Adele knows how to keep us guessing

British singer Adele. Photo / Supplied

Short clip on The X Factor sends fans into a frenzy of speculation over new album

These days, it's common for artists to tease a new song on Instagram before an album drops, or tweet a mysterious photo clue to send fans into a frenzy about what it could all mean.

They should all take a lesson from Adele.

The British singer, who hasn't released an album in four years, managed to cause quite a stir online Sunday when a haunting, piano-driven, 30-second clip of a song aired during the UK version of The X Factor.

It sounded like Adele. It seemed like Adele. Of course, there was no actual confirmation that it was Adele - or what it meant - but that did not stop Twitter from going into overdrive. The X Factor and the singer were both trending worldwide.

Anyway, using logic to figure that this is a hint for Adele's highly anticipated album, she's playing the long game extremely shrewdly. In the years since her last album, the mega-hit 21, she's kept a mostly low profile (save for an Oscars appearance to sing award-winning James Bond theme song Skyfall).

Even on the heels of massive success, she took a hiatus and is simply letting excitement build by giving away zero details about her next project.

There have been rumours and reports about collaborators, but her label won't confirm anything.

Not that anyone needs to - anticipation is at a fever pitch anyway, and this stunt should only increase the buzz.

This summer, 21 officially hit diamond status in the US with 10 million album sales since its release in 2011; with 30 million sales worldwide, it's one of the best-selling albums in history.

So it's the smart move not to rush any decisions on this one.

According to Billboard, the latest report is that this record - her third studio album - might hit shelves in November.

And honestly, if Adele can win a Golden Globe and an Oscar for co-writing and singing the James Bond theme song, imagine what accolades this upcoming album will bring.