Beyonce `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.'