[1] Following worldwide tours throughout 2005, the band took a break, which saw singer/bassist Jimi Goodwin providing drums on the songs "Mathematics" and "People Help the People" by Bolton-based indie pop band Cherry Ghost, and drummer Andy Williams becoming a father for the first time in September 2007.

Worldwide tours coincided with the releases, including an appearance at the BBC Electric Proms festival accompanied by the London Bulgarian Choir in October 2009.

[3] A best–of compilation, entitled The Places Between: The Best of Doves, was released in April 2010[4] and peaked at number 12 on the albums chart.

Then, in 2019, Doves reunited for a special charity gig, whereupon rumours of the band recording new material began to circulate.

On 18 June 2020, the band released their first music in ten years with a song titled "Carousels".