Ladies and Gentleman, Adele is back and better than ever. Her newest album, 25, was released on November 20th by XL/Columbia Records and has already sold at least 2.4 million copies in less than three days. Who does that?! The answer is that the beautiful, magical, wonderful Adele does. According to Nielsen Music, Adele’s 25 has broken the single-week U.S. album sales record! Unreal. Adele's last blockbuster, released in 2011 and titled 21, was all about her then-recent and heart-wrenching break up, which she used as fuel to produce a dynamic and soulful album about turning pain into something greater. How is 25 different? It's still about nostalgia and goodbyes, but it is coming from a place of maturity and reflectiveness. Adele wrote about 25 on her website saying:
"My last record was a break-up record and if I had to label this one I would call it a make-up record. I’m making up with myself. Making up for lost time. Making up for everything I ever did and never did. But I haven’t got time to hold on to the crumbs of my past like I used to. What’s done is done. "
Awww Adele! So poised and elegant. While every song on the album is touching, different and worth listening to, here are the top five which you need to listen to right this second.
1. Hello
You've probably already heard this one, and if you have, listen again. For me, I hear something new every time I listen to this track, either a different nuance or a new chord which truly makes me feel some type of way. Adele says this one is her reaching out to herself when she was younger, but it's also her saying hello to herself, her friends, her boyfriend, her fans and everyone else in 10 years. Truly a belter, so turn it up in the car and sing your heart out.
2. Love in the Dark
Personally, I cried a lot at this one. It speaks to me about body image and self-confidence and the importance of healthy relationships and good communication. It's about bravery and knowing when to end a relationship, and it speaks to both friendships and romantic relationships:
"We're not the only ones
I don't regret a thing
Every word I've said
You know I'll always mean
It is the world to me
That you are in my life
But I want to live
And not just survive"
Very powerful.
3. Water Under the Bridge
This one is a little more upbeat, I definitely found myself tapping my foot and bopping along. I think my favorite part is:
"If you're gonna let me down, let me down gently
Don't pretend that you don't want me
Our love ain't water under the bridge
If you're gonna let me down, let me down gently."
It made me feel empowered to be honest and inspired me to say what I'm thinking. Yaaas. She is absolutely stunning in this video.
4. Send My Love (To Your New Lover)
The guitar bass line is unreal. We can all relate to this one: seeing an ex go on to date someone new and all you want to do is send that chick all your love ;) It's angsty and a little dirty but good for those days when you're feeling a little edgy on the way to work. "We both know we ain't kids no more." Yeah, I'm looking at you.
5. When We Were Young
This is probably my favorite track, although I am really obsessed with them all. I think this song brings up very vivid memories for everyone, including Adele who said, “At rehearsal, when I was singing ‘When We Were Young,’ I suddenly had a vision of my best friend putting makeup on me for the first time when I was 17. I had never had that vision when I wrote the song. Every time a new memory comes back in one of my songs for myself, I love it. It’s like remembering your life through song” (New York Times). I could listen to it on repeat forever. Also her range is so incredible in this song that it truly encapsulates how talented and unique Adele is. The end of this video is the cutest thing ever, so watch the whole way through.
"Everybody loves the things you do
From the way you talk
To the way you move...
Everybody here is watching you
'Cause you feel like home
You're like a dream come true"
While I am an avid Spotify user, this album was not on Spotify, so I took the plunge and bought 25 on iTunes. Best $10.99 I've ever spent. Adele delivers another dreamlike album, full of elegant ballads and earth-shattering vocals. Share this album with friends when venting about your lovers, cry over a glass of wine with your mom, and play it for Grandma this upcoming holiday. Everyone will love this album, and if they don't, I'm not sure what is wrong with them. A truly unique, once-in-a-generation voice, Adele is back and ready to rock.
(Other recommendations: Sweetest Devotion, All I Ask, Remedy)
