It’s been seven years since The Last Shadow Puppets released their debut album, The Age Of The Understatement and fans have been eagerly awaiting the follow-up ever since. But after a long hiatus it appears we could be welcoming the trio back next year, according to drummer and producer James Ford.

Alex TurnerArctic Monkeys and The Last Shadow Puppets frontman Alex Turner.

Speaking to Chilean music site Rock & Pop, Ford, who is also the band’s producer and a member of Simian Mobile Disco, said the band have recorded their second album. "This year, I’ve just done a Last Shadow Puppets record, which is the guy from Arctic Monkeys and Miles," Ford said.

More: Why Have Arctic Monkey's Scrapped Plans For A New Album?

When asked if he knew when the album would be released, Ford added: “It will be out next year sometime.” Ford's comments come months after Arcade Fire touring member Owen Pallett, who arranged the strings on The Age Of The Understatement, tweeted that he had worked on the band’s new record.

‘That rare and thrilling moment when the record you're working on crosses the threshold into Classic Status #tlsp,’ read the tweet, which was later deleted. The Last Shadow Puppets were formed as a supergroup in 2007, by Arctic Monkeys lead singer Alex Turner, former member of The Rascals, Miles Kane and Ford. 

More: Arctic Monkeys Play Storming Reading Headlining Set Before Hiatus

Their debut album, The Age Of The Understatement, entered the UK Album Chart at number one upon its release in April 2008. The record was also nominated for the Mercury Music Prize that year. While Turner and Kane have appeared onstage together in recent years, the band have effectively been on hiatus since 2009.