Toto Will Release Their First Album In A Decade This Year

Veteran US outfit Toto, who are probably only recognised these days for being the composers of Africa (and maaaybe Rosanna or Hold The Line), have announced that they will be dusting off their instruments to release their first new album since 2006 this year.

Titled Toto XIV, the band's 14th studio full-length is currently due for release in Oceania on Monday 23 March, a day ahead of the US, with specific dates to follow for territories in Asia, South America and other locations.

The album will be purchasable in CD format, with a "deluxe edition" available featuring a making-of documentary, expanded booklet and other exclusive content, as well as double-LP vinyl, and a "super deluxe" limited-edition, which includes the deluxe CD/DVD, double vinyl, exclusive poster, T-shirt (hope you like large, because that's the only size available, for some reason) and lithograph.

Despite staring down the barrel of their fourth decade together, keyboardist Steve Porcaro — one of several founding members still plugging away for the band — makes it sound as though Toto returned to the studio with a renewed sense of purpose behind the project.

"This is the opposite of going through the motions," he said in a statement. "We are treating this like it is Toto V, our follow-up to Toto IV. We just want to be the best version of ourselves that we can be. Be true to ourselves and make the best music we can. Entertain people, which is what we were put on this Earth for."

"Everybody's performances are top-notch", guitarist Steve Lukather says in an accompanying behind-the-scenes video. "I'm really excited to hear what people think about it."

Toto has a world tour planned in the wake of the album's release; although specific Australian dates are mere conjecture at this stage, the band's website affirms they are "in the planning stages for their return to Asia later this year", so even if they don't quite make it all the way Down Under, you won't have to travel too far if you're ultra-dedicated.

Hear the band discuss the making of the new album below, or skip right to the bottom for an embed of Africa because, let's face it, deep down, that's what you came here for.

toto xiv track list

1. Running Out Of Time
2. Burn
3. Holy War
4. 21st Century Blues
5. Orphan
6. Unknown Soldier (For Jeffrey)
7. The Little Things
8. Chinatown
9. All The Tears That Shine
10. Fortune
11. Great Expectations