Harry Styles listens to music through wired headphones as he passes a starstruck Deliveroo driver – amid fan speculation over the release of his hotly-anticipated fourth album

Harry Styles was spotted listening to music through a pair of wired headphones while out and about in central London on Thursday afternoon.

The singer, 31, has come under mounting pressure to give details about the hotly-anticipated release of his fourth studio album, dubbed HS4 by fans.

In March last year it was reported that Harry was back in the studio working on new music for the album, but in the 12 months since there have been little to no updates.

Harry, who has famously shunned wireless headphones in favour of the older wired option, was seen strolling the streets while listening to songs.

Fans will no doubt be hoping that the Grammy-Award winning artist is listening to samples of his own music as they continue to wait for his new material.

Harry cut a typically cool figure in a pink polo shirt and a blue jacket, which he styled with navy trousers and a pair of white plimsolls.

Harry Styles was spotted listening to music through a pair of wired headphones while out and about in central London on Thursday afternoon

The singer, 31, has come under mounting pressure to give details about the hotly-anticipated release of his fourth studio album, dubbed HS4 by fans

The Fine Line hitmaker slung a tote bag over his shoulder and completed the outfit with a pair of stylish aviator sunglasses.

Harry confirmed to Rolling Stone magazine in October 2022 that he had already started work on HS4 in the way of establishing early ideas.

But it has been more than three years since the release of Harry’s House, which included No.1 single As It Was, and there is no evidence of a fourth album as yet.

Over the past year, Harry has been fuelling collaboration rumours by hanging out with people in the industry. So far he’s been spotted with fellow artists including Olivia Dean, Fred Again and Florence Welch.

Prior to several sightings of Harry in London this week, the former One Direction star had largely disappeared from the spotlight.

This makes it seem more likely that he has immersed himself in completing his fourth album, as this is something he has done before.

There have been several points over the past year when Harry’s fans were so convinced that the album was about to drop that HS4 AT MIDNIGHT would trend.

But it’s good news for Harry’s fanbase, as the star has never gone more than three consecutive years without releasing a record.

Harry released his self-titled debut album in May 2017, before subsequent releases Fine Line (December 2019) and Harry’s House (May 2022).

In March last year it was reported that Harry was back in the studio working on new music for the album, but in the 12 months since there have been little to no updates

In March last year, Harry was spotted stepping inside Rak music studios in St John’s Wood near London’s Regent’s Park.

The studios were founded in in 1976 by English record producer Mickie Most – who was known for his hits with the Animals, Jeff Beck, Donovan, Suzi Quatro and Kim Wilde, among others. He was also a recording artist, record label boss and TV producer.

After Mr Most died in 2003 aged 64, his daughter Natalie Hayes took over the studios helping it to win studio of the year in 2014, 2015 and 2017.

In recent years, the studios have been home to record makers such as Ed Sheeran, 33, Adele, 35, Sir Rod Stewart, 79, and David Bowie, who died aged 69 in 2016.

Made up of four fully equipped studios, recording artists are also able to stay overnight in either of the two accommodations.

Whilst on stage in New Zealand in 2023, he spoke about the songwriting process and teased: ‘We’re almost at the end of the fruit bowl. Come album four, who knows? No citrus is safe.’  

Sources say the tracks so far are some of the most poignant and most revealing songs they’ve heard from Styles.

No stranger to the illustrious studios, it’s known he recorded his 2019 hit Adore You there.

Close friend and ex-One Directon bandmate Niall Horan, 30, recorded his 2017 track Fool’s Gold there too.

Having just got off tour, the star has been quick to return to the studio, with many thinking he would have opted for a long break before getting back to work.

Harry confirmed to Rolling Stone magazine in October 2022 that he had already started work on HS4 in the way of establishing early ideas

Harry was seen entering Rak music studios in St John’s Wood, North London (file image)