After that she went on the DL circuit, did an amazing cover of Sam Sparro's "Black and Gold" which was also coming out of the shadows. Still we would have to wait quite some time before we heard any new material. Well.... Wait Worth While...
Three years later and Miss Adkins had grown. A LOT. She also sadly had her heart broken. On her first album it seemed as though the heartbreak songs were fed to her cause they sounded good with her voice. That soulful blues belt. So give her the songs and let her make it out there. Then we have "21" (aptly titled for it was conceived when she was 21) And in it, you can hear all the things you don't wanna hear in relationship songs: the truth. The truth you have faced before and the truth she also got dealt. They say the best albums come from a source of pain, and let me tell you, you can feel it in your own bones. Each track says something different the relationship without topics becoming stale or her vocals becoming repetitive. Covers are given new surges of life, and one song in particular- if heard in the right setting with the right frame of mind- can bring anyone to terms and tears. Being hailed as a top 10 album of 2011 so early and topping charts everywhere, her name is now table talk. Seven times Platinum to date and going. And she is only on her 2nd single....
Known for having stage fright and tossing her cookies after and even during shows this gentle creature still goes out to perform live, ever so humble and sings effortlessly. As if her voice had been locked up for years and now everytime we hear/ feel it it is as crisp as if off a cd... or better. This is a small breakdown of every track and how I see it:
1) Rolling in the Deep- First song and first single released, it starts off a bit stronger than her previous work. You can tell she is a woman now. There is angst, there is revenge, there is BLUES. She brings a gospel thump to this track and by the end you find yourself involved in her rebellion. A great upbeat song sure to have you singing like you haven't before.
2)Rumour Has It- Co-written and produced by Ryan Tedder (of OneRepublic fame and Halo/ Already Gone) he finally brought back something fresh with banging drums, and lots of sass from Adele. Written as a kiss off and definitely about regret- well from his point of view.
3)Turning Tables- Another Tedder write, but more Adele. The song has her reaching that inner empowerment. Speaking about not letting one fight after another break her down. It's about not letting all the arguements continue.
4)Don't You Remember- A song I hold close because it is the exact embodiment of what I went through when my last love was... well... falling out of love. It's like as if saying don't you remember why we were in love in the first place? Is this REALLY how it's gonna end. "I know I have a fickle heart, and a bitterness, a wandering eye, and a heaviness in my head" No more words were more true about last feelings. 5/5 Stars!
5)Set Fire To The Rain- Adding some pop elements into the mix as to not come off as a strictly ballad album, this one really packs an oomph! Starting off suttle and then hitting you with off but smooth notes in the chorus, you can for sure hear all of the ranges and tones Adele has to offer. Like the title the song is about sparking some fire under a dead relationship. Seeing the singer being left, and now telling you to see what you've done and how it will come back to haunt you.
6)He Won't Go- Another think song. Asking one to look at what happens once he's gone. Are you better off, will you miss him, SHOULD you miss him? As if he's already gone, but his memories, his gifts, his smell, they won't go away.
7)Take It All- A gospel song if ever I heard one. I mean, the title says it all. As if everything the person gives just isn't enough. The sacrifices one makes to change oneself, and the attention we give and give and in the end when the other person is just ready to just be done with it so easily... it's like, well here... just take it all. All of me, every ounce. Cause it's what you wanted anyway.
8)I'll Be Waiting- Haven't explored this song much, but seeing the lyrics and having given it a listen I can tell you it's about Hope. Hope that if we change and tell ourselves, and you, that this time we're better that you'll still be up for a relationship. That you'll be waiting.
9)One and Only- UGH! Talk about reaching deep inside and pulling every vocal chord out. The main part of this song simply states "I dare you to let me be, your one and only". It calls one out saying, look I know you've been hurt and I know it's not easy, but I'm worth the try. And if given the chance, I could be the one. A separation from all the victim ballads and vengeful words, this one is actually asking the boy to give her a chance to love him.
10)Love Song- A cover by the Cure (and rebooted by 311) She re-invents it as a smooth ballad. It's got hints of jazz and soul. She could've taken it in a different direction but stayed safe, and because of that she covered it beautifully.
Bonus Tracks:
If It Hadn't Been For Love- a cover by The Steel Drivers, she turns it into a stand alone acoustic funk song. Much like Black and Gold it's just the guitar and her voice. She gives us sass and country while telling us all the things she might have done, if it hadn't... well, you know.
Hiding My Heart- a cover by Brandi Carlile. Now it's hard to cover a Brandi piece because her voice is so distinct and her songs are already classic as they are. But Adele gives us a whole different version. Slowed down, more soul and power in the words. This song may as well have been written for her. Meet someone, find that they are the perfect for you, especially when you feel lowest about what love is. But alas, it's about wishing you could get over how much love can hurt and instead you turn away even when something is too good to be true. Cause chances are it is. Right now as I write this I have the exact same feeling. Scared, if you will.
I Found A Boy- A great follow up song. Using that same RITD attitude, she is telling off her ex who just happens to have one more stab it. And she explains all the torment he put her through and it just so happens she has found someone that can fill his spot and do it better. So now of course he can "Stand beside the river I cry, and let yourself down... Look how you want me now, that I don't need you"
And of course is track 11... wait wha? Yeah I skipped it to save for last.
Someone Like You- The "it" song of the album. Story goes, they settled down, they are happy now. I don't mean to intervene, but I still think of us. Of what we were. But of course, I'll find someone like you. Best wishes, don't forget me. Every lyric has you in silence. By the second listen if you haven't already cried about the exact same situation you were in (picturing that one love in the back of your head) then you are already memorizing the words. The simple keys of the piano and her voice. No big productions, no dancing, no sound effects. A woman in today's music industry need only her thoughts and a piano man to evoke such emotions from listeners she's never met. She wants you to relate but at the same time I almost feel as if it's her story and how, wow, she is an amazing woman. "Who would have known how, bitter sweet, this would taste" I know if I were to ever run into my ex and his current, what do I do. Do I break down? Get jealous? Smash their face in? Smash his face in? Smile politely, wince, grin? Be happy that I got a double that came after him? Cause we all know, though we hate to admit... after that LOVE some part of all your "next's" will be a part of him.
"Nevermind I'll find Someone Like You"
Go buy it, go steal it (not really) just go listen to it. Fall in love like I have and countless others have. Ms. Adkins.. Thank you for your contribution to music.
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