In an interview with Eamonn Forde, XL Recordings label exec Richard Russell tells Q Magazine he is happy with Adele‘s progress on new album but it will take “as long as necessary” to get it right.

Richard Russell, Photo Martin Pope

Russell’s label was just awarded the “Outstanding Contribution To Music” award at The Q Xperian Awards last month for the success of XL, which celebrates their 25th anniversary this year. Other artists signed by XL include Radiohead, Vampire Weekend, FKA twigs and this years’s Mercury Prize nominees Jungle.

How does winning the Outstanding Contribution award feel?

It’s not something I consider to be for me, it’s for the label.

Photo, Q Magazine

This year is the 25th anniversary of XL. How do you feel about reaching such a milestone?

I am not interested in the past. It’s just not relevant. When you are in the studio and helping someone make a record, all the past can be is baggage. If you get too caught up in the past, it makes it quite hard to be open to what you are doing.

It’s been confirmed Adele’s album won’t come out this year. Have you ruined Christmas for HMV?

{Laughs} It takes the length of time that it takes to do and for it to be right. I’m really pleased with how it’s going [a number of songs are in various stages of completion]. She’s always had a very high standard for what she does. She had that from day one, which is why the records have been so good.

Source: Q Magazine