U2 album release pushed back to 2009

U2 have pushed back the release of their twelfth studio album until 2009.

Writing on the band's official website, Bono said: "I thought a while back we might have the album wrapped by now, but why come up above ground now if there's more priceless stuff to be found?"

"We know we have to emerge soon but we also know that people don't want another U2 album unless it is our best ever album.

"It has to be our most innovative, our most challenging... or what's the point?"

The frontman adds: "But early next year people will be able to start hearing what we've been doing. We want 2009 to be our year, so we're going to start making an impression very early on."

The group are currently recording in France, following sessions in Fez and Dublin with Brian Eno, Steve Lillywhite and Daniel Lanois.

Songs expected to feature on the record include 'Get On Your Boots', 'For Your Love', 'Breathe', 'No Line On The Horizon' and 'Moment Of Surrender'.