In our exclusive interview, Ashcroft discusses his new album (released under the moniker RPA And the United Nations of Sound) and talks about its American influences. He ponders 9/11 happening on his birthday: "When 9/11 happened, I was in France and I came back, and my mother-in-law had sent me a birthday card prior to going. It was a fold-out card with a black and white photo of the New York skyline pre-Twin Towers.... It’s the most world-shifting event."

And despite multiple break-ups, he doesn't rule out a reunion of his old band.. "A Verve reunion? "I'd never say never anymore, because it’s a stupid thing to do. People change, opinions change and lives change, so you can never really truly write anything out."

For now though, he has his hands full with the excellent Motown inspired United Nations of Sound. After Q magazine slammed the album as "preposterous." Ashcroft responded: "Take it from Hot Press, it isn’t.”

Read the full interview with Richard Ashcroft in today’s double issue of Hot Press (with Gary Lightbody and Jedward on the covers.)