Beyoncé has revealed that her forthcoming album, 4, was inspired by Adele and Florence and the Machine.

The singer said that she listened to the two British acts whilst penning tracks for the LP, along with some more unexpected artists.

She told Billboard magazine, 'I recorded over 60 songs for this album.

'I have a lot of inspiration from '90s R&B. Also, Earth Wind & Fire. I listened to a lot of DeBarge, a lot of Lionel Richie and Teena Marie.'

She added that 'Jackson 5, New Edition, Florence and the Machine, Adele and Prince,' had also played a part in shaping the record.

But the 29-year-old said that it has been hard to determine what kind of sound the album has overall.

'I don't know what genre my album is. There really isn't a genre for it,' she said. 'But I wanted to focus on bridges and chord changes and chord progressions and melody. And also add my hip-hop influences, and keep some of the aggressive staccato melodies and singing as well.

'I really wanted to focus on my vocal performance. I gave myself a lot more freedom to really belt out some of the songs.'

Whilst this is the response that any female artist not wanting to start a fan war would give, there is no denying that Ciara’s response came across as completely genuine.

Of course, the Atlanta native has always cited the ‘Best Thing I Never Had‘ singer as one of her idols and actually shared chart glory with her back in 2004 when she debuted with solo LP ‘Goodies‘ just a few months after Beyonce released ‘Dangerously In Love’.

With her place at Jive Records still in question, let us hope that this next era sees the gifted entertainer deliver an album and experience worthy of praise from her contemporaries, in the same way so many praise Beyonce.

For with the hands of Pop culture’s clock spinning faster than ever, it would be a shame for a talent as promising as Ms.Harris to go to waste.

BEYONCE is going to great lengths to make sure her headlining set at this month’s Glastonbury festival is muddy good.

Her hubby Jay-Z was a huge hit when he played there in 2008 and she wants to top that.

Bey, 29, arrived in London yesterday and will be rehearsing at a secret location for two weeks to perfect her act. She and her entire team – including back-up singers, dancers, sound engineers and lighting technicians – will spend the fortnight holed up in a studio in the East End.

My insider tells me: “Beyonce is so nervous about the gig she has booked the space for two weeks so she can perfect the set, which will include dizzying pyrotechnics. She’s literally playing with fire.

“Her performance at Glastonbury is already looking epic. She’s been given a helping hand by Jay-Z and Kanye West who both look set to perform numbers with her.”

I’m also told Simon Cowell is desperate to get Beyonce on Britain’s Got Talent.

My source says: “Bey is considering it but has so far shunned making any public appearances until Glasto.

“It is a shame – her Destiny’s Child bandmate Kelly Rowland wanted her to come to the auditions which kicked off on Wednesday.

Beyoncé is allegedly feeling "nervous" about her headline performance at this year's Glastonbury Festival.

The ex-Destiny's Child star, who is set to top the bill at the prestigious event on the Pyramid Stage later this month, is apparently panicking about her stint, so much so, that her famous hubby, Jay-Z, has been on hand to calm her nerves.

A source told The Mirror: "Beyoncé is so nervous about the gig she has booked the space for two weeks so she can perfect the set, which will include dizzying pyrotechnics."

"She's literally playing with fire. Her performance at Glastonbury is already looking epic."

The insider added: "She's been given a helping hand by Jay-Z and Kanye West who both look set to perform songs with her."

As well as performing with Jigga and Yeezy, Queen B is expected to bring some of her biggest hits to Glasto, including her new single Run The World (Girls).

Following her performance at the prestigious festival, the Single Ladies hitmaker is due to release her fourth studio album, 4, on 27th June.

We can't wait!

1. 1+1

2. I Care

3. I Miss You

4. Best Thing I Never Had

5. Party (Featuring Andre 3000)

6. Rather Die Young

7. Start Over

8. Love On Top

9. Countdown

10. End of Time

11. I Was Here

‎12. RunTheWorld (Girls)

‘4′ hits stores via Columbia/Sony Music on June 28th.

“I had talked about taking a vacation before, but always ended up in the studio after two weeks, so no one believed me. This time, though, I was serious. I was going to give myself a year to do the things I never get to do. Simple things like play with my nephew, pick him up from school, visit museums, go to concerts, see some Broadway shows, learn to cook a meal and spend time with my husband…Yes, I needed some relaxation, but I wanted inspiration too, from regular, everyday things. They did not have to be over-the-top productions. I was looking for tiny moments that would speak to my heart and make me smile…” – Beyoncé for Essence July 2011