As Darren Hayes prepares to release his fifth studio album, Homosexual, he talks about how he moved away from being signed to a major label to emerge as an independent artist firmly in control of his career. That began with 2004's The Tension And The Spark, a synth-based album on which he grappled with his sexuality. While success continued in Australia and the UK, his relationship with Sony Music in the US reached breaking point. He followed that with experimental double album This Delicate Thing We've Made, a sprawling, 25-track release that allowed him to flex his creative muscles. In 2011, Darren worked with major labels once again — but on his terms. Secret Codes And Battleships was a return to a more accessible sound, but it resulted in Darren leaving the music industry for what would end up being a decade once promotion for the album was complete. He explains what inspired him to record once more and what he is saying on Homosexual that he has never expressed in his music before. Bonus material at chartbeats.com.au/aussie Twitter: @ChartBeatsAU, @TurnAroundOnJoy Instagram: @chartbeatsau, @joyturnbeataround Email: [email protected]