Gwen Stefani: 'My solo albums were never meant to be taken seriously'
The No Doubt frontwoman told The Guardian that 2004's Grammy-nominated LP Love Angel Music Baby and 2006 follow-up The Sweet Escape were nothing more than an "art project".
PA Images / Francois Mori/AP
"It just feels so much more natural being back in this mode," she said of reuniting with the band.
"The solo records allowed me to indulge my girly side but it was never meant to be taken seriously.
"It was just like an art project that kept going longer than I expected. The group never ended - we always knew we'd come back to make this album."
The 42-year-old singer also revealed that No Doubt began work on their upcoming sixth album Push and Shove in 2008, but initially struggled with the writing process.
PA Images / Joan Leong/AP/
"I was just burned out," she said. "I'd done the two [solo] albums, the two tours, I'd had the two babies - there had been a lot of output in those years [since the band's last release Rock Steady].
"When you first have a baby your life doesn't really change. You're tired but it's nothing compared to when they grow and they're humans and they need you. By the time we were making this record my toddler was becoming a little guy and school, and oh my God, it was super challenging."
Bassist T! ony Kanal added: "All of us have kids now but, for the rest of us it's much easier in the studio as our wives are looking after them. But for Gwen it's a whole different thing and seeing her struggle trying to be a great musician and great mum became the basis of the album."
No Doubt's new album Push and Shove is released in the UK on Monday (September 24) and a day later in the US. The band recently announced that the third single from the LP will be 'Looking Hot'.
Listen to 'Looking Hot' below:
Comments