Major artists are changing their release dates to avoid clashing with Adele's new album.

A slew of acts including Ellie Goulding, Little Mix, One Direction and Justin Bieber are set to put out albums next month but they've moved their release dates forward so they aren't engaged in a chart battle with the superstar, whose third studio album is scheduled to be released on November 20.

A music industry insider said: ''Adele's album is coming and it's likely to be an epic release.

''The major labels have realised it's essential they get out any big releases before then because from November 20, it's very likely to be about one woman only. She will dominate pre-Christmas sales.

''That's why Justin Bieber, Kylie Minogue and 1D are going head-to-head the week before - usually the record companies would want a No1 album with artists that big but in this case they simply want to get the album out there before Adele.''

The album - tentatively titled '25' - will be the 'Rolling In The Deep' hitmaker's first album since 2011's '21', which went on to shift 30 million copies, meaning she's a real threat to other acts hoping to find chart success at the same time.

And her release means some artists have had their albums delayed until next year because record labels believe they would be easily overshadowed.

The source told The Sun newspaper: ''It's still possible there might be a surprise release from Coldplay or Beyonce who would be confident to put music out at any time of the year.

''But Emeli Sandé and Michael Buble, who share the same market as Adele, are both delayed into next year for certain.''