25

25

left

Released 2014 / 2015 Label XL Recordings, Columbia Records Adele chronology Live at the Royal Albert Hall ← 25 → None Singles from 25 Unknown

25 is the upcoming third studio album by Adele, scheduled to be released in 2014. It is the highly anticipated follow-up album to 21, Adele's hugely successful sophomore album. In the August 2011 issue of Q Magazine, Adele revealed that she has written seven songs for her third studio album, which she promised would be more intimate and stripped-down than her first two.

“

It won't be a big production. I want it to be quite acoustic and piano-led. I want to write it all, record it all, produce it all and master it on my own. I think it'll take a lot longer because I want to do it this way.

”

Adele has admitted that she wants to make sure the album is "good enough" before she releases it, which is one of the main reasons why she is in no rush to release the album. She previously stated that the album may expand her music to other genres, such as country and bluegrass, stating that she wanted to do some of the work for the album in Austin, Texas and Nashville, Tennessee. This music influenced some of the music on 21, including "Don't You Remember" and a live cover of country group Lady Antebellum's song "Need You Now". New reports would suggest that her musical direction has changed, though, being that Adele plans to enlist producers for artists such as Florence + The Machine and Calvin Harris to change her sound so that her music "move[s] with the times".

Adele has also stated that she will include a cover of the song "Never Tear Us Apart" by INXS on the album:

“

I have five tracks ready to go. One of them is quite upbeat — a real 'girl power' type of song. I plan to do a cover of the INXS hit 'Never Tear Us Apart' which is probably my fave song of all time. The whole album will have quite a live feel to it.

”

In April of 2013, a report suggested that Adele was in the studio working on her third album, and an even more recent report confirmed that Adele began work on her third album on April 22, 2013 and plans to release the album in mid-2014, with her record label pushing back the release date of Susan Boyle's fifth studio album in order to get Adele's album out as soon as possible. It was further stated that Adele had written four songs and would be in total "lockdown mode" for the next couple weeks while she wrote and recorded the album in London and Los Angeles; this would also contradict the previous statement that would suggest she had seven songs written for the album. It was later reported that she had at least four songs done for the album, which would go back to her modern jazz roots, and was beginning to record the vocals. As of October 2013, the album is being worked on (as confirmed by Ryan Tedder), although everyone involved in the project is supposed to remain silent about it.

Diane Warren, Phil Collins, Ryan Tedder, and Paul Epworth have all been confirmed to be attached to the project. Ryan Tedder revealed prior to the Grammy Awards in 2014 that the album had a "different" sound and that Adele was happy and in a good place at the moment, adding that she is currently working on it with plans to release it when she feels it is good and ready.

Roger Friedman, who originally confirmed Adele had recorded "Skyfall" before anyone else knew, revealed that Sony is pushing for the album to be out before the fall of 2014.  Paul Moss, who works for a public relations company connected to SoundScan, revealed that the album was registered but had no title as of yet, and that it could be released from any period of time up until June of 2015, adding that it would most likely be released in January. Moss further stated that Adele's record label was approximating a release in January because they refuse to release it until the material is good enough.  He also confirmed that the album's lead single would be released at some point in 2014 "if all is ready".

Title

Like her first two albums, 19 and 21, the album was expected to be titled after her age. It was heavily speculated to be called 23, 24, 25, or 26.  In June 2013, Adele showed off a new tattoo on her left hand: the word "Paradise". This caused some speculation that it may be making reference to a future music release of hers, whether it be a song or an album. The tattoo was speculated to be related to future music being that it brings positive themes to mind, and Adele has stated that her next record will not be a breakup record like 21 and will most likely be inspired by her boyfriend and son. In honor of her birthday the next day, Adele Tweeted on May 4, 2014 (although it was already her birthday, May 5, in the UK) "Bye bye 25... See you again later in the year x", confirming that the album would be titled 25.  Despite Adele's hint at the album title, music industry insider Paul Moss stated that the album had been registered without a title.

