Daft Punk are back at last, with their first studio album in eight years due to be released in May 2013. The French electronic dance duo, Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo have signed a new recording deal with the Sony-owned Columbia label, according to The Guardian. This will be the fourth studio album from Daft Punk. Their last, Human After All was released in 2005, though they also created the soundtrack to Tron: Legacy in 2010.

So far, the details of the fourth album are limited but one thing seems to be certain: anyone expecting to see Daft Punk touring in support of the album is likely to be disappointed. There were rumors flying around that they would headline one of the days at Coachella. That proved unfounded, with the Coachella line-up now announced and not including the French dance act. BBC Radio 1 DJ Rob da Bank – who also curates Bestival on the Isle of Wight – has revealed that he was told Daft Punk would not be touring in 2013. The last time they played the UK was in 2007, at the Wireless festival.

What is known about Daft Punk’s movements in this lengthy gap between releases is that they have been collaborating with the likes of Chic’s Nile Rogers, Feist collaborator Chilly Gonzales and Animal Collective’s Panda Bear. They’re also said to have been working with the legendary disco pioneer Giorgio Moroder, though it’s unclear how much of the material they’ve worked on over the last few years will actually make it onto the 2013 album release. Mystery may shroud this Daft Punk release but word of its arrival is still bug news for Daft Punk fans. The wait is finally over.  

Watch the video for Daft Punk's 'Superheroes'