JLS have proven themselves to be more than just X Factor runners-up: the last year has seen them score three no.1 singles, a multi-platinum album and two Brit Awards. As Aston, Marvin, JB and Oritsé celebrate the success of new single The Club Is Alive, we ask Oritsé what we can expect from the new album and what it's like having Miley Cyrus as a fan...
Q: You announced recently on Twitter that your second album is now written and you're about to start recording. What can we expect and how does it compare to your debut?
A: It's going to be the same JLS sound but we've taken a risk on this album. Musically, you're going to hear that we've taken a risk and hopefully we'll appeal to an even broader music-listening audience.
Q: Chipmunk features on the B-side of your new single. Can we expect any collaborations on the album?
A: We've done a collaboration with Jay Sean. We wrote a song with him. We still have a couple of tracks to pick to go on the album so if that track gets picked, then that would be fantastic.
Q: It was reported that Miley Cyrus told you she was a fan of your music. How does it feel when other successful acts like what you're doing?
A: It's amazing, especially someone of Miley's stature and experience. She has been top of her game for years now and she's still young. It's fantastic to hear an artist like her say she enjoys our music. We saw her backstage at an awards ceremony in Canada. People were trying to drag her away to get her changed and she came and said that she loved our music. It's lovely to hear that.
Q: Miley is a huge popstar in the US. Who do you think is the UK's best popstar at the moment?
A: Oritsé from JLS.
Q: Do you have hopes to crack the States with your new material?
A: We've been all over North America and Canada. We did 26 hours non-stop doing morning shows to the next morning shows. We loved every second of it. If it does pay off in the States then great, but our base is here in the UK. This is where we came from and this is where we're going to be for the rest of our career. If anything else happens around the world, like America, then that's an added bonus.
Q: Acts like Taio Cruz have done really well in the US recently. Usher has said though that Taio Cruz is devaluing R'n'B because his music is too pop-orientated. What do you think?
A: I think we're very proud to be doing British pop-R'n'B. I think it is different from American. Usher is an incredible act and we all respect him very highly. If it wasn't for someone like Taio Cruz, then we wouldn't be where we are right now, having the opportunities that are in front of us. For us, our music is different from American music and I think there's room for all types of music.
Q: What are your plans for the rest of the summer?
A: Starting from last week, there are plans to finish the album and get that sorted, and do photoshoots for the imagery for the album. We've done T4 on the Beach and we're also doing a 15-day tour over in America. That will be fantastic. Hopefully then another single before the year is out, and then our first ever arena tour. The tour is going to be amazing. We're doing four nights at the O2 and it's sold out. That's like 20,000 people each night. Dates are still being added but we literally just can't wait!
The new single The Club Is Alive is out now. The new album is due for release later this year.
