The question is always the same: will Adele’s new album be able to live up to her Grammy Award-winning album,“21,” which retained its bestseller status for two years? Adele responded through recent interviews, specifying that she never meant to one up "21". While "21" was a linear piece centered around a painful breakup, Adele’s life is different now: she is in a long-term relationship with her boyfriend, and recently had a son, Angelo. Heartbreak is not as welcomed as it once was. Structurally, the album is more like her debut “19," focusing on the individual brilliance of each song instead of focusing on one direction. This point allows for “25” to be its own beast, free from pressure and expectation. In essence, it is it's own form of pop perfection. Here are 27 thoughts I had while first listening to the album:
1. "Hello. It's me. I was wondering if after all these years you'd like to meet." Is a BRILLIANT opening to an album, that's a follow up to one of the BIGGEST ALBUMS OF ALL TIME. YES I'D LIKE TO MEET ADELE, COME THROUGH!
2. I've heard "Hello" more times than Adele herself, but can we talk about how its brilliance never gets old.
3. Okay, I was "re-slayed" by "Hello" now its time for new Adele! Track 2!
4. Hold on, was that a beat drop? Did Adele really just drop a beat?
5. This song is called "Send My Love (To Your New Lover)," and was written with Max Martin after she heard "I Knew You Were Trouble", his collab with the almighty Taylor Swift. Once you know that you CANNOT STOP HEARING THE SIMILARITIES.
6. Note: An Adele song you can dance to is something I can get with. Requesting Adele in da club next weekend.
7. Track 3 is called "I Miss You". Could it be a "Someone Like You" sound-alike....?
8. HELL NO, it's a Weeknd style sex jam! Well, as close as Adele can get to a sex jam.
9. "I miss you when the lights go down". Get it Ms. Adkins.
10. Track 4, "When We Were Young". Now, I heard her perform this live, so it can't possibly hit me as hard this time.
11. OH MY GOD, I WAS WRONG. THIS SONG IS SO PERFECT!!!
12. That note in the climax? Is that the highest note she's ever hit? #MariahCareyVoice
13. Okay "Remedy" (Track 5) sounds a little more like normal 'Dele,' just her and a piano. It's about her relationship with her loved ones including her son.
14. *Gets up to go walk around, and cry, and contemplate life*
15. "Water Under the Bridge" is more of Dance Queen Adele. Actually, it's like chill dancing. Like sway on the wall/"white people at Coachella" dancing.
16. "Don't pretend that you don't want me." Go in Adele.
17. "River Lea" is a nice little gospel-tinged track. She's blaming the river for her actions.
18. This song is a little hood. Waiting for surprise Jay-Z appearance.
19. HOV did not grace the track. *sad face*
20. This song is called "Love in the Dark". It's the one song so far that hasn't moved me in any direction. I think this is Adele's version of a filler track.
21. ALL IS FORGIVEN CUZ "Million Years Ago" IS HEART-WRENCHING.
22. "I know I'm not the only who regrets the things they've done." YOU ARE NOT, Adele.
23. Near the end of the album. "All I Ask" is a showstopper. This is arguably the BEST vocal performance Adele has ever done.
24. Brb. Repeating track.
25. Last track opens with a recording of her kid "Blue Ivy"-style. It's called "Sweetest Devotion," and sounds a little country. Git-r-done Adele!
26. (Immediately starts over to experience perfection once more).
27. Currently writing to XL Recordings pleading for them not to let Adele wait another four years to produce another masterpiece.
