"Chaos and Creation in the Back Yard," the first new studio album from Paul McCartney [ tickets ] in four years, will hit stores Sept. 12, just ahead of the launch of his previously announced tour.

The 13-track collection, McCartney's 20th studio set since The Beatles, was co-produced by McCartney and Nigel Godrich (Radiohead, Beck), and was recorded in London and Los Angeles over the course of the past two years.

In a press release, "Chaos and Creation" is billed as "a return to the basics for McCartney." He plays the majority of the instruments on the album, including drums, guitar, bass, keyboards, block flute, harmonium and flugelhorn.

"I did not want to rush this album," McCartney said in a statement. "I think it was worth the wait, though. The music became more interesting over time and I’m really proud of what we did."

Legendary Beatles producer George Martin placed the call that got McCartney and Godrich together in the studio, and the result is described in a press release as having "an organic feel reminiscent of Paul's first solo release, 'McCartney' (1970) and some of The Beatles later recordings."

"We really made a lot of it up as we went along," McCartney said. "I’d try something and if it didn't work I’d try something else until it did. It was like making a go-cart in the backyard."

McCartney's 37-city U.S. tour behind the new set launches Sept. 16; details are in the itinerary below.

"Chaos and Creation in the Back Yard" tracklisting:
Fine Line
How Kind of You
Jenny Wren
At the Mercy
Friends to Go
English Tea
Too Much Rain
A Certain Softness
Riding to Vanity Fair
Follow Me
Promise to You Girl
This Never Happened Before
Anyway