Natalie Imbruglia has ''started recording a new album''.

The 40-year-old singer is currently promoting an album of covers titled 'Male', her first record in five years, but since getting back into the studio for the LP she had thrown herself back into original music and is already hard at work on her next album.

She said: ''I've started recording a new album already. It's frustrating because I almost want to split myself in two; I'm promoting a new album but I'm also really keen on getting on with the next one. I feel a bit annoyed that I've broken that flow. The sessions have been so great that I don't want to lose what we're doing.''

Natalie's last release was 2009's 'Come To Life', but she suggested her next record will have a much more ''alternative'' sound, drawing inspiration from Kate Bush and indie folk band Daughter.

She explained to the Official Charts website: ''I guess this new album is a good segue between my older stuff and the future stuff. I've tried to identify what is it that I like in the music I listen to, which is much more alternative than what I put out. I try and communicate that to the songwriters and we've created a sound bed to work off, rather than writing songs with a guitar and tried to produce them later, which can be tricky.

''I'm inspired by acts like Daughter and Kate Bush. So far there are lots of electronic beats to it, but it's still very emotional and storytelling. It might well change, but that's where we are at the moment. We're just playing and it's a lot of fun. I'm excited!''