The Shins’ new album is finished, and will be out ‘early next year’

The Shins are set to preview their new album at a series of live dates next month, and band leader James Mercer has now revealed that the band’s fifth record is finished, and will be out ‘early next year’.

In a new radio interview with KBOO 90.7, Mercer said: “I’m really excited about this record. I think we’ve got something that Shins fans will really love, and I think there are some other things on there that are different enough.” He also called his songwriting “better than ever”.

Continuing, Mercer said: “I made a concerted effort on some songs to fit the palette, to use the palette that I’ve historically used for the band. I think it’s really strong.”

The band are set to play End of the Road and Electric Picnic festivals early next month, with a tiny London headline show also set for September, taking place at Village Underground.

Listen in to the new interview below.