The Pipettes Head to the '70s on New Album

A lot has changed for '60s-inspired British girl group the Pipettes since they released their sugary pop debut, 'We Are the Pipettes,' in 2006. Two of the three founding members, Rose Elinor "Rosay" Dougall and Rebecca "Riotbecki" Stephens, departed the group in 2008, and a replacement member, Anna McDonald, left the band last year after a six-month stint.

Yet with sophomore album 'Earth Vs. the Pipettes' set for a June 28 release on Fortuna Pop! Records and a UK tour about to begin, the revolving door of members hasn't phased the retro-pop dynamic of the Pipettes, which now consists of original member Gwenno Saunders, her sister Ani Saunders and their backing band, the Cassette.

"[Dougall and Stephens] wanted to go off and do their own thing, but a majority of us wanted to keep going and create something new within the construct of the Pipettes," Gwenno Saunders tells Spinner. "The aim of the group has changed, and we've become more confident musically."

After taking 'We Are the Pipettes' on tour in Europe, the US, Australia and Japan for over a year, Saunders and the rest of the remaining group were excited to return to the studio. The Pipettes recorded with producer Martin Rushent over the past year and created a more "dance-based record" that draws upon '70s pop and disco.

Gwenno says that the addition of her sister also brought the group a gifted songwriting talent, despite Ani's lack of professional work. "I knew she had a brilliant ear and loved pop music," she says. "Ani's brought huge enthusiasm to the group when we needed it."

After the release of dreamy single 'Our Love Was Saved by Spacemen' in February, the Pipettes issued the deliciously glamorous video for new track 'Stop the Music' last month. The group's first proper tour as a duo will kick off April 18 in Manchester, UK, and will wrap up in May. Along the way, the Pipettes will stop at the 'The JD Set' TV program on May 5 and perform one of Rushent's biggest hits as a producer, 'Don't You Want Me' by the Human League.

Saunders hopes to embark on another tour as extensive as her last following the release of 'Earth Vs. the Pipettes.' Although the group might not sport their signature polka-dot dresses from the last album, Gwenno promises new dance moves and a similar aesthetic. "We're a little more grown-up now, but we'll still have costumes and care about our appearance," she says. "It's not going to look like we just rolled out of bed."