this was a nice surprise in my inbox this morning

I knew a new SFA album was coming this year but I thought we'd have to wait at least until late spring, if not summer.

From the official mailing list:

--
SUPER FURRY ANIMALS ANNOUNCE NEW ALBUM

Digital release 16th March on the band's own website -
www.superfurry.com, physical release 13th April on Rough Trade Records,
21st April for U.S. release.

Super Furry Animals are currently hard at work on their 9th studio album in
Cardiff.. Since 2007's 'Hey Venus' the band have been keeping busy
with their various side projects including Daf and Guto's acclaimed
work as part of The Peth with Rhys Ifans, Cian's forthcoming Acid
Casuals release and Som Bom techno nights in London and of course
Gruff's Mercury nominated work with Neon Neon.

Currently with a tracklisting but without a title the band promise;
"Musically it's based around riffs and grooves we've been playing
around with over the last few years. We have enough now for a whole
album so even though it's still very melodic we thought we could
leave off the acoustic ballads for the time being."

"It's recognisable as a melodic SFA record, but is very focused
musically as a cohesive album. And no country rock as Daf has
developed a pedal steel phobia. Which has confined the great
Nashvillian instrument along with the Saxophone to the banned
instrument directive of the SFA board. there's only one slow number
which isn't slow at all."

Longtime cohorts Pete Fowler will combine with legendary Japanese
artist Tanaami for the album artwork, which is sure to result in a
feast for the eyes.

The album is due for digital release on the 16th March via the bands
own website (www.superfurry.com), the physical following on the 13th
of April on Rough Trade Records.

Super Furry Animals have some more tricks up their sleeve which we
will be announcing a little closer to the release date - watch this
space for more information!

Working Title Tracklisting

1.'The very best of Neil Diamond'
2. White socks/Flip Flops.
3. Inaugural Trams.
4. Sounds Familiar.
5. Cardiff in the sun.
6. Where do you wanna go?
7. LLiwiau LLachar.
8. Mountain.
9. Moped eyes.
10. Inconvenience.
11. Crazy Naked Girls.
12. Earth.
13. Prick.
--

Is this the rumored instrumental album? Is 'Earth' the short oddball number performed on the "Hey Venus!" tour? The first Welsh language SFA song since "Mwng"? Pete Fowler AND Tanaami working together? A new SFA and a new PSB album in consecutive release weeks? How exciting! :)