okay, let's get this out of the way early.
adele's 21 is good. really, really good.
the london-based songstress' growing confidence is evident on each track. we get some piano-based bread and butter on songs like Someone Like You and Turning Tables, and a little bit of that youthful sass on Rumour Has It and Rolling in the Deep. but what i really like about 21 is that as listeners, we get to watch adele stretch her wings, vocally and musically, and try out some new genres and sounds. it isn't always successful - Don't You Remember falls a little flat with overwrought vocals and a vaguely country guitar that wouldn't sounds out of place on a lady antebellum album (in case you were wondering, no, that's not a good thing) - but there are some wins here too. If It Hadn't Been for Love is a standout, borrowing from bluegrass influences with a maturity you wouldn't expect from someone who probably has never visited the locations she's crooning about. and let's all acknowledge that it takes a lot of nerve to take on the cure, and she does so with grace on Lovesong.
tying the whole record together is adele's uncanny ability to put together simple and yet poignant lyrics that are shamefully relatable. i had a song on 19 that stuck with me, emotionally, and i'd be lying if there wasn't one in particular off 21, too.
she'll be dropping by toronto in may, and you had better believe i have my tickets pre-ordered. get excited, people.
adele - if it hadn't been for love
adele - rolling in the deep (jamie xx remix)
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