Depeche Mode frontman Dave Gahan has said it was a “joy” to work with his bandmates on their new album.

The group are due to release 'Sounds of the Universe' - the follow-up to 2005's ' Playing The Angel' - on April 20th.

Speaking to BBC 6Music, Gahan said recording had been an unexpectedly pleasurable experience.

"You know, usually, it could be quite a struggle and different things happened during different albums but this one; it's like we showed up to work, we had a great team, Ben Hillier produced the album,” he said.

“Everybody seemed to just have fun doing it."

Gahan added that the group felt like they were “coming back after your summer holiday” when they initially reconvened to begin work on the project.

The album is preceded by the single 'Wrong', which is out now.

As previously reported, the band will play a full European tour this year, which will include just one show in London.

(by Jason Gregory)