Hey everyone, hope you're having a good week so far. I haven't done an album review in over a year! That is madness. But today I am reviewing a very exciting new album by Adele! I have waited for a few years to hear new material from her and she did not disappoint. I will review each track as we go along.
I instantly pre-ordered the album once I heard her new single Hello, which is out now, and it arrived on the 20th of November. I said on Instagram that I will review it sometime this week because I don't feel like you can review an album the day it's come out because it doesn't give you time to really enjoy the songs or understand the lyrics/message. So I listened to it repeatedly over the weekend and I completely love it like I knew I would. It takes somebody extraordinary to follow up an album like 21!
25 is different to 21 as Adele calls it a 'make-up record' to her old self and she becomes nostalgic and melancholy about time passing as well as incorporating themes of regret and being a mother. It's a stark contrast to Adele's previous work as the music is different with electronic beats and creative rhythm with 1980's R&B and organs. She collaborated with a whole host of writers including producer Paul Epworth, Ryan Tedder (singer of Onerepublic) and Bruno Mars himself. These collaborations completely work making her album sell more copies than any other album in history in its first week!
Reviewing The Album: Track by Track
Hello
Never has someone just saying 'Hello, it's me' rocked the world like Adele did. This song was an instant hit, gaining millions of views within days and topped the charts in 28 countries as well as becoming the first single to ever sell one million downloads in a release week. Her vocals on this are impeccable and hearing her sing this live is even better. The soaring chorus reminds you why Adele deserves that number one spot.
Send My Love (To Your New Lover)
I think this my favourite track on the album actually. It's always great to hear Adele doing a pop song and this one is a nice surprise. She teamed up with Britney Spears hitmaker Max Martin for this one and it has some elements of Taylor Swift in it with the plucky rhythm of the guitar and upbeat clapping. Adele describes it as a 'happy you're gone' song referring to an ex. It's weirdly upbeat for an Adele album but it's a great one to listen to.. preferably with a glass of wine in your hand, chanting this to an ex lover of your own!
I Miss You
Adele reunites with 21 producer Paul Epworth on this and it is a song with a certain mood, desire and love. Her voice echoes over the beats and an great organ but it lacks a little bit of oomph. I don't really know how to explain it but the music makes you feel like it's building up to a climax that'd be amazing but it ends up not really going anywhere else. But still good to listen to!
When We Were Young
Although Adele is only 27, this is a fantastic song where she reflects on moments that have come and gone that she'll look back on in years to come. Her lyrics "you look like a movie, you sound like a song, my god this reminds me of when we were young" are simply stunning and have you reflecting on your own past. There's one high note that she hits in this towards the end and it gives me goosebumps all over (4:32 in the video).
Remedy
Teaming up with Onerepublic singer, Ryan Tedder, this wonderful song captures the love she has for her child perfectly as well as for her best friend, grandparents and her boyfriend. But over a simple piano melody, she makes you understand what it is like being a mother. Sweet lyrics like "I will be your remedy" remind us how strong a mother's love and protectiveness can be.
Water Under The Bridge
Adele and Greg Kurstin make this a disco-pop song featuring an electro-drum beat and a tropical riff. Her vocals over this melody is fantastic and her lyrics are really perceptive making it completely her own.
River Lea
This song is basically a dedication to an east London river but with a deeper meaning to it. Adele has said time and time again that fame will never change her and her songs are based on things that happen in everyday life rather than focusing on the fame. With a bluesy melody, she sings "it's in my roots, it's in my veins, in my blood" proving that you can take the girl out of Tottenham and have her win Oscars, Grammys and more but you can't take Tottenham out of the girl.
Love In The Dark
Adele singing ballads is definitely her speciality but this one is a little different. This time she is the one breaking hearts rather than being the one heartbroken. An emotive piano melody and strings really amp up the emotional impact of the song and Adele's voice runs up and down the scale perfectly.
Million Years Ago
This is a bittersweet song and it really hits home about the reality of growing up and missing moments of your past. This acoustic moment is beautiful as Adele croons about missing her mother, her friends and the parties. It leaves you reaching for a tissue and remembering your own childhood.
All I Ask
Now when Adele teamed up with Bruno Mars, I did expect a funky tune like Uptown Funk or Teasure. Instead, they both created a beautiful piano-led ballad that'll have you bawling. If you're not bawling, you're grabbing a hairbush to sing this one out with all your might.
Sweetest Devotion
This is another song dedicated to her child and it is a glorious finale to the album. Influenced by Madonna's 1998 album Ray of Light, Adele sings for her child over a country guitar and a wistful melody. It's lovely and tender with the final note of uplifting love and adoration that is a stark contrast to the heartbreaking Someone Like You on 21. A wonderful end to a wonderful album.
Have you listened to this album yet? What did you think of it?
Thankyou for reading.
Laura.
