‘Ear candy coming your way,’ band writes on its website about first album in 11 years. By John Mitchell No Doubt’s Gwen Stefani Photo: R. Mickshaw/ Getty Images/ Fox No Doubt have finally set the release date for their long -in-the-works sixth studio album, the band’s first in 11 years. The still-untitled set will drop September 25. “We are incredibly excited to share the new music with you. Ear candy coming your way,” the band wrote on its website . “Thank you all so much for your support over the last 25 years. We’re really proud of our new album and we hope you love it as much as we do.” The band began initial work on the album in March 2008, after Gwen Stefani wrapped the tour behind her second solo album, The Sweet Escape. Songwriting on the effort reportedly got off to a slow start because, according to a post from Stefani , she was distracted by her second pregnancy, though she was certain at the time that “this could be the most inspired No Doubt record so far.” Energized by being back together in the studio for the first time since recording 2001’s multiplatinum Rock Steady, the band decided to take a break from recording to hit the road for a wildly successful summer 2009 greatest-hits tour. The band reconvened at bassist Tony Kanal’s personal studio in Hollywood after the tour concluded and spent the majority of 2010 writing and carefully polishing several demos. In January 2011, No Doubt guitarist Tom Dupont posted a message letting fans know that the group transitioned to the Santa Monica studio of producer Mark “Spike” Stent, who also worked on Rock Steady, to officially begin tracking the effort. Last summer, Rolling Stone visited Stent’s studio and sampled several songs the band had recorded. Of the 12 tracks announced at that time, the magazine lavished particular affection on “Settle Down,” calling it a “party-ready reggae blast,” and “One More Summer,” which “updates the band’s ska-pop sound with pounding dance beats, arena-size guitars and a beyond-catchy chorus.” A month after Rolling Stone ‘s studio visit, in late July 2011, the band teamed up in the studio with Major Lazer , the recording name for hip-hop/dance producers Diplo and Switch (Usher, M.I.A., Beyonc
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