Aiken eyes May 6 release date to debut new CD.

CLAY AIKEN isn't letting a little thing like being on Broadway stand in the way of his next studio effort -- in fact his new album will likely be in stores in a matter of months!

"We're hoping the next album will be out about May 6," Clay -- who currently stars in Spamalot -- tells People.com.

"We've picked most of the songs," he adds. "Sonically, I don't know that we're going down any path that's crazy. I'm not trying to be cool, I'm not trying to be hip. I'm not trying to do anything other than sing stuff that I'm good at."

The new album will reflect the lessons he's learned over the past few years. The 29-year-old singer says "I've learned about life, and I think people learn a lot in the twenties. So we found a lot of songs that speak to that. I would like to wrap a lot of the music around that theme. It's early to promise that, but it's a goal."

This time around, Clay says his image is not likely to change as dramatically as it did to promote his last album, 1000 Different Ways.

"Last time I came out with dark crazy hair. We did that intentionally. But I'm just going to do what I do this time. We don't have any plans this time. But I've got the red wig [from Spamalot] -- maybe I'll do that!"