The Libertines' Carl Barat Completes Debut Solo Album

Former Libertines singer and guitarist Carl Barat has revealed he has completed work on his debut solo album, although a release date is still to be confirmed.

Barat -- who is currently acting in a two-man play, 'Fool for Love,' alongside actress Sadie Frost -- told BBC Newsbeat that his solo album is a change in direction from his previous releases with the Libertines and Dirty Pretty Things. He said, "It's definitely different from the Libertines. It's different from anything I've done before. It's more me."

The musician, split from his other band last October, described the new as-yet-untitled album as sounding "kind of naked, kind of stripped down. It's more piano based.@ he added, "It's a bit older -- like myself really."

In an update on the the Libertines oft-rumoured reunion, mostly stemming from Pete Doherty, Barat only says "I still see them all regularly."

Barat told NME last year that he is too busy this year to make that reunion happen, saying, "When it needs to happen, it will fall into place. It's more of a way of life than a band for me."

Barat's first theatre role, at Hammersmith Studios in west London, ends its run on March 21. Live solo dates have not been announced as yet.