Justin Timberlake puts music career on hold

Don't hold your breath for a new Justin Timberlake album – the singer turned actor says he has no plans for a follow-up to FutureSex/LoveSounds. "I'll know when I know," he explained this week. "And until I know, I don't know." A decade ago, Timberlake was crooning and strutting as a leader of 'N Sync. Today, he's playing the "serious" actor, starring in David Fincher's film The Social Network. Although he has occasionally appeared on songs – for Timbaland's solo album last year, a comedy rap last week , and a recent chillwave train-wreck with Diddy and Lil Wayne – Timberlake is in no hurry to go back on tour. "I just don't know [in] what capacity I want to be involved [in music] any more," he recently told Entertainment Weekly. Part of the trouble is that Timberlake's profile as a musician, with songs such as SexyBack and LoveStoned, can be at odds with the image of an Oscar-worthy thespian. "[As an actor] I have to fight against my music career," he said. "But I [don't] care. I loved the part [in The Social Network] and I wanted to do work with David [Fincher] so bad that I was like, 'We can read this scene butt naked if you guys want' ... I tested more than anyone." Although Timberlake promised he will "never stop making music", he seems to have checked out of his major label's release schedule. "Does a painter make a painting because he has to make it by 21 December?" the pop star asked. "No, he doesn't. It happens when it pours out of him. That's how music is for me." Perhaps he could make an 'N Sync biopic.