Recording and release

The album was rumored to be released in May 2012 , although this was postponed due to Adele's recovery from her ongoing vocal illness. Despite no album being released, Adele instead released "Skyfall" from the film of the same name in October of 2012. Although Adele herself had never openly stated this, her manager, Jonathan Dickins stated that the record following 21 will be released when "the time is right". Adele had originally revealed that the album would probably be released three years after 21, as 19 and 21 were released three years apart as well. This would imply that the album would be released in 2014.

Several rumors circulated throughout 2013 claiming that Adele was secretly working on her third album, with some stating that she wanted it out by the end of 2013. In June 2013, Adele was spotted several times with her son in New York City, leading the public to believe that she was staying there to record the album. One fan Tweeted that she supposedly saw Adele go into the Sony building with her baby on June 24, 2013.

Adele revealed at the Academy Awards in 2013 that she plans to work with Paul Epworth on her third studio album.

In April 2013, it was reported that Adele had gone back into the studio with plans to release the album in mid-2014, with four songs already done. According to the rumor, Adele plans to write and record the album in London and Los Angeles, and might be working with previous collaborator Paul Epworth.  Adele hinted in May 2014 that she would be releasing 25 later on in the year. Paul Moss later revealed via Twitter that the album could be released from any period up until June of 2015, although it is more likely at the moment that the album will be released in January of 2015 with the lead single being released at some point in 2014 if all goes as planned.

Collaborators

Backstage at the 55th Annual Grammy Awards, Adele confirmed that the album is not very far along, but hinted that she may begin working on it after the Oscars with Paul Epworth, saying: "I’m not very far along at all. I’m having lots of meetings. I’ve been in L.A. the whole time since the Globes and I’ll be here 'till the Oscars. So I’m having lots of meetings, but I’ve been out of the loop, really. I’ve just been singing my baby nursery rhymes, so I don’t really know what’s cool and what’s not. I’m definitely going to visit with Paul Epworth and talk about doing that again."

Adele also posted a picture of herself with magician David Blaine online, and the next day Ryan Tedder revealed that he had been

Ryan Tedder confirmed his work with Adele on 25 has finished, although a release date was yet to be determined.

at the dinner with Adele when David Blaine showed up.  Although the dinner was most likely in honor of his birthday, some reports suggest Adele was discussing her third album with him while they were out. Soon after, it was reported Adele had been in New York for her third album.  In October 2013, Tedder revealed that he was sworn to secrecy as far as the album went, but confirmed he was working on it and that she sounded "even better than before".  Arjan Timmermans, a writer for the Grammys' official website, spoke with Ryan Tedder prior to the ceremony in 2014, who confirmed that he had finished working on the album and that the album sounded "different". He also stated that Adele was in a good place and was very happy, and that she plans to release the album when she thinks it is ready. In an interview with Sam Ashton of MSN Music, Tedder stated that Adele will release the album "when she decides it's finished".

William Orbit, known for his work with Madonna and Britney Spears, confirmed that in early 2014, he would be writing with Adele. On January 2, 2014, it was reported that Orbit had actually been the final person to work with Adele on her album and that Adele was preparing it for release. Orbit later took to Twitter to deny these reports, calling them "rumors" and further stating that he had something big planned that was occupying most of his time. He later confirmed that Adele had approached him about working on her album, but he didn't hear back from her and has no plans to work with her as of right now.

A recent report suggests that Madonna and Adele may be working together, claiming that each will produce a track for the other's album after meeting in London. In January of 2014, Diane Warren confirmed that she had been writing new music with Adele for the album. By the end of the same month, Warren had confirmed to Billboard that she had finished working on her songs with Adele, implying that the album was well underway.  Phil Collins also revealed that he and Adele were working together on new music.

Adele is rumored to be working with Beyoncé on 25.

