Rihanna surprised us by popping up at last night’s VMAs to join Eminem on their former #1, “Love The Way You Lie,” wearing a white dress reminiscent of the bridal getup Madonna once rolled around in during her VMA debut (complete with crucifix). But that wasn’t the only treat the Troll Doll redhead had in store for fans. Rihanna later revealed via Twitter that her new single, “Only Girl (In The World),” was available early via iTunes.

The track wasn’t officially scheduled to hit retail until Tuesday, though on Saturday I was tipped off that “Only Girl” was already for sale on Masterbeat.

Produced by longtime collaborators Stargate and the first single from Rihanna’s upcoming album, Loud, I’m especially pumped that “Only Girl” seems to herald a return to the pop/dance sound that made Good Girl Gone Bad such a grabber. (That rave-y chorus, for one, and those “Shut Up and Drive”-like synths, for another.)

Count me among those who were late to embrace Rihanna’s shift in sound on Rated R, eventually giving into the singer’s darker side thanks to the various remixes that were released. That’s why “Only Girl” is right in my musical wheelhouse. There’s no music video yet, so if you haven’t heard the song, listen to it here.

Purchase Rihanna – “Only Girl (In The World)” via iTunes, Amazon MP3. Or pick up the single plus an extended club mix via Masterbeat.