Stevie Wonder confirms first new albums in eight years

Stevie Wonder has confirmed he will be releasing two more albums after an eight year hiatus (Getty Images)

Stevie Wonder has confirmed he will be releasing fresh material next year, ending an eight year hiatus since his last album.

The 63-year-old soul and R&B singer-songwriter said two records of new material will be made public in 2014. A third gospel-inspired album dedicated to his late mother Lula is also in the pipeline.

“I might sing a gospel song in Arabic or do something in Hebrew,” he said, adding: “I want to mix it up and do it differently than one might imagine.

“Obviously the good word at the end of the day, it's not about the religion, it's about the relationship. And I think we all need to check our relationship," he said.

He attributed his rekindled creativity to events in his life including filing for divorce against his wife Karen Millard-Morris last year. He also told Sky News he had taken inspiration from hip-hop.

“I listen a lot to rap, and I'm inspired to take it, to use it in another way, to get the message across," he explained.

The albums, entitled When the World Began and Ten Billion Hearts, will be his first since 2005’s A Time to Love.

When the World Began will be produced by David Foster, who has been behind successful records by Michael Bublé, Christina Aguilera and Beyoncé.

Earlier this year, Wonder told Rolling Stone magazine that his new music would be accompanied by an orchestra.