Mos Def refocuses on his music career.

Taking a short break from his budding film career, Mos Def will release a new album in December. Three new songs are now available for streaming on Mos Def’s web site, and if they are any indication of the album’s direction, we’re in for a treat.

Tru3 Magic, his third solo album, will be available December 5 on Geffen Records. “Boogie Man” is the first single, and it features a cymbal-heavy jazz drumbeat paired with a minimal piano melody. “Sun, Moon, Stars” finds Mos Def singing over a simple funk bassline and congo drums. Of the three available for streaming, “Undeniable” is the worst. Despite its generic guitar-lick-driven beat, it still shows he is redirecting his musical career in the right direction.

With his recent influx of major film roles (The Italian Job, The Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy and 16 Blocks), it seemed he had lost interest in his career as a critically acclaimed and politically active rapper and singer. This was further evidenced with his 2004 album, The New Danger, which was uninspired and too eclectic, failing to capture the audience he established with his first solo album and his collaborations with rapper Talib Kweli.

Tru3 Magic is slated to feature production from Kanye West, Pharrell Williams and Rich Harrison, three very talented producers whose sounds should work well with Mos Def. Hopefully his new album can help recapture his patient fanbase who may be frustrated with his apparent increased interest in film roles and decreased interest in making music.