Gwen Stefani has downplayed her solo success saying that the records she recorded without her rock group No Doubt were "never meant to be taken seriously."

The 42-year-old took a hiatus from No Doubt in 2001 before launching her own career three years later with her debut solo album, Love.Angel.Music.Baby, which was certified platinum three times in the US and preceded two more successful solo records.

Despite working with the likes of Pharrell Williams, Eve and Akon, Gwen says her solo venture was more of an experiment that lasted longer than she expected.

"It just feels so much more natural being back in this mode. The solo records allowed me to indulge my girly side but it was never meant to be taken seriously," Gwen explained to the Guardian.

"It was just like an art project that kept going longer than I expected," she added.

"The group never ended – we always knew we’d come back to make this album."

Gwen is currently in the midst of making a comeback with No Doubt, whose sixth studio album, Push and Shove, was released this week.

Do you prefer Gwen as a solo artist or as part of No Doubt?

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