Maximo Park working on 'funny groove'-led new album

Maximo Park are currently working on their third studio album, which is set to include new songs 'Tanned' and 'Questing'.

Frontman Paul Smith told XFM that the new songs showcase a new direction for the band, and hinted that the follow-up to 2007's 'Our Earthly Pleasures' may be released in early 2009.

"I like intriguing people with the names [of the songs]," he said. "But I don't know what people are going to make of these ones. They sound quite different... there's a funny groove to them.

"'Tanned' has a lurching groove to it, like The Fall," the singer added. "'Questing' has a head-noddy groove. It's quite an uplifting song, whereas 'Tanned' is quite dark, but also has this big lift in it."

When asked when the new album is likely to be released, Smith said: "I don't want to get trapped into the whole schedule thing, it becomes far too businesslike.

"But we're working every day on the songs. Personally, I'd like to get the songs out January or February next year which would mean recording this autumn, and I don't see why we can't."