Sam Smith announcement sparks speculation about release date for new music

Singer Sam Smith has sparked speculation that he may be releasing new music as early as next week.

The Stay With Me singer posted a picture of a billboard with his face and the date September 8 on it to his more than 7 million Instagram followers.

Alongside the picture, which also features the logo of music streaming service Spotify, he wrote: “Morning London x”.

One fan wrote: “But like …could it be a whole album all at once?!? I have so much excitement & anxiety my body can’t take itttt!!”

Another asked the singer: “Is that a song or an album?”

His debut album In The Lonely Hour was released in 2014 and spent eight weeks at number one.

Smith, 25, made another teasing post on Thursday, writing on Instagram that “the wait is nearly over”.

He continued: “I have missed you all desperately, and a day hasn’t gone by when I haven’t been looking at all your comments and dreaming of singing with you all again.

“The wait is so nearly over. Something is coming very very very very soon. I am scared & excited at the same time. I’ve poured my soul & heart into this record.”

He ended the message promising fans he would see them “in the not so distant future”.

In June this year, Smith teased his social media followers that he was back in the studio by posting a photo of himself at the microphone with the caption: “Recording x.”

Smith has previously seen success in the singles charts with his songs Money On My Mind (2014), his 2015 collaboration with John Legend, Lay Me Down, and, in the same year, his last hit the Bond theme for Spectre entitled Writing’s On The Wall.

The Londoner won best original song for Writing’s On The Wall, which was co-written with fellow Briton Jimmy Napes, at the 2016 Academy Awards.