Just over four years ago, Doves were on the crest of a wave. Their first album in more than a decade – The Universal Want – had been rapturously received, helping them notch up their third UK No 1. All set to perform it live, the tour was suddenly cancelled due to frontman Jimi Goodwin’s mental health – he has since said he is in recovery from substance abuse.

The cancellation “was heartbreaking for us because this is all we’ve ever wanted to do,” explains guitarist Jez Williams, who formed Doves with drummer brother Andy and schoolfriend Goodwin in Wilmslow, Cheshire in 1998. Sat alongside him in a Manchester eaterie, Andy explains: “You can get away with that once, but if we had to pull a tour again it would be curtains.” Thus, in late 2023, with a new album on the way, and Goodwin telling them he still wasn’t up to touring, they made the momentous decision to go on the road without him.

“With Jimi’s blessing,” insists Jez. Fans, too, have been overwhelmingly supportive. In November, with the brothers sharing vocals, a rejigged Doves performed in Hanley, Birkenhead and Hebden Bridge to rapturous receptions. Some fans even flew in from the US and audiences applauded the supportive onstage mentions of the absent frontman. “It felt like Jimi was there in spirit,” says Andy. “He isn’t here at the moment, but is very much a part of us.”

The singer is very much a presence on Constellations for the Lonely, the forthcoming album which ranks with their best work despite – perhaps even because of – the difficult circumstances of its creation. Recording had to take place when Goodwin was well and up for working. The brothers reveal that the singer’s vocal to first single Renegade was laid down as a guide, and not intended for the finished record, but it’s beautifully melancholy. “It’s not a perfect vocal,” admits Andy, “but there’s real emotion. Jimi brings authenticity.”

The trio have been close since school, and are so accustomed to setbacks that Jez jokes about a “curse of Doves”. After they emerged as dance act Sub Sub – reaching No 3 in 1993 with Ain’t No Love (Ain’t No Use) – their studio burned down. “But that gave us the opportunity to start afresh,” he explains. “We’d played instruments as kids and picked them up again. We’d seen how the Beasties Boys transformed themselves from brat-rap and thought: if they can do that, why don’t we have a go?”

Their 2000 debut Lost Souls and follow-up The Last Broadcast in 2002 were both Mercury-nominated, the latter and 2005’s Some Cities reaching No 1. “We’d grown up watching Top of the Pops and suddenly we were on it,” says JezThey toured the US with the Strokes as their support band. “It was party time on the bus like it was someone’s birthday every night. You’ve never done it before, so you get carried away.” Gradually, though, the lifestyle and heavy touring took a toll. “Two day drives and sleeping in a bed moving at 70mph are not natural environments for a human being,” considers Jez. His brother adds: “Throw in drink and drugs and something’s bound to go wrong, isn’t it?”

Once, in Death Valley, California, Andy woke to see the band’s equipment trailer hurtling past his window into the desert. He chuckles. “It had become unhinged, just like everyone on the bus.” After making 2009’s album Kingdom of Rust proved tortuous due to what Jez calls “relationship breakdowns, alcoholism, all the fun stuff”, the band realised they had become a “dysfunctional family” and took a long hiatus.

Although the Williamses resurfaced as Black Rivers, Goodwin made a solo album and they were comfortable enough financially, the layoff hit them hard. Andy sighs: “You see your mates playing arenas and can’t help think: that would have been us if we’d carried on.” A series of outdoor comeback shows in 2019 were triumphant, despite what Jez calls “biblical rain”, but he admits that eventually Goodwin struggled with “triggers, association. Touring is a hard environment to be in if you’re not feeling right and you’re trying to avoid the things that get you into trouble.”

Today, Andy admits that “being able to do it again has been quite healing”. Meanwhile, he saw Goodwin recently and says: “I’m proud of him for doing really well, engaging with his sobriety.” Though the singer will miss the forthcoming tour, which is almost sold out, the door will remain open.

“We’ve all really been through the wringer,” says Andy, “but no one’s fallen out over this. I’m really proud that we’re all still good friends.”

• Constellations for the Lonely is released on EMI North on 14 February. Doves’ UK tour starts at SWG3, Glasgow on 28 February