It’s been four and a half long, tiresome years since Adele topped the charts with 2011’s 21. But it looks like we won’t have to live in an Adele-less world for too, too much longer — that is, if Pharrell has anything to say about it.

At the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, the “Happy” hitmaker said he’s collaborating with Adele on her forthcoming third album, and he knows exactly why it’s taking so long.

“She’s kinda like, ‘OK, guys, I’m gonna open my diary for 20 minutes.’ So it’s like, OK, you have 20 minutes, or 32 minutes really,” he said.

After that, the British singer resumes mommy duties with her 2-year-old son Angelo, whom she welcomed in October 2012 with longtime boyfriend Simon Konecki.

“Then she gives it to you and closes it up and disappears, and she’s off with her beautiful boy — and that’s what it’s all about,” Pharrell continued.

So at least now we have some kind of explanation for the wait… working on an album in 20-minute intervals is no hastily accomplished feat. But Pharrell’s involvement is definitely making us excited — and he teased that her musical magic is still very much in tact.

“She is a masterful writer,” he gushed. “You listen to her albums and the intention is living and breathes.”

Agreed on all counts. Now let’s get that album finished already!