which uses the bass figure from Marvin Gaye's old hit "Got To Give It Up." But that's a credited sample.

"Take Back The Night" serves as the first song teased from Timberlake's upcoming album, "The 20-20 Experience - 2 of 2," to be released September 30th. As it's title implies, it's a sequel to the disc Timberlake released in March, "The 20-20 Experience."

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The album ranks as the sole release of this year to pass the 2 million sales mark. It also ranks as the biggest male debut in 5 years, as well as the top digital debut by a male ever. "20-20" held the No. 1 spot on Billboard's Top 200 for three weeks, boosted by the hot singles "Mirrors" and "Suit & Tie" (featuring Jay-Z).

Timberlake will co-headline Yankee Stadium with Jay-Z on Friday and Saturday July 19th and 20th.

The new album will feature 11 tracks, all written at the same time as those on "20-20."

Like the cuts off that disc, the new "Take Back The Night," gets into a groove and stays there. It lasts over 6 minutes. It also features a silky lead vocal from Timberlake, as well as sumptuous and spiraling strings. But it's the bass line that provides its strongest hook. If its relationship to the one in Jackson's song isn't nearly as flagrant as Lady Gaga's rip-off or Madonna's "Express Yourself" in "Born This Way," it definitely skirts the line. Let's hope the rest of the second "20-20" plows more of its own path.

email:jfarber@nydailynews.com