It has been rumored for a long period of time that Adele would be collaborating with Beyoncé Knowles, one of Adele's biggest influences. Beyoncé has expressed interest in working with Adele and has stated Adele was a huge influence for her fourth studio album, 4. The two had been rumored to be going into the recording studio in 2009 while Adele was touring, although this was proven false.  In 2011, when Knowles was slated to appear at the Glastonbury Festival, Adele was rumored to appear and perform with her but allegedly was forced to cancel at the last minute due to her ongoing vocal problems. Adele hinted that she is interested in collaborating with Knowles, who appears to have mutual feelings.  Recent rumors suggest that Knowles was spotted entering the studio with Adele in the summer of 2013. 

It has also been suggested that James Ford and Kid Harpoon will be two of the album's producers and give Adele a more modern and "edgy" sound.  In January of 2014, it was reported that Greg Wells, Francis White, and Naughty Boy would all be working on the album.

As of 2014, Paul Epworth, Ryan Tedder, Diane Warren, and Phil Collins have all been confirmed to be attached to the project, although they have been sworn to secrecy about it.

Themes and inspiration

Sources have stated that Adele's next album will be inspired by her pregnancy and motherhood.  Adele has also confirmed there will be a lot more country and bluegrass influences for this album. She promised it would be more laid back and acoustic and that she wanted to produce the album and do everything "her way", although it is now being reported that the album will  have more modern musical influences. It is rumored that she will work with some of the collaborators she worked with for 21, including Paul Epworth, who has worked with her on several hits in the past. James Ford and Kid Harpoon, who worked with The Arctic Monkeys and Florence + The Machine, respectively, have both been reported to be serving as two of the album's producers and assisting with giving her a new, "edgy" sound that "moves with the times". Although people have suspected that Adele will write more songs about heartache, she has stated that she will never write another breakup record again, saying, "I'm done with being a bitter witch."

Adele's relationship with Simon Konecki will reportedly be inspiration for much of the album.

This would further imply that her pregnancy could be a topic for her upcoming album. Adele also implied that it would be a happy record that may also chronicle her relationship with Simon Konecki, her boyfriend, stating that "I'll never be devastated again".

When asked about the current status of the album at the Academy Awards in 2013, Adele stated that it may be awhile and that the album will pay homage to different musical styles; she further added that it will be a lot "rawer" than 21.  Another interviewer asked her about the album and when it would be out, and Adele responded, "I’m not sure. We’ve been meeting with writers and talking but nothing is happening now. I’m a mother! I’m very into that. Also, I don’t know what to write about yet. The last album [had a theme].” When the interviewer suggested that she focus on covering other artists' material, she said, "I'm a writer and I'm going to write it."   

Tracks

The only confirmed song for 25 is a cover of the song "Never Tear Us Apart" by INXS, although some fans doubt it will make the final track listing because Adele has been known to be fickle with what she wants released. Adele had confirmed in 2011 that there were at least seven songs that she had already written and lined up for the album, although this may have changed since the May 2012 release date for the album was cancelled. It is possible that "Skyfall", a non-album single, may appear on the album as a bonus track or a hidden track.

Adele worked with Paul Epworth on three songs that did not make the cut for 21 that may be released on the new record: "Haunted Skies", "Waiting for You", and "Saviour". An additional unreleased song named "Run Away" also exists and could be considered for the new album. A fan of Adele's hinted on Twitter that "Run Away" is being considered for Adele's third album, even Tweeting a fan-made single cover for the song.  Paul Epworth confirmed to a fan on his official Twitter account that Adele had strongly considered debuting their song "Saviour" at one of her live shows during the Adele Live tour (although she never did) and said they were considering it for a future release.  It has been strongly hinted at that "Saviour" will appear on the new album, although there has been no confirmation of this.

It was reported in January 2014 that the album's lead single was titled "Devil On My Shoulder", although the song was actually a track considered for 21 before being cut.

Commercial demand

The currently incomplete and, as far as fans know, non-existent album, has recently become the most requested music-related item ever on the UK Amazon Store. Fans who have contacted Amazon customer support about the third album have received this message: "Over 100,000 requests for Adele's yet-to-be-recorded third album have put this music product way above any other request for any form of music since Amazon started in 1995."