The Killers' Brandon Flowers had a "good feeling" as soon as he heard their new single.

The rock band's frontman knew straight away "Runaways" was the perfect anthem to get fans excited about the band's new record, Battle Born, when they were writing it.

"When I heard that march that catapults the song forward, I knew there was something special about it. It definitely has a couple of 'brothers' on this record. It's a great starting point, but there are more styles as well... We've never hid our influences, and we've always been loud and proud," he said.

"Runaways" was released a week early on July 10 due to mass demand from radio stations. The track is the band's first since 2008s Day & Age, and took a year to make, working with five different producers.

"This album is going down a few different roads, and you really get a taste of what we like as a band and what we think our strengths are," Brandon added.

The group were left reeling in April when their saxophonist Thomas Marth - who toured with the group and recorded with them on their last two albums - committed suicide.
"Mr. Brightside" singer Brandon said at the time, "When you go through life and everything seems sunny and then you get hit with that? It put everything into sharp perspective."

Battle Born will be released on September 18.