01. HELLO
This song is just absolutely breathtaking. It was our first introduction to this album and it was a very strong note to come back on (literally, her first note was like I'm back to snatch every one of those wigs). It was a very smart twist on the typical break up song, what she dubbed a "make up song." It wasn't about how horrible and crappy the person was. It's about taking responsibility for yourself and moving on with each other's life. The chorus takes you into another universe. I remember Adele had to have vocal surgery and it was a bit scary because what if something had gone wrong and she wasn't able to hit those Adele notes anymore? She did, and she didn't just hit them, she punched them with a stellar ease. Her head voice was absolutely gorgeous, along with the notes she belted. The production was exquisite but seemed simplistic. What an amazing note to come back on, of course Adele would come back with nothing but class. 9.5/10
02. SEND MY LOVE (TO YOUR NEW LOVER)
From the first moment of this song you know it's going to be different. I have to be honest, I've only become familiar with the acoustic vibe Adele presented on 21. I've never really heard, or been curious for that matter, about how her voice would sound on a more upbeat style track. I'm not saying this is "upbeat" it's just...different. It still has a wonderful message, and so much heart. It sounded a little like a Lorde song (of course in a good way!) when it hit the chorus. I think it's message fit perfectly in line with "Hello." A very mature track that shows her development as a writer. 7.5/10
03. I MISS YOU
The first 50 seconds of this song was pure instrumental. It built up to the initial entrance of her voice in a very epic fashion. The drums were a major part in that. The production was very different than what we're used to from Adele, but Adele has that type of voice that allows her to destroy (in the good way) anything she even thinks about singing. The bridge was very reminiscent of something you might hear on a Florence + the Machine track. The lyrics "We play so dirty in the dark, cause we are living worlds apart" is just a heartbreaking way of saying they are only impassioned in the darkness of night because they are just so separate in the daytime. 8/10
04. WHEN WE WERE YOUNG
This is the second song we were exposed to from the album, and once again was it another brilliant move from a P.R. standpoint to promote the album because it is absolutely gorgeous. I'm not sure what to take away from the song lyrically. The way I interpreted it was that she was singing about someone she's known forever, but they've grown apart. She's yearning for the time of "when [they] were young." The melody is so beautiful, she just has such an amazing way of getting the point of a song across. As usual, the bridge took one of her songs into another stratosphere. Transitioning into the chorus as she held out the word "young" and just allowed it to go higher and higher...ugh. Just beautiful. 9/10
05. REMEDY
Oh, classic Adele. This song gave me a "Turning Tables" vibe, which immediately made me fall in love with the song because that is probably my all time favorite song from 21, or her entire catalog. It had a beautiful message behind it, reassuring that "I will be your remedy." Just look out into the world and I will always be there for you. Adele's voice is just complimented whenever it's simply her and a piano, and this song is no exception. 9/10
06. WATER UNDER THE BRIDGE
Adele has this way of being so relateable through her music, it's absolutely remarkable. If I could bottle up the first few lines of this song and just hold it inside of me I would. "If you're not the one for me, why do I hate the idea of being free?" You can't say you don't relate to it because goodbye, you do. The production was once again very different than we're used to from Adele, and once again it worked. It's very interesting to see Adele breaking out of her acoustic walls, but still giving a very, very intimate vibe her music. 7.5/10
07. RIVER LEA
This song continues the album's very mature route. Her taking the blame and accepting her part in the mess that this relationship has become, claiming to be very "fake" and "man-made." Or, maybe. Because in the same vein, she's also blaming it on the river lea, haha. Once again a wonderfully produced song that never takes away from the emotional aspect of the song. 7.5/10
08. LOVE IN THE DARK
I think this song is about loving someone, just not being in love with them. She is beginning her partner not to look at her anymore, so she can leave without breaking his heart anymore than she already know she will. Like I said, when the pianos are pushed to the forefront, her voice absolutely hits it's stride. The strings added a new element to the overall sound of the song that was already beautiful in itself. 8/10
09. MILLION YEARS AGO
For some reason, listening to this song made me think of My All, by Mariah Carey. Maybe it was just the Spanish-guitar vibe that I felt listening to it. It was absolutely beautiful. It's the type of song you could just close your eyes and rock yourself to sleep on listening to. I think this song is about fame, a little bit. She sings about missing her friends, and her mom and being able to walk on the streets and live a little more. I don't think she regrets the decision, just that fame can really screw you in the ass sometimes. I would rock with this theory because she spent a whole 4 years underneath the covers away from the entire world. Great song, the intimate and realistic feel that we love about her. 8.5/10
10. ALL I ASK
Ugh, pianos, pianos, pianos, yes mama. Where does she come up with these simplistic yet extraordinary songs? Such a simple idea. Wondering if this is your last night with someone, wanting to be held like you're more than just a friend. This song once again focused on her enriched vocals, her wonderful tone, a beautiful melody to a song, gorgeous phrasing. Yes, Adele. 9/10
11. SWEETEST DEVOTION
Aw, isn't it nice to hear Adele happy? Finally finding "the one she belongs to"? In short, it was a great end to a great comeback album. It had a little but of country essence injected into it and there was a wonderful balance of ballad pop and soul already infused into it. 8/10
ALBUM GRADE: A-
This album had some wonderful gems, but luckily, all the songs were absolutely beautiful. Even if they weren't all beautiful, it's Adele, so it would have sounded beautiful. Wait, maybe none of it was beautiful and Adele made it beautiful...I'm kidding, don't kill me! It's great to have Adele back and great that she hasn't lost that spark that made her the amazing artist she is today.
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