Anticipated for release in October through Sup Pop, the Shins third album - the follow-up to 2003's crtically acclaimed Chutes Too Narrow - was orginally expected in the summer.

Recording commenced last September with producer Phil Ek in Seattle, but the project is being  finished at frontman James Mercer's studio.  Speaking to Billboard.com, Mercer revealed, "It seems to be not very effective for me to try and write new material out on tour.  I'm so out of sorts, just being in a hotel. We never have time, either. You're either recovering or you're in a van driving."

The band hit the UK shores on 17-18 May with two dates at London's Koko.  These warm-up gigs precede their appearance at the All Tomorrow's Parties Festival at Camber Sands on May 21.

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