4.5/5
25
Artist: Adele
It’s been for lo(ooooo)ng years since Adele released her industry-rumbling mega-smash 21, the breakup album to end all breakup albums. Now, at last, the wait is over. The goddess of song has released a new album, and it’s just as glorious, inspiring, and chill-inducing as you hoped. Thankfully, Adele has returned with a new set of sounds and themes. Another breakup album just would not have felt natural. She is a mother now, as well as a partner in a long-term relationship. These new bonds are all over 25, colored by the emotions, both good and bad, that accompany them.
The album opens with the earth-(and record)-shattering single “Hello.” While the lead single is the best on the album, the returns are only ever so slightly diminished. “Hello” leads into the Max Martin-produced “Say Hello to Your New Lover,” a straight-forward pop song unlike anything the British singer has released. While the music may deceive you into thinking it’s nothing more than pop fodder, Adele’s voice can cut through the most artificial of production and draw out the authenticity lying underneath. Not that all the songs sound cheap. Quite the contrary, actually. “Water Under the Bridge” is primed with 1980’s guitar shine that is, again, a completely new sound for Adele.
Perhaps the best production on the album can be found on the Danger Mouse-aided “River Lea.” His signature, organ-heavy sound melds perfectly with Adele’s expressive, almost Gospel phrasing. I yearn for an album produced solely by him. Until that time, this is what we have: 25. It will not leave you wanting, I promise. It is already the best selling album of 2015 and it will likely be a contender for ’16, as well. Let’s hope this woman has only begun. I’m in for the long haul.
25
Artist: Adele
It’s been for lo(ooooo)ng years since Adele released her industry-rumbling mega-smash 21, the breakup album to end all breakup albums. Now, at last, the wait is over. The goddess of song has released a new album, and it’s just as glorious, inspiring, and chill-inducing as you hoped. Thankfully, Adele has returned with a new set of sounds and themes. Another breakup album just would not have felt natural. She is a mother now, as well as a partner in a long-term relationship. These new bonds are all over 25, colored by the emotions, both good and bad, that accompany them.
The album opens with the earth-(and record)-shattering single “Hello.” While the lead single is the best on the album, the returns are only ever so slightly diminished. “Hello” leads into the Max Martin-produced “Say Hello to Your New Lover,” a straight-forward pop song unlike anything the British singer has released. While the music may deceive you into thinking it’s nothing more than pop fodder, Adele’s voice can cut through the most artificial of production and draw out the authenticity lying underneath. Not that all the songs sound cheap. Quite the contrary, actually. “Water Under the Bridge” is primed with 1980’s guitar shine that is, again, a completely new sound for Adele.
Perhaps the best production on the album can be found on the Danger Mouse-aided “River Lea.” His signature, organ-heavy sound melds perfectly with Adele’s expressive, almost Gospel phrasing. I yearn for an album produced solely by him. Until that time, this is what we have: 25. It will not leave you wanting, I promise. It is already the best selling album of 2015 and it will likely be a contender for ’16, as well. Let’s hope this woman has only begun. I’m in for the long haul.