Adele's done it again.
Unless you live under a colossal rock, you should know by now that Adele's third album, 25, dropped on Friday. To say that the expectations for the album were high is an understatement. Word on the street is that Justin Bieber and One Direction decided to go head to head and release their albums on the same day so neither had to compete with Adele. Several artists have pushed their CD releases as far back as next year, just to avoid being in her spotlight.
And let me just tell you, Adele lived up to the hype (again). In 25's first two days on the market, it sold about 1.9 million copies. To put this in perspective, it has already beat the first week sales for every other album ever made, except for *NSYNC's No Strings Attached.
So if for some reason you haven't listened to the album yet, or if you're like me and can't stop listening to it, here's my track-by-track review of 25:
1. Hello
I honestly don't know what I could say about this song that hasn't already been said. This single has been playing NONSTOP in my apartment since it came out. The haunting lyrics and the soaring chorus make it irresistible. One of the best songs on the album. [10/10]
Best lyric: They say that time's supposed to heal ya, but I ain't done much healing.
2. Send My Love (To Your New Lover)
SLAY. In the spirit of 21's Rumor Has It, Adele throws so. much. shade. at her ex AND gives him a heavy dose of girl power. She doesn't need him, and she makes this very clear. So upbeat, so catchy, so good. This song is in my top three from the album. [10/10]
Best lyric: Send my love to your new lover / Treat her better.
3. I Miss You
When this song first came, I had to check my phone to make sure that I hadn't somehow started listening to Florence + the Machine. The title made me expect a tearjerker, but I was wrong. With a haunting intro and insanely sexy lyrics, the song is a tribute to the emptiness of the night after a breakup. You get the sense that Adele doesn't miss the person, but rather the feeling of being loved. [9/10]
Best lyric: I want every single piece of you / I want your heaven and your oceans too.
4. When We Were Young
Relatively mellow until the second chorus, this song is full of longing. The song reminds us that even though people might look the same, time changes everything. While the song isn't my favorite, I've heard from others that it ranks highly on their list. [7/10]
Best lyric: And a part of me keeps holding on / Just in case it hasn't gone / I guess I still care / Do you still care?
5. Remedy
While Remedy is rather unremarkable, the message is the most clearly uplifting of the album. Driven by the piano (as most of Adele's songs are), it's a sweet ballad about being a place of solace for someone else. [6/10]
Best lyric: No river is too wide or too deep for me to swim to you.
6. Water Under the Bridge
Another of my top three tracks, Adele delivers a rhythmic diatribe on a complicated relationship. The lyrics could almost read as the breakup transcript between two conflicted lovers. You can hear the reluctance in both parties to end the relationship, but they also realize how toxic they are for each other. [9/10]
Best lyric: If you're gonna let me down, let me down gently / Don't pretend that you don't want me.
7. River Lea
The verses of this song are very reminiscent of Adele's earlier work, with a vaguely speech-like quality to her voice. The whole song is soulful, explaining how the past can shape a person's future. She gives a premature apology for the pain she knows she's going to cause those around her, but she doesn't seem very sorry. [7/10]
Best lyric: I'm scared to death if I let you in that you'll see I'm just a fake.
8. Love in the Dark
This song is a plea; a plea to her lover to understand her reasons for breaking up with him. It sounds full of regretful resolve; she doesn't want to hurt him, but she has to. Adele reminds us that just because you loved someone once doesn't mean you are supposed to be with them forever. I think this song is the saddest on the album, and although it's not very upbeat, I'd say it's one of her better offerings. [8/10]
Best lyric: But I want to live / And not just survive.
9. Million Years Ago
Snooze. Skip. Sorry Adele, but this is not your best work. It's not that there's anything particularly wrong with the song....it's just that it's boring beyond belief. Everything drags on for so long, and the chorus stays at the same intensity as the verses. [4/10]
Best lyric: Sometimes I just feel it's only me / Who never became who they thought they'd be.
10. All I Ask
Coming in at #2 on Moriah's sadness scale, this song is about the end of a relationship that Adele knows is coming but wishes wasn't. I think we've all felt the emotions she puts on display here, and it cuts to the core. The last chorus is especially heartfelt and stirring. [7/10]
Best lyric: It matters how this ends / 'Cause what if I never love again?
11. Sweetest Devotion
This song ROCKS. Literally, it's the most rock-and-roll song on the album and the choir kills it. Plus, it's just so dang sweet to hear Adele pledge her love and devotion to someone. You can just feel the hope and joy behind the words. [8/10]
Best lyric: And there is something 'bout the way you love me / That finally feels like home.
NOW GO LISTEN TO THE ALBUM.
ADELE FOREVER.





















