One Direction star Liam Payne believes the band's next record will feature some of their best work yet.

The group only released their last studio effort 'Midnight Memories' in November, but they are already working on its follow-up.

Speaking to Capital FM at the BRIT Awards this week, Payne said that they have already penned twelve tracks for the album.

And he reckons the tunes are some of the best they've ever made. The singer said:

"We're twelve songs into the next album, past this tour. So everybody should still be excited. We've worked very hard on this and this is literally some of the best stuff we've ever come out with."

The singer and his bandmate Niall Horan added that they hope to utilise Pharrell Williams on the album, with the Irishman saying:

"We've been writing the new album at the minute, and hopefully we can get Pharrell, if Liam [Williams' friend] is willing. And I will do that trip with you, to go to America to meet Mr. Pharrell Williams, we'll go and write a tune!" 

Watch One Direction at the BRITs below: