The collection finds her working with one of the most respected and influential producers of the past ten years, Nellee Hooper, whose star-studded C.V. includes Soul II Soul, Massive Attack, Bjork, Gwen Stefani, U2, Madonna, No Doubt and Garbage.
The rumoured titled is Present, although Hotpress understands that a final decision on this has yet to be taken by the singer.
“I think people can expect the unexpected,” one insider who has heard the recordings tells the HP Newsdesk. “Nellee Hooper has brought something very different out of Andrea – it’s brilliant stuff.”
All of the songs on the album are Andrea Corr originals, with the exception of a cover of Squeeze’s ‘Take Me I’m Yours’, which is an obvious contender for single release. In addition to Hooper’s input, further intrigue is added by the fact that Bono – a good friend of Andrea’s – has pitched in along the way with ideas and assistance.
“It could be one of the biggest records of the year,” is the verdict of a prominent UK industry insider. “Nellee Hooper’s done some incredible and hugely successful work with women singers, and Andrea is ready for it. She’s a mature woman now, with the kind of life experience behind her to make a record of real depth.”
The album is set for late Spring release on Atlantic, the company that’s also home to The Corrs.
Big things are expected too in ‘06 of Paddy Casey who’s currently recording his third album in Los Angeles with former Rick Rubin associate George Drakoulias.
Having gone multi-platinum in Ireland with 2004’s Living – 165,000 copies and rising – the Dubliner will be looking to replicate his domestic success abroad.
On the comeback trail is Samantha Mumba who has a new set in the can and awaiting March release.
Her cause is being aided by legendary British concert promoter Harvey Goldsmith who’s producing a fly-on-the-wall documentary about the singer that’ll be screened on Channel 4.
“It’s about my everyday life,” Mumba reveals. “Being in the studio, getting ready to come back, rehearsing, performing, things not going right, things going really write…it’s a little bit of everything.”
The year’s other key Irish album releases include:
Oppenheimer: Oppenheimer (January 29)
High Llamas: Can Cladders (February 19)
Nina Hynes & The Husbands: Really Really Do (February)
The Thrills: Title TBA (February)
Ash: Title TBA (March)
Delorentos: Title TBA (March)
Sinéad O’Connor: Theology (April)
Dolores O’Riordan: Are You Listening? (May)
The Flaws: Title TBA (Spring)
Maria Doyle-Kennedy: Mutter (Spring)
Jacknife Lee: Title TBA (Spring)
U2: Title TBA (Autumn)
Roisin Murphy: Title TBA (Autumn)
Jetplane Landing: Backlash Cop (TBA)