Chic will release their first album in 25 years in 2017, Nile Rodgers has confirmed. 

The appropriately-titled 'It's About Time' - which follows the 1992 record 'Chic-Ism' - was originally planned to be released back in 2015,but was postponed twice, Rodgers revealed in a post on his website. 

Rodgers explains in his announcement post that he wanted to delay the new record until next year because of the musicians we lost in 2016, saying that he "couldn't release an album about the joy of life in a year of so many deaths". 

The 2017 release also means the album will coincide with the 40th anniversary of the band's formation and 40th anniversary of the opening of Studio 54. 

Speaking of what's in store, Rodgers says: “In 2017, we will pay homage to the club that put us on the international map by doing a series of concerts, afterparties, VIP Packages, films and singles – then drop the full album along with a BIG SURPRISE!”

The announcement reflects on the affect the deaths of David Bowie and Prince had on the musician, and says his work on Bowie's 'Let's Dance' is "one of the highest plateaus in my career".

In an interview with Rolling Stone, Rodgers claims Chic plan to counteract the negativity of 2016 with a "party year" in 2017. Bring it on.