21
by Adele
call number: POP Ade 21
New Arrivals Island, 2nd floor
The mega-hit status of Adele’s second album (dating from 2011, but a new addition to our Popular CDs collection) is no secret to anyone who follows the music world – it ranked as the #1 album on Billboard’s list and remains one of the best-selling albums worldwide. While its bookend songs, “Rolling in the deep” and “Someone like you,” became practically radio-immortal for a few years, each of the songs in between has their own unique style and feel that contributes to a moody, volatile, but overall enjoyable record.
Some of the songs have more of a bluesy, folk, gospel, or Americana feel than might be expected out of a British singer, and Adele has said that her exposure to American country on her previous record tour definitely influenced songs like “Don’t you remember.” Despite the whole album being known as a classic breakup album with the expected dark emotions of hurt, anger, revenge, and regret, it also has a range of more positive lyrics that remind the listener of platonic friendships or classic love songs. Even the overplayed singles bear repeated listening in combination with the rest of the record, and it’s not hard to see why it’s so popular.
