It seems Prince’s vanishing song antics last week had a point- he has told the LA Times that he’s releasing three new albums this year, and all without the aid of a record company.

First up there’s MPLSOUND- electro-influenced experimental pop songs, produced using Pro-Tools and “new ways of recording”. Second disc Lotus Flower brings Prince’s guitar technique to the fore, in a solo-heavy album that includes some “heavy rockers”.

Lastly, things take a turn for the smooth on Elixir, a collaborative effort with singer Bria Valente, Prince on guitar and chilled beats from Morris Hayes. Expect sexy but not too sexy: "This music is nasty, but it's not dirty... There's no profanity. It isn't promoting promiscuity,” said the Jehovah’s Witness.

He's in final negotiations with "a major retailer" to distribute the music physically, and there’s a “highly interactive” website in the works as well. For now Prince fans can check out the mysterious mplsound.com, currently previewing (but for how long?) what seems to be a track from Elixir.