The Boxer Rebellion are hoping to woo their fans with a new album – and they reckon the whole process is like trying to find a bit of romance.

The band launch fifth album Ocean By Ocean today with a show at Stereo, once again delivering sweeping, clever and emotional rock music.

“This is always a weird time,” admits drummer Piers Hewitt, who’s in the middle of the very un rock n’ roll pastime of gardening when he answers the phone.

“It’s a bit like the chase when you’re dating someone, or trying to. That can go on for years and then suddenly you’re together with someone and the chase, and all the anticipation, is over. So we’ve been working on this for two years, but in a few days everyone will have heard it all – I love everything that goes with a new album, but the anticipation of not knowing how people will react is great.”

The Londoners have forged a long-lasting relationship with many fans. They’ve survived being suddenly cut adrift when their label closed down and since 2005 they’ve been unsigned, doing things their own way and on their own terms, earning many admirers along the way.

One of those fans, Drew Barrymore, got the band starring roles in her rom-com Going The Distance a few years ago, but the group aren’t just a passing fancy – their indie rock has constantly been praised over the years, and Ocean By Ocean is no different.

There has, however, been a line-up change for the first time in the quartet’s history. Guitarist Todd Howe amicably departed in April 2014, with Andrew Smith stepping in as his replacement.

“When I was younger I used to think that if one of us left we’d call it a day, brothers in arms and all that,” says Piers.

“But we parted ways with Todd for the right reasons and realised that we definitely had ideas and the desire to go on, whether as a three piece or with another member. Andy was the first and last guy we approached, so it just worked – I don’t know how bands can go through constant member changes and not affect the quality of the music, so we were lucky.

“Andy has brought a lot to the table very quickly, he’s very fresh and has never been in this situation before, so it’s giving us a new lease of life.”

That energy carried over into the writing process for Ocean By Ocean, which features the likes of the dreamy Keep Me Close and the brooding, reflective Big Ideas. The 10 tracks on the record were trimmed down from a hefty batch.

“I never understand when bands say they’ve had 100 songs written, that’s just nonsense,” says the drummer.

“We had about 25 and we’ve never had that many finalised before. It was quite hard to whittle it down as we’re a democratic band and share everything equally. Everyone’s opinion is equal, so while I love what the album is, there’s a couple of songs I’d have loved to see on it but someone else decided they didn’t want it.”

2016 doesn’t just signal a new album, it also marks 15 years of the group existing. That’s an impressive achievement, given all the label trouble they had early in their career.

“I remember there was an assumption that once you were on a big label then you were almost over the line and that everyone would do a good job,” he says, ruefully.

“I guess I would tell the Piers from back then to listen to everything and question everyone – there isn’t anybody in the world who’s as bothered about your band as you are. People will talk you up but you’re the guys the band means the most to, so don’t let responsibility fall into other people’s hands too much.”

Those years together have also meant plenty of Glasgow visits, and, it seems, plenty of nights out…

“I’ve had a few unsuccessful nights at the casino,” he adds.

“The last time in Glasgow was when we hopped in a cab home and I’d left my bag back at the casino – my phone was dead too, and I was sitting there, trying to charge it and getting so annoyed at everything that the rest of the band filmed me ranting to myself – they still play it to me now, or play it over the PA sometimes because it cracks them up!”

The Boxer Rebellion, Stereo, tonight, £13, 7pm