Everything Adele has said about her fourth studio album

Fans have questioned whether her forthcoming ‘Saturday Night Live’ appearance could mark the beginning of a new musical era for the singer

Adele’s forthcoming hosting spot on Saturday Night Live has left fans speculating whether her highly anticipated fourth album could be around the corner.

Five years after the release of her last studio album, 25, the “Rolling in the Deep” singer will be making her presenting debut on this weekend’s (24 October) episode of the live US comedy show.

While Adele will reportedly not be performing, her appearance on SNL has caused fans to question whether a new record may be on its way. She previously appeared on the show as a musical guest around the release of 19 in 2008 and 25 in 2015.

Adele’s fourth album was first teased last year when the singer turned 31 a month after splitting from husband Simon Konecki.

“30 tried me so hard but I’m owning it and trying my hardest to lean into it all,” she wrote on Instagram. “31 is going to be a big ol’ year and I’m going to spend it all on myself. For the first time in a decade I’m ready to feel the world around me and look up for once.”

She then joked of the new record: “30 will be a drum'n'bass record to spite you.”

2020 looked set to be the year of Adele’s new album, with her manager Jonathan Dickins saying in January that the record would be out this year, adding: “The sooner [it comes out], the better.”

In February, the singer gave a surprise performance at a friend’s wedding, during which she reportedly told guests: “Expect my album in September.”

Two months later however, eagle-eyed fans suggested that Adele had hinted the album had been pushed back due to the coronavirus pandemic, after she commented on an Instagram Live: “Come on, it’s 2020 – we ain’t meant to get what we want!”

This was later confirmed by Dickins, who said: “It isn’t coming in September, it’ll be ready when it’s ready.

"We’re all in the same boat, you’re doing stuff and then all of a sudden, the world stops,” he said. “It’ll come when it’s ready. I can’t put a date on that yet. We have music, but we’re still working.”

As for the album’s actual release date, Adele responded to a fan on Instagram in August that she “honestly [had] no idea” when it would be available.

One thing we do know is that after the release of 19, 21 and 25, album number four will not be named after her age at the time of recording.

Appearing on the Carpool Karaoke segment on The Late Late Show with James Corden in 2016, Adele said of 25: “This is the last album after my age. I believe in trilogies. The next one’s just going to be Adele.”