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Music review: Adele ëƵ ëƵ25ëƵ

By Clint Rhodes 3 min read
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Stunned silence.

ThatëƵs the best way I can describe my reaction after listening to AdeleëƵs latest album.

The Londoner makes her long-awaited return with the refined and elegant ëƵ25.ëƵ

While her last release was more of a break-up album, ëƵ25ëƵ focuses on making the transition into adulthood and dealing with past experiences and relationships in a more mature and understanding manner.

In its basic form, the new material is grown-up music lavishly delivered by an artist clearly coming into her own.

ëƵHello, itëƵs me,ëƵ innocently announces Adele as she initiates a musical conversation during her attempt to find closure from a previously failed relationship.

ëƵHelloëƵ debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, positioning the haunting number to become one of the most memorable songs of 2015. Make sure you take the opportunity to view the video of the classroom instrument version of Adele singing the smash single with Jimmy Fallon and the Roots.

Just like her previous two albums, ëƵ25ëƵ represents her age and measures her growth from 2008ëƵs ëƵ19.ëƵ

While ëƵDaydreamerëƵ opened the debut release with a sense of innocence and wonderment, ëƵWhen We Were YoungëƵ displays tender moments of reflection and letting go of the past as Adele recalls how perfect things seemed to be during simpler times as she sings, ëƵIt was just like a movie/It was just like a song.ëƵ

Taking a page out of Nick LoweëƵs songwriting book, the British songstress is being cruel to be kind on ëƵLove in the DarkëƵ as she sings, ëƵTake your eyes off me so I can leave/IëƵm far too ashamed to do it with you watching me.ëƵ

Co-written by Bruno Mars, ëƵAll I AskëƵ features twin pianos ushering in AdeleëƵs velvety vocals asking, ëƵIf this is my last night with you/Hold me like IëƵm more than just a friend/Give me a memory I can use.ëƵ

After all the heartbreak, reflection and coming to terms with the past, the album comes to a joyous and reassuring close on ëƵSweetest DevotionëƵ with Adele confidently announcing, ëƵAnd there is something about the way you love me/That finally feels like home.ëƵ

With the mega success of ëƵ25,ëƵ Adele is perfectly poised to deliver several more satisfying chapters detailing her life experiences for many years to come.

Clint Rhodes is the ëƵ-Standard music reviewer. He can be reached at crhodes@heraldstandard.com.

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