Adele 21 Review

Someone Like Her Seoana Sherry-Brennan Just over two years have passed since Adele’s debut album 19 gave us one of Britain’s most powerful soul voices, and in that time her talent has been honed to produce a dynamic and passionate record that proves why this lady is so worthy of the acclaim she has received both here and overseas.

21 is dark, bluesy gospel for the pop generation, combining the heartfelt lyrics of jazz with the upbeat hooks of pop that draw in the masses of fans. Gutsy, energetic numbers like Rumour Has It are contrasted with emotion-clad ballads like Don’t You Remember, each as compelling as the other.

Rolling in the Deep, the first single to be released from the album, has an infectious beat that instantly invigorates, reminiscent of American folk singer Vera Hall’s infamous Trouble So Hard, which was sampled in Moby’s Natural Blues. The jaunty tune masks a story of broken love, a subject covered in many of the album’s tracks as Adele’s own love life took a turbulent turn.

Adele’s acoustic performance of Someone like You at the Brit Awards this year wowed the audience and viewers alike, causing the single to rocket 46 places in the singles chart to reach number one. The last song on the record, it is a powerful contradiction to the opening track Rolling in the Deep. It is a gut-wrenching tale of lost love and Adele’s deep voice injects anguish into every lyric.

The highlight of the album is Set Fire to the Rain, a soaring epic of a song that is a passionate and exhilarating showcase of Adele’s stunning voice. An unlikely but brilliant cover comes in the form of The Cure’s Lovesong. While most artists wouldn’t dare attempt such a classic, Adele takes the challenge and shakes it by the shoulders to produce an original, slower version that is at least equal to the original.

Sure to be one of the albums of 2011, every track stands out in its own right as a success in writing and vocal skills. This North-London girl proves that Brits are still the leaders when it comes to original talent. I look forward to what 23 has to offer...