Nearly a year after we almost lost our minds at the mere idea of a Culture Club reunion, Boy George has returned to tell us that the rumors are, indeed, true. Speaking on BBC Breakfast, the 49-year-old androgyny prince said that the reunion is set for 2012, but that he’s going to warm up with the release of his latest solo album – and first set of non-DJ songs since 2002’s U Can Never B2 Straight – titled Ordinary Alien.

Set for release on February 1st (via Ultra Music), the 14-song set was produced by Boy George – who was born George Alan O’Dowd – and Germany’s dance music guru Kinky Roland. Lead single “Amazing Grace” opens with thumping, Night At The Roxbury-ish bass and even features a foreign language third verse. The whole album is streaming on SoundCloud, and if you can’t wait another year before the Culture Club reunion, then you can catch George on one of the “Here and Now” tour’s dates listed below.

George said the reunion will be accompanied by a brand new album and “worldwide tour,” but while we’re hoping that Mark Ronson (who recently collaborated with George on his own “Somebody To Love Me”) gives CC the Duran Duran treatment, anything will be greatly appreciated.

Ticketing info for upcoming dates is available here, and you can pre-order the new album at Amazon.com.

Boy George 2011 Tour Dates:
06/09 – Newport, UK @ Isle of Wight Festival
06/24 – Birmingham, UK @ LG Arena *
06/25 – Liverpool, UK @ Echo Arena *
06/26 – Manchester, UK @ Manchester Evening News Arena *
06/29 – Newcastle, UK @ Metro Radio Arena *
06/30 – Sheffield, UK @ Motorpoint Arena *
07/01 – London, UK @ O2 Arena *
07/02 – Brighton, UK @ Brighton Centre *

*= The Here and Now Tour w/ Jason Donovan, Jimmy Somerville, Belinda Carlisle, Midge Ure, Pepsi & Shirlie, A Flock of Seagulls