SHANE MacGowan has returned to the studio for the first time in nearly a decade to work on his comeback solo album.

The Irish Sun can reveal the former Pogues singer has recorded five songs for his much-anticipated long-player at an undisclosed studio in Ireland.

2 Shane MacGowan in the studio working on his album with Johnny Cronin

2 Shane's new tracks for the solo album have been described as like a 'raging storm' Credit: Andres Poveda Photograqhy

Legendary rocker Shane, 62, is backed on the new album by Irish indie band Cronin, featuring brothers Johnny and Mick Cronin.

Johnny told the Irish Sun: “Most acts mellow as they get older but Shane is heading in the other direction.

“I’d liken his new songs to a raging storm. They’ve nearly taken the roof off the studio. Shane is still a punk.”

ROCKING OUT

The Westmeath musician revealed how being confined to a wheelchair hasn’t stopped Shane from rocking out during the sessions.

Johnny explained: “Shane is in such fine voice.

“He’s been blasting his way through vocal takes and amazing everybody with his energy. It’s incredibly exciting to be recording with Shane.

"Not only is he great craic but he has such presence, and so many ideas, they’re spilling out of him.”

The first five cuts recorded are being described as “raw timeless punk” and as incendiary as early Pogues when they burst onto the London music scene in the early 1980s.

NO STOPPING HIM

A listener who heard the sessions told us: “Not even the country going into lock-down as a result of the coronavirus is going to stop Shane.”

Johnny explained: “Shane wants to starts recording again next week but only if everyone is cool with it.

"He feels he’s on a roll recording these songs so he wants to keep going.

“As a musician and fan, I have to pinch myself, I’m in a studio helping to make what is going to be Shane’s comeback.

"Myself and the other lads are going to remember these sessions for the rest of our lives.

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“To say we’re honoured to be involved is putting it mildly”.

Shane’s wife Victoria is among those excited by the sessions, she told the Irish Sun: “Shane loved being back. He had a brilliant time.”

The new album is expected to be out later this year.