Despite a busy 2007 which saw the release of the band’s third studio album and an extensive world tour, Kings of Leon have been working on their follow up to Because of the Times since last fall and reportedly close to finishing the final touches on the album at their studio in Nashville.

Though the album promises to “rock harder,” it will also be full of melodies and “beautiful songs,” a result, according to frontman Caleb Followill’s post-surgery pill taking and the band’s drinking all day lifestyle.

“I don’t know if it was the pills or what, but the melodies were so much stronger than anything I’ve ever done — it’s just really beautiful songs.”

“We had to get drunk because we all have girlfriends to go home to and deal with,” he says, before passing the phone to drummer Nathan, who adds, “Caleb just blew a .12 on the Breathalyzer we have here.”

[Rolling Stone]

The currently untitled album, set for release sometime in September, still doesn’t have a tracklist, though two songs, entitled “Cold Desert” and “Crawl”, are among the new tracks expected to appear on the band’s fourth full-length effort.

Kings of Leon 2008 U.S. Tour Dates:
06/11 – West Palm Beach, FL @ Cruzan Amphitheatre *
06/12 – Tampa, FL @ St. Pete Times Forum *
06/16 – Columbia, SC @ Colonial Center *
06/17 – Virginia Beach, VA @ Verizon Wireless Amphitheater *
08/09 – Jersey City, NJ @ All Points West Festival

* = w/ Pearl Jam

TAGGED AS: Kings of Leon