Green DayGreen Day have confirmed they will release their eighth studio album, “21st Century Breakdown,” on May 15.

“Breakdown” is the band’s first full-length release since 2004’s “American Idiot” and, like its predecessor, features a narrative structure. According to Billboard, it tells the story of a young couple named Christian and Gloria and is divided into three acts – “Heroes and Cons,” “Charlatans and Saints” and “Horseshoes and Handgrenades.”

The album was produced by Butch Vig, who has worked with the likes of Against Me! and Nirvana. First single “Know Your Enemy” will go on sale digitally in April.

Frontman Billie Joe Armstrong previously told Rolling Stone that it will be another political album.

“A lot of people were born into an unlucky time, the era of George W. Bush,” Armstrong said. “There is an optimism now with Obama … Be aware. Don’t look at this guy as the answer to our prayers. You still need to be involved.”

The band is expected to kick off a North American arena tour in early July, followed by shows in Europe. They will then return to North America – as well as hit Japan, southeast Asia and South America – in 2010.






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