One Direction's Liam Payne has told fans to expect a new sound on their next album.

The boyband are scheduled to release their third album before Christmas as they follow on from 2012's 'Take Me Home'.

Speaking to GQ, Niall Horan said that their next record will plump towards rock, with the sound sprinkled with "heavier" tones. He said:

"We don't actually have a specific date for the new album, but on the road we will have more time to record and try things out. It'll be a bit heavier. A bit rockier. A bit cooler."

Liam Payne meanwhile added: "Consider this a warning: this is a new sound."

As previously reported, Harry Styles said in the same interview that he and radio DJ Nick Grimshaw are just friends amid speculation that they could be an item.