Prince Unveils New Track ‘Screwdriver’ Ahead Of Billboard Honoring [Video]

Prince has released a new track. Provocatively called “Screwdriver,” it’s a delicious mesh of guitar pop and harks back to the Purple One’s Parade era.

Now available on the diminutive star’s website, some like Vulture think the combination of “Screwdriver’s” release, Prince’s Billboard cover, and recent Minneapolis Dakota Jazz Club shows are signs of an imminent new album.

Recent uploadings of Prince recordings to a new YouTube account under the name “3rdEyeGirl” (with a Twitter handle to match) in the past few weeks, have added to musings about a forthcoming album from Prince and the prospect of a look at his new backing band, The Guardian reports.

The site adds that the new backing band — possibly 3rdEyeGirl’s namesakes — are drummer Hannah Ford, guitarist Donna Grantis, and bassist Ida Nielsen.

The plot thickens.

Meanwhile, two videos for Screwdriver — one, a short live version, the other, a lyric video —pound the song’s key hook ((“I’m your driver and you’re my screw”) and invite your attention.

This is a good time for Prince. Shortly to be honored at the 2013 Billboard Music Awards in Las Vegas on Sunday, May 19, the event will honor the legendary artist during a live ABC broadcast from the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

The 54-year-old will receive the Billboard Icon Award and also deliver a set during the broadcast. Last year’s 2012 Icon award recipient, Stevie Wonder, received a multi-song tribute led by “Girl on Fire” singer Alicia Keys, Billboard notes.

As yet, there is no word on who will be presenting Prince’s Icon award.