Ronan Keating has revealed that he's about to start work on a new solo album - and that it's sounding like folk at the moment.

Keating, known more for his penchant for pop than folk, told the Sun that he's hoping to bring out the album, which will be his first in five years, later on in 2012.

Keating had been busy in recent years with reuniting Irish boyband Boyzone, but he is now focusing on his solo career again. He said:

"Now I have a new lease of life and I'm ready to write and record. I'm working on a new studio album, which I hope to release later this year. It's my first studio album in five years and will feature brand new songs. It has a folk feel at the moment but the sound is changing all the time."

Keating's first solo album, 'Ronan', was released in 2000 and spawned a successful solo career.