French duo's first studio album in eight years – due in May – may feature collborations with Giorgio Moroder and Gonzales

Daft Punk will release their first studio album in eight years in May.

The French dance duo, which consists of Thomas Bangalter and Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo, have signed a new record deal with the Sony-owned Columbia label.

Little is known about the outfit's planned fourth studio album, although Chic co-founder Nile Rodgers recently hinted that it would be released soon. Oscar-winning songwriter Paul Williams, Feist collaborator Chilly Gonzales, Animal Collective's Panda Bear and disco pioneer Giorgio Moroder (via a spoken monologue) are among those who have reportedly collaborated with the duo over the past couple of years, although what form their contributions to the new record might take is unclear.

The duo last played in the UK at Wireless festival in 2007, but the chances of new live shows are not promising. Bestival organiser and BBC Radio 1 DJ Rob da Bank said earlier this year that he had been told the band would not tour in 2013, while rumours that that they would headline the Coachella festival in California in April proved unfounded.

Daft Punk released their debut album Homework in 1997, followed by Discovery and Human After All in 2001 and 2005. Their most recent release was the soundtrack for Tron: Legacy in 2010.

The pair also made a cameo (of sorts) in an episode of The Simpsons last year.