MARC Almond is to release his first new studio album for five years, The Velvet Trail, on March 9 through Cherry Red Records.

The former lead singer of cult Leeds electronic duo Soft Cell had previously hinted that his 2010 album Varieté would be his last recording to feature his own original material. However, English producer, songwriter and Almond fan Chris Braide was determined to change his mind and succeeded after sending him a trio of tracks written especially for Almond.

Based in Los Angeles, Braide has worked with Lana Del Ray, Beyoncé, Britney Spears and David Guetta in the past and vowed to add Almond to the list.

"I simply had to get in touch to try and tempt him to do the exact opposite," he says. "It was such an absurd idea to think there would be no more new Marc Almond original songs. This is the man who wrote Say Hello Wave Goodbye and we need more of those passionate, unique and original songs. Just like Bowie and Bolan before him, he's a true original."

Almond, who sang with Jools Holland and His Rhythm & Blues Orchestra at York Barbican last November, takes up the story. "I felt the songwriting muse had left me, possibly forever. Then an email arrived with three instrumental tracks. I got goose bumps," he says.

"I was blown away. Chris had an understanding of the chord changes I adored, of the sounds I loved; songs in minor keys with big dark dramatic pianos and strings. I sat down to write, both excited and inspired. Three songs were written in a matter of days: Minotaur. a dramatic song about rage and animal passions; Scar, a torch song about deception, and Winter Sun, a melancholic reflective song about fading love.”

Almond and Braide continued their long-distance arrangement with enthusiasm. Braide would send new songs to Almond; in turn Marc would record the vocals and send files back. They would exchange several long emails a day, discussing ideas as well as music, films and T.Rex, inspiring each other as the chemistry deepened.

“I didn’t have to labour over lyrics, as they came to me, sometimes telling a story and often abstract, a colourful line or an image was enough”, Almond recalls.

To keep that chemistry unaltered, they decided not to speak on the phone until the record was complete and only then would they meet, over tea, at The Delauney in London.

The album takes the form of three acts: Act One comprising Bad To Me, Zipped Black Leather Jacket, Scar and Pleasure’s Wherever You Are; Act Two of Minotaur, Earthly, The Pain Of Never and Demon Lover; Act Three of When The Comet Comes, Life In My Own Way, Winter Sun, The Velvet Trail and Finale.

“Chris saw the record as one journey, one record you put on from beginning to end, linking tracks with musical interludes," says Almond. "This a reaction against the downloaded digital age, where individual tracks are taken or albums re-arranged in different orders. I always see my records as a show running from beginning to end that takes you on a ride."

Highlighting individual tracks, Almond says: "Some of the songs have a more personal melancholy, being reflective and evocative, like The Velvet Trail, a song about memories, nostalgia, childhood and death, and so it is too with The Pain Of Never, Chris's personal favourite. He wanted to create his ultimate Marc Almond record, electric, lush, emotional, dark and sexy and I felt inspired by his tunes and production to deliver just that."

The album will be available as a CD digipack, a limited UK edition CD and DVD and limited-edition double LP with a poster and two bonus tracks. Its release will be followed by a spring tour, including Leeds Town Hall on April 24. "I'm really excited about the tour and the new album," says Almond. "I can't wait to perform some of the songs live. This will be one of the most exciting shows I’ve ever staged”.

Tickets are on sale at gigsandtours.com and ticketmaster.co.uk or on 0844 811 0051 and 0844 826 2826.