Daughtry downplays 'Leave' creative effort

NEW YORK, July 19 (UPI) -- U.S. singer Chris Daughtry says his past success didn't put pressure on him while creating his new album, "Leave This Town."

The 29-year-old singer said while his first album, "Daughtry," went quintuple-platinum, he felt no added pressure from his label or himself as he worked on his follow-up album, the New York Post reported Sunday.

"We tried our best not to think about that. There also wasn't any kind of a deadline from the label, so we were able to take our sweet time," he said of his band's work on "Leave."

Daughtry, who finished fourth on the fifth season of "American Idol," also downplayed having to work with a band in the recording studio instead of being the one in charge of the recording process.

"Totally different," he said of the two recording efforts. "But I knew after three years on the road with my band mates (what they) were capable. It was a democratic process: people voicing their opinions and bouncing ideas off each other."

The Post said "Leave" with its hit single "No Surprise" is due out in stores Tuesday.