Richard Ashcroft returns with new single 'This Is How It Feels' his first release since 2010's United Nations of Sound.

Along with the new single Ashcroft announced details of a new album, due for May 20, titled These People.

Ashcroft went out on the road last year and played a handful of acoustic shows in Spain, Mexico and Switzerland and since then has been posting images on social media of him rehearsing with a new band.

The announcement has been anticipated for some time, and last week he posted another message via Twitter with today’s date, confirming to fans that news was imminent - turns out we didn't just get the announcement, but also the first taste of what to expect.

Ashcroft and longtime collaborator Chris Potter, who has worked with Ashcroft since the early 90s, produced the album. The record also sees the return of Wil Malone on string arrangements; Malone has also collaborated with Ashcroft on a number of occasions in the past.

In a statement Ashcroft talks about how he tackles topics such as the war in Syria, the Arab Spring and the death of a close friend on the new record. He continues in the statement by saying; "to do nothing would be a crime in this sick nihilistic age of war". Speaking about his return he credits the handful of shows last year for helping him make his decision stating, "my lane in the chaos becomes clearer – to be a modern day troubadour".

An interesting listen awaits, then!

These People arrives on May 20, and you can see the track listing below - head all the way down to wrap your ears around the first cut.

'Out Of My Body'
'This Is How It Feels'
'They Don’t Own Me'
'Hold On'
'These People'
'Everybody Needs Somebody To Hurt'
'Pictures Of You'
'Black Lines'
'Ain’t The Future So Bright'
'Songs Of Experience'