U2 "likely" to release new album in 2012

U2 have revealed that it is "quite likely" they will release new material next year.

The band finished up their record-breaking world tour in the summer and have since been working on the follow-up to 2009's No Line on the Horizon.

However, U2 maintained that fans will not be able to hear the new tracks until next year as they want to spend some time getting "lost in the music".

When asked by Rolling Stone what's next for the group, Bono replied: "I'm not sure the future hasn't dried up. The band are like, 'Will you shut up about being irrelevant?'"

The Edge said: "It's quite likely you might hear from us next year, but it's equally possible that you won't."

Bono added: "We have so many [new] songs, some of our best. I"m putting some time aside to just go and get lost in the music."

Meanwhile, U2 will release a repackaged version of their 1991 album Achtung Baby on October 31 to celebrate its 20th anniversary.

The new edition will also feature their recent documentary From The Sky Down, which was directed by Davis Guggenheim.

> U2 skipped college to start band, says Adam Clayton - From The Sky Down video preview

Watch U2 speak to NASA Commander Mark Kelly during their '360' world tour below: