Stefani drops on December 5

Blink, she's back....Gwen Stefani's new album The Sweet Escape, will hit stores on December 5. What does it sound like? Her single Wind It Up is expected to hit the radio this week.

"This is definitely another dance record but the sound has evolved a lot over the last two years as I've gone in and out of the studio. It's more melodic and very modern," Gwen said on her Web site, gwenstefani.com.

She also confirms that "this time around Pharrell Williams, Nellee Hooper and Tony Kanal return producing/co-writing new songs while first time collaborators Akon and Tim Rice-Oxley (of Keane) join the fray. Song titles include Wind It Up, Orange County Girl, Fluorescent and Candyland." Sounds like Gwen!

Stefani is expected to set out on a 2007 world tour set to begin in April.