Mercury Records, which is U2's label in the UK, has apparently announced that U2 will release its next album in 2013. The news was reported a few hours ago in a pair of tweets by the London-based Music Week.

"2013 could be one of the best years Mercury's ever had," said UK label president Jason Iley. — Music Week (@MusicWeekNews) July 13, 2012

Iley is a friend of U2's going back many years. In fact, U2 left Island Records in the UK for Mercury Records in part, the story goes, because the band wanted to continue working with him. So, he would seem to know what he's talking about.

I'd just add this caution: U2's record labels have previously announced when new albums would be released, and U2 has sometimes missed those target dates (think Pop). Mercury may expect a new album next year, but U2 generally decides when it's ready to put out a new album, whether the label likes it or not.