David Gray has said he found making his new album a breeze - because he didn't have a record contract at the time.
The Babylon singer said he got a creative spurt during his time away from the spotlight and is back with new record Foundling.
David, who is also touring the US with Ray LaMontagne, said: "I didn't have a record contract. I had no one telling me to stop, so once the music began to flow ... I felt like it gave me a completely new lease of life. I got into a very creative mode. I was writing a lot of new songs."
The singer said he was pleased with the end product.
"It's a listening record. If you're really into lyrics and songwriting, and dwelling on the essence of the song, then this is going to be a record that's powerful for you, as a listener," he claimed.
"There's no big song. There's nothing that's trying to attract your attention. It's not dressed up for the shop window. It's very much a record I made with my deepest instincts."
Foundling is out now.
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