Maroon 5’s Next Album Already Underway, but New Sound Is Unclear

Maroon 5 and Kelly Clarkson will hit the road Thursday on this year's Honda Civic Tour, but the group is also working on new music.  Despite the fact that their album Overexposed is still spinning off hits, guitarist James Valentine says the follow-up album is already underway.

Speaking to Billboard, James says of the next Maroon 5 album, "It's still sort of in the early stages. We definitely have a couple of amazing songs that will be on the record...we've got some great stuff started, and we're all very excited."  However, James says that because the album won't be coming out for a while, he can't quite describe what it's going to sound like.

"I thought I had a handle on that, but it kind of keeps changing," says James.  "There was a first batch of songs that seemed like they were darker and maybe a little more organic-sounding, but now there's some other songs that...it's hard to describe."

One thing is confirmed, though: the new album will feature the return of Maroon 5 keyboardist Jesse Carmichael, who sat out this latest album and tour cycle because he just needed a break.  "I think it's completely understandable he wanted to get off the carousel for a second, but I do get the impression that he's eager to get back," says James.

It remains to be seen what will happen first: the release of the new Maroon 5 album, or frontman Adam Levine's wedding to Victoria's Secret model Behati Prinsloo.  Asked on Good Morning America on Tuesday if the newly-engaged couple had set a date, Behati laughed, "Noooo, and if I did, I wouldn't tell you guys. C'mon!"