Dido's new album reflects her happy state of mind.

The 41-year-old singer has returned to the music scene with her first LP in four years, 'The Girl Who Got Away', and she says she was a lot more relaxed when writing it than she had been her previous records.

Dido - who has a 19-month-old son, Stanley - said: ''I think after all those years of success and being a rabbit caught in the headlights, you get confident about what you can do and what you're capable of doing, so there was a different approach making this record.

''Less pressure and just being happy about life certainly rubs off. I can be myself and show my best.

''Writing this album was a blast. Going to America and catching up with people. I lived in LA for a while so it's always great to return there.''

However, she admits finding the time to write songs is a lot harder now she's a mother.

She told The Sun newspaper: ''I just don't really have those lonely big times any more. When I'm writing I like to be on my own. I'd have a bottle of wine, get p**sed and write some songs.

''It doesn't really happen any more. I don't get any time to myself. I have to find other ways to write, or forge time when I have a bit of brain space to write.

''To be honest, I haven't managed too brilliantly so far. I made some of this album pre-Stanley and then had a huge break as I got used to motherhood. That was a shock.''