Maroon 5 are one of those bands that just don't know when to slow down, and the constantly at work boy band are as busy as ever it would seem following the announcement that they are already a few songs into the follow-up to last years Overexposed album. Obviously doing time in the studio isn't unusual for bands, but their progress comes as a surprise given everything else the band have to look forward to, including an upcoming summer tour with Kelly Clarkson and frontman Adam Levine's commitment to The Voice.

Adam Levine
Adam Levine has been a busy man over the past few months, and it looks as though he has no signs of slowing down.

Levine was speaking to the Associated Press recently about the band's on-going commitments, when he was quizzed on the progress of what will be the group's fifth album. He told AP that the album is still in the early stages but they are excited for people to hear to songs nonetheless. He said,"We're just getting started. We've got some great songs in the can."

Meanwhile, the group's guitarist also spoke to AP about the progress of the album, when he revealed that the group will be experimenting with a dark, less radio-friendly sound for most of the tracks. He said, "The stuff we're working on now, it definitely has gone maybe a little darker in its sound, maybe back a little bit more to what we kind of did on (our debut) Songs About Jane."

Maroon 5
Maroon 5 are ready to hit the road again soon

As for the group's upcoming plans for the road, Levine and co. will begin their 31-date tour with Clarkson on August 1 in St. Louis, running on until October 5 where they will close things off in San Diego. Rozzi Crane, who is signed to Levine's 222 Records label, Young Money's  PJ Morton and former-The Voice contestant Tony Lucca will be joining Maroon 5 and Clarkson on tour as the opening acts.