British Sea Power Say Mystery New Album Is a 'Scorcher'

British Sea Power have revealed details of their forthcoming new album -- and say it's "an absolute scorcher." The full-length follow-up to 2009's 'Man of Aran,' the band's frontman Scott Wilkinson adds that the record is "the most diverse" collection of songs they've recorded to date.

Talking exclusively to Spinner, he also says that the band had so many songs left over from the recording sessions, it is releasing a massive nine-track EP including some of them next month -- which will be called 'Zeus.'

Wilkinson says, "We rejected them from the album because they didn't fit. They weren't bad, they were just a bit odd or something.

"It's the 'Zeus' EP. It's not the god really, but the van we drive round in is called the Zeus. It's a magical Transit van."

As for the album, due out early in 2011, the singer says that BSP's record company has given them plenty of time to finish it, considering it was due out next month.

As to why it was pushed back, Wilkinson laughs. "Lack of skill? Ha ha. No, it's not really a big delay, it's a similar thing to our last record. It's natural consequences. Rough Trade like us so they just say, 'Do what you want,' and they hope we finish on time, but I think it's a bit of a luxury probably.

"We could have finished a bit ago, but we wouldn't have been happy with it, so we just asked to do a bit more."

The Brighton-based indie rockers were nominated for the Mercury Prize in 2008 with album 'Do You Like Rock Music?,' their biggest success to date, which reached No. 10 in the UK charts.

Of the new LP, Wilkinson expands further and says he remains confident it can equal past glories. "It's an absolute scorcher!" he exclaims. "Oh dear, I'm being Alan Partridge again. Seriously though, our label boss says it's the most diverse collection of songs we've had so far.

"If you took our last one, our first one ['The Decline of British Sea Power'], and our 'Man Of Aran' soundtrack and sent them to Rick Stein's birthday party, they'd sound a bit like that. That's more accurate than you think. That's why I'm not a journalist, though."

As for the title, the witty frontman plays his cards close to his chest.

"What's it called? I can't tell you. I almost did then as well, haha. I'll tell you what the initials are. It's V.D. We just keep getting better!" he giggles.