"[3] Two days later, on July 12, the full audio for "Take Back the Night" was posted to Timberlake's YouTube channel at noon Eastern time.

As I’ve learned more about the Take Back the Night Foundation, I’m moved by its efforts to stop violence against women, create safe communities and encourage respectful relationships for women—Something we all should rally around.

"[7] The anti-rape organization, for their part, has decided not to pursue any suit against the singer, with Koestner saying, "At this point, we’re going to bow down gracefully, and accept that fighting this in court probably isn't the best use of anyone's time.

[9] It carries a "sleek, rhythmic pop production",[3] with instrumentation consisting of stirring strings, percolating percussion horn stabs, thumping bass and waka-waka guitars.

[4][9][10] Jason Lipshutz of Billboard wrote that the song "nods to Off the Wall-era Michael Jackson",[4] while MTV News' James Montgomery declared "Take Back the Night" a "sumptuous slice" of "Off the Wall-indebted disco" that seems "custom-made for roller rinks everywhere (or at least the five that are still open for business in 2013)".

[4] Similarly, a reviewer of Spin wrote that the song has a distinct Jackson vibe, "throwing back to soul's post-disco evolution, infusing dance floor rhythms with impeccable class.

A reviewer of Fact wrote, "Horn-addled and packed with the kind of effortless swagger the singer exudes so well, 'Take Back the Night' will no doubt field comparisons to prime-era Michael Jackson, and that’s no bad thing at all.

Writing for Vulture, Amanda Dobbins praised the "poorly named, pretty fun single" for being "a solid one, with a heavy disco vibe and the all-important handclaps" but also frowned upon its length.

[16] Lewis Corner of Digital Spy gave the song 3 stars out of 5 in a review that observed: "While the final result won't have us running off to dust down the disco ball and whip out the flared trousers, its subtle funk is enough to keep our attention firmly focussed on what's to come.

"[18] Mikael Wood of the Los Angeles Times gave the song a mixed review, describing it as a "weak outtake from The 20/20 Experience; it's plush but not luxurious, funky but not propulsive".

[26] In the United Kingdom, the song also failed to reach the top-twenty, peaking at number 22, remaining one of his lowest charting solo singles, only losing to "Tunnel Vision".

According to a press release, the video "harkens back to the days when nightlife ruled the city and beckons everyone within earshot that the night holds endless possibilities."

Beginning on July 30 at 7am, fans can visit a custom website for a "virtual journey throughout New York City", which will offer fun facts about the music video.