Even though Keane has been on tour since October 2008 in support of its third album Perfect Symmetry, the Brit rockers seem to have found the time to record a new EP. Titled The Night Train, the eight-song record will be released on May 8th.

The EP, which is titled after the band’s favorite mode of transportation!, was written and recorded in between shows during the aforementioned 2009 world tour. Among the eight selections included are “Looking Back”, the K’Naan-aided “Stop For A Minute”, and a collaboration with Japanese MC Tigarah titled “Ishin Denshin (You’ve Got To Help Yourself)”. What’s more, there’s also a bit of mixup on the vocal front, as main songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Tim Rice-Oxley will get to practice his lead vocal on “Your Love”.

“I think those tracks show us in a completely different light,” frontman Tom Chaplin said of the EP (via NME). No kidding.The Night Train EP will be available for pre-order through the band’s website starting on December 2nd.

But wait, there’s more! To seemingly wrap the whole Perfect Symmetry era up, Keane has also announced a new set of UK tour dates for 2010. These won’t be in your usually theaters and arenas though. The six shows will all take place in forests throughout England. Tickets will go on sale to the general public on December 4th. Keep an eye out for wild animals!

Keane 2010 UK Forests Tour:
06/10 – Suffolk, UK @ Thetford Forest
06/11 – Kent, UK @ Bedgebury Pinetum
06/18 – Gloucestershire, UK @ Westonbirt Arboretum
06/19 – Nottinghamshire, UK @ Sherwood Pines Forest
06/25 – North Yorkshire, UK @ Dalby Forest
06/26 – Staffordshire, UK @ Cannock Chase Forest