ONE of the hottest bands in the States right now – certainly the top country group - are Lady Antebellum.

Their first two ablums – ‘Lady Antebellum’ and ‘Need You Now’, soared to the top of the country charts, while the latter and their third offering ‘Own The Night’ also topped the main billboard chart.

‘Need You Now’ made gold in the UK, while reaching number eight spot but the title track reached a surprisingly low 21 despite loads of radio airplay.

So now they are back in the UK with ‘Own the Night’ due out on October 3, and a new single ‘Just A Kiss’, which is already getting loads of plays on the radio. It is an epic rock ballad boasting a chorus destined to be sung in arenas around the world. It has already been a massive hit in the US where it sold over a million copies, entering the hot 100 at No 7, one of the highest charting debuts in Billboard’s 52 year history.

‘Need You Now’ sold five million copies worldwide so ‘Own The Night’ has a tough act to follow – five Grammy Awards means you’ve got a good album so what do we have to follow it with? ‘Own The Night’ was written and recorded in Nashville with the three band members - singers Charles Kelley and Hillary Scott and multi instrumentalist Dave Haywood – co-writing ten of the 12 tracks. There is also a bonus 13th track - an acoustic version of 'Need You Now'.

The album was co-produced by the band with long standing collaborator Paul Worley.

It is a beautiful, moving, dramatic and ambitious album ranging from classic pop songs to epic sweeping ballads, gruff Americano to country tinged rock.

“We took more time to write and record this than we’ve ever done before,” Charles told the Gazette. “I remember looking at Hillary and Dave at the Grammy’s this year, on the wildest night of our lives, and saying: ‘This is amazing – we’ll never get to experience a moment like this again but now we have to go home and get to work’.”

‘Need You Now’ sold over 150,000 copies to be certified gold and the band has built a strong fanbase so expect this album to do much the same, especially as the band plans a UK tour in October.

Tracks: We owned the night, Just a kiss, Dancin’ away with my heart, Friday night, When you were mine, Cold as stone, Singing me home, Wanted you more, As you turn away, Love I’ve found in you, Somewhere love remains, Heart of the world.

‘Own the Night’ is released on Capitol Records.