Lily Allen Returning?

UK Singer Reportedly Working on Comeback Album

In 2009, Lily Allen made like Jay-Z in 2003 and hung up her mic at the height of her powers. The Brooklyn rapper's retirement lasted about three years, and after about that same length of time, the U.K. pop songstress is readying her return to music , the Daily Star reports.

The "Smile" singer was spotted last week leaving RAK Studios in London , where she's said to be working on her third album .

"Lily has been in the studio trying different sounds and writing new tracks," an insider told the newspaper. "She's not at a stage where she can start recording but the new album is definitely underway and there's a chance it could be released early next year."

According to the source, Allen truly meant for the retirement to stick, but she got the "bug back" after writing tunes for a musical based on the chick-lit character Bridget Jones.

Much has changed since Allen's last album, 2009's It's Not Me, It's You. She lost a child in a harrowing 2010 preterm delivery, married boyfriend Sam Cooper and gave birth to a healthy daughter, Ethel Mary, in November 2011. While it remains to be seen what direction she'll take on her comeback record, it's a safe bet the snarky, sarcastic upstart heard on 2006's Alright, Still is gone for good.

"Her life has changed so much since her last album and she now has a different perspective," the source said. "Lily wants a more mature sound and is penning tracks about Ethel and Sam."