According to British newspaper The Metro, the Geordie star is hoping to 'dominate' the charts in 2012, as well as reuniting with Girls Aloud to celebrate their 10-year anniversary.
After being fired from the US X Factor, the 28-year-old is said to have put all her efforts into recording the follow-up to her previous albums 3 Words and Messy Little Raindrops.
A source told the publication: 'Cheryl's actually been working on her new album since the very beginning of the year and the first single should be out early next year.
'She's loving the experience this time around because she has never really had the chance to spend a decent amount of time recording her albums as they've always been fitted around the X Factor.
'It's the first time she's been able to properly take her time exploring and teaming up with people. The full album should be ready to go out within the first six months of next year.'