.png)
Adele's 21 is one of those albums that it seemed like every single person alive was listening to on repeat when it was released-- to say that this album took the world by storm honestly feels like an understatement. While singles like "Rolling in the Deep" may have ended up becoming a little overplayed on the radio, 21 as a complete work absolutely justifies the popularity it garnered when it was released and for years after. It's one of those albums I consider to be a modern-day classic.
Stand-out tracks: "Turning Tables" "Someone Like You"
My favorites: "Set Fire to The Rain" "Lovesong"
Opening the album with "Rolling in the Deep" sets the tone for all the good things to come on 21-- from soaring, raspy vocals to jazzy-pop instrumentals unique only to Adele. While Adele is probably more known for heartwrenching ballads, she does sassy pop-rock like "Rumour Has It" equally well, if not better. The standout moments of this song are definitely the pared-back bridge and the clever ending where the previously repeated "rumour has it I'm the one you're leaving her for" turns into the confessional of "rumour has it he's the one I'm leaving you for."
Over her now-four album discography, "Turning Tables" might be the singular best song that Adele has ever released. Vocally Adele is unstoppable, lyrically it's soul-crushing, and instrumentally this song is absolutely stunning. "Set Fire to the Rain" is one of my personal favorite Adele songs-- it's incredibly passionate and cinematic in composition and performance, and the soft-yet-majestic combination of drums, violins, electric guitar, and Adele's voice makes for quite simply a near-perfect song.
The next several tracks of 21 are not necessarily considered the big hits of the album, but they each have their own charm. The jazzy piano and guitar of "He Won't Go" when coupled with Adele's lower tones and syncopated rhythms makes for an underrated gem that would fit right in at a smoky, candle-lit jazz club performance. "Take It All" is pared back to a piano, a background choir, and Adele at her most raspy and powerful, ultimately telling her lover "don't look back at this crumbling fool/just take it all with my love." While songs like "Turning Tables" and her debut album's "Chasing Pavements" are generally considered to be among the saddest of her discography, "Take It All" might have my vote.
The one song on 21 that I feel is a little less than perfect is probably "One and Only." It drags on for a whopping 5 minutes and 48 seconds, and the bridge is nothing more than the very repetitive "I know it ain't easy/giving up your heart." It's certainly not bad, but when the rest of the album is just that good, this one sticks out as the low point for me. "Lovesong" might be the single most overlooked on this album, but every single time I listen to it I find some new detail about it to appreciate. The finger-plucked guitars (yes, guitars plural-- listen through headphones for a gorgeous experience) and Sting-esque drums coupled with some of the most romantic lyrics Adele has makes for just a really naturally beautiful love song.
Closing out 21 with"Someone Like You"is absolutely quintessential Adele-- a stunningly beautiful, heartbreaking power piano ballad. Ending the album with "don't forget me, I beg/I'll remember, you said/sometimes it lasts in love/but sometimes it hurts instead" paints another painfully human moment to be something genuinely beautiful in a way only Adele can.
From its shelf-load of GRAMMYs to its millions upon millions of copies sold, the raw, emotional, soulful work of art that is Adele's 21 is one album that I can guarantee will eternally be known as a masterpiece.
AM I OBSESSED?
Comments