With few exceptions — “Breathe Again” and “You’re Makin’ Me High” being two — my most favorite Toni Braxton moments have been accompanied by a beat. Traditionally her smoky-voiced songs have been remixed for peak-hour dancefloor pleasure, rather than being club-ready right out of the box.

Braxton changed the game today with the surprise arrival of “I Heart You,” a track she penned and produced, delivering it as a gift to her fans. “When I wrote this song I was thinking about the feeling you get when you walk into a club and you hear the melody,” she says. “You feel the beat and you just know it’s going to be a good night.”

I can’t recall having heard Braxton in such strong vocal form (and using her upper register) in a very long time. She really lets loose on “I Heart You.” And the frenzied synth workout that follows after she sings, “I think I’m gonna dance,” is amazing. Make room on the floor for a returning diva!

Now can I get a proper remix of “Breathe Again”?

Free download of Toni Braxton – “I Heart You.”