Adele to Release Third Album in May 2012

Adele's '21' is one of the most successful albums of 2011, having racked up multiple, non-consecutive weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Top 200 chart, which is nothing to sneeze at. However, Adele is not resting on her laurels, as the English rose is already looking towards the future and planning for her third album. The soulful songbird is nothing is not ambitious.

Adele, who was named by The Guardian as the most powerful person in the music industry in the UK, placing ahead of that impresario known as Simon Cowell, told The Sun (via MTV UK) that she will release the follow-up to '21' in May of next year and that it will feature -- get this! -- a cover of 'Never Tear Us Apart,' the popular, late '80s ballad by Aussie rock band INXS. We are practically squealing with glee in anticipation of what Adele can do with this lovelorn classic.

All this Album No. 3 chatter is not lip service, either, as Adele already has nearly a half a dozen cuts in the can! "I have five tracks ready to go. One of them is quite upbeat -- a real 'girl power' type of song," she revealed. "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."

May 2012 can't get here fast enough!

Watch the INXS 'Never Tear Us Apart' Video