Ben Howard releases first new music in four years, announces album 'Noonday Dream'

Howard will set out on tour with his band this summer

Ben Howard has released his first new music since his No.1 album I Forget Where We Were was released in 2014.

The musician shared new song "A Boat To An Island On The Wall" and announced a new full-length album, Noonday Dream, to be released on 1 June.

Noonday Dream was recorded in several studios between south west France and south west England, and produced by Howard himself.

"A Boat To An Island On The Wall" is a sprawling, mesmerising track that shifts restlessly, rocking back and forth like that small boat on the waves, with the familar sound of Howard's low, gruff vocals.

Tickets for a new Ben Howard tour go on sale on 13 April, and will include shows in Lisbon, Oslo, Berlin and Paris, plus two dates in London, one in Edinburgh, and one in Cornwall, before he and his band perform at several summer festivals including Rock Werchter in Belgium, Mad Cool Festival in Madrid, and Lollapalooza in Berlin.

Last year The Independent spoke with artist Mickey Smith about his new project involving Howard: A Blaze of Feather, after the band name mysteriously appeared high on the billing for 2017's Citadel festival.

The band also included Howard's longtime collaborators India Bourne, Nat Watson and Rich Thomas, plus former Hiss Golden Messenger drummer Kyle Keegan. Their debut EP was released in May last year.

Ben Howard's new album Noonday Dream is out on 1 June.