The band will release the album later this year

Singer Simon Le Bon said the band are nearly finished recording the record, which will be released later this year on Epic Records.

It will be the first album Le Bon, John Taylor, Nick Rhodes, Roger Taylor and Andy Taylor have released since Seven and the Ragged Tiger in 1983.

"It's very similar to how it worked 20 years ago," Le Bon said.

"Everybody's a little bit more open to how they feel about stuff," he said.

The band's definitive line-up recorded some of the biggest chart hits of the 1980s, including Girls On Film, Rio, Hungry Like the Wolf and The Reflex.

Brits honour

The band had started to fragment in 1985, with Le Bon, keyboardist Rhodes and drummer Roger Taylor recording an album as the side-project Arcadia.

They reunited to begin work on the new album in 2001.

They played reunion shows last year around the world, before being honoured with an outstanding contribution award at the 2004 Brits.

Le Bon said the band did not intend to stick to the sound of their 80s heyday.

"I don't think it would work if we tried to repeat that," he said.

The band played a co-headline tour with Robbie Williams last year

But he also added the group were not trying to update their sound too much.

"We wouldn't want to lose them by trying too hard by trying to connect with a new audience," the singer said.

Le Bon also said the five members were getting on very well.

"We're like any people who get very close. Sometimes you argue with each other. But the fact is we inspire each other musically.