As tradition would have it, Valentine’s Day falls on February 14 but not for iconic Irish indie band My Bloody Valentine. In their case, it’s all about February 2.

Loveless was not only named as one of the best albums of the 1990s but has also inspired generations of dream-pop bands

Nothing to do with love and romance, of course; just that February 2 was the day the band launched its new website, and in so doing, also announced the release of its long-awaited new nine-track album – the not-quite-imaginatively-titled mbv.

Talk of a new album from My Bloody Valentine – cited as one of the most influential alternative bands from the 1980s and 1990s – have been rife ever since its members got back together in 2007 after a decade apart. The band have since missed numerous release dates.

My Bloody Valentine’s last album was 1991’s epic Loveless, which was not only named as one of the best albums of the 1990s but has also inspired generations of dream-pop bands enthralled by its adventurous blend of guitar-pop and left-field production.

Apart from links to buying mbv, the new website also features news of a band-related documentary, an interview with elusive band leader Kevin Shields and details of My Bloody Valentine’s upcoming live engagements in Britain. Last month, the band was also confirmed as one of the headlining acts at the prestigious Primavera Sound Festival in Barcelona.

www.mybloodyvalentine.org