September 22, 2012 12:44

No Doubt's Gwen Stefani: 'My solo albums were never meant to be taken seriously'

Singer says records allowed her to 'indulge my girlyside' – but says solo work was essentially an 'art project'

Photo: Press

No Doubt's Gwen Stefani has insisted that her solo albums were "never meant to be taken seriously".

The singer recorded a pair of records with high-profile producers such as Dr Dre and the Neptunes during her band's hiatus but, in an interview with the Guardian, she compared her solo output to an extended "art project".

With the band set to release their sixth studio album 'Push And Shove' on Monday (September 24), the frontwoman said: "It just feels so much more natural being back in this mode. The solo records allowed me to indulge my girly side but it was never meant to be taken seriously.

"It was just like an art project that kept going longer than I expected," she added. "The group never ended – we always knew we’d come back to make this album."

Stefani also revealed that her husband, Bush frontman Gavin Rossdale, wasn’t fond of her band's work. "Oh, he's never been a fan of what we do," she said. "He's more into dark, indie stuff. But I’m not saying he doesn't think I'm amazing."

Earlier this month (September 7), Stefani claimed that she never wanted to make another solo LP and insisted that she was happy and creatively fulfilled recording again with No Doubt. 'Push And Shove', meanwhile, will be the band's first album since 2001's 'Rock Steady' – you can watch the video for the record's single 'Settle Down' by scrolling down and clicking below.

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