TESTSPINS | Adele: “21”

July 20, 2024

When I hear an Adele song, even one of her newer ones, I am filled with a very special feeling of nostalgia. Her voice brings back so many memories for me – singing along to “Someone Like You” with a friend in middle school as if I had a clue what the lyrics meant; watching her perform at my very first concert, completely transfixed 25 and shocked by the sheer number of swear words that came from her lips between songs; for an entire school lesson she listened 30 because my teacher could not accept that no one in the class had heard it yet (it was released eight hours before the class started). Despite the fact that their entire discography is capable of evoking such intense memories in me, 21 has always stood out for some reason, and I decided to listen to this recording again to find out why.

“Rolling in the Deep” is undoubtedly one of Adele’s most iconic and instantly recognizable songs. Her deep, booming voice makes this song all-encompassing; the echo effect further emphasizes the power of her voice and her message. As she told Spin Magazine“I say, ‘Get the fuck out of my house,’ instead of begging him to come back.” She laments, she rails, and she warns, “You’re going to wish you’d never met me.” It’s the ultimate breakup song, perfectly capturing the complex tangle of emotions that so often follow… and it’s a constant sing-along to boot.

In the bluesy “Rumour Has It,” Adele takes a similar stance to “Rolling in the Deep,” again making great use of the echo effect. From the biting, raspy pre-chorus to the simple, addictive chorus to the dramatic, piano-heavy bridge, “Rumour Has It” is definitely a highlight of the album and another great breakup song. Interestingly, this song was actually based on Adele finding out her friends were gossiping about her.

“Turning Tables” is the first ballad by 21 and has a rougher vocal than the previous two songs. She sings about self-preservation and not going back to an ex who treated her badly. Next is “Don’t You Remember,” which starts slow and builds, offering a seamless transition from the tempo of “Turning Tables.” The drum beat in time with “The reason you left me before” in the chorus scratches an itch in my brain, as does the powerful bridge.

“Set Fire to the Rain” is, of course, another Adele classic. She describes it as “the contradictions inherent in relationships.” This song, too, completely captivates me when I listen to it – the feeling that her voice conveys, layered with the upbeat instrumentals, makes it so easy to get carried away by her emotional state and feel like her emotions are your own. This is true not only of “Set Fire to the Rain,” but of the entire record.

“He Won’t Go” continues the theme of overcoming the challenges that come with relationships, but instead of focusing on the end of a relationship, it shows her determination to make the relationship work. Although Adele’s voice is the centerpiece of the vast majority of her songs, it plays an especially prominent role here due to the straightforward instrumental accompaniment. Listening to “He Won’t Go” again reminded me of how much her vocals can accomplish on their own, making this underrated track more than worth listening to again.

“Take It All” is a slow, gospel-infused ballad notable for its beautiful lyrics mourning the end of a relationship. “So is it over? / Is it really? / You give up so easily,” she sings. “Don’t look back at that crumbling fool / Just take it all with my love.” This more melancholy track contrasts with “I’ll Be Waiting,” a refreshingly upbeat and optimistic song. Acknowledging her own mistakes, she claims she has changed and is ready to renew the relationship – “I’ll put my hands up / I’ll be someone else / I’ll be better to you,” she declares. “One And Only” also brings variety to the album – rather than being a breakup song, this one is about falling in love. It’s also the only song that doesn’t touch on the particular tumultuous relationship analyzed throughout the rest of the album. 21. “Lovesong” is – you guessed it – also a love song, inspired by The Cure’s “Lovesong.” It’s more soporific than the original, perfectly tailored to Adele’s voice and overall style. The album closes with the popular “Someone Like You.” As Adele explained, “I wrote this song because I was sick of being such a bitch with ‘Rolling in the Deep’ or ‘Rumour Has It.'” It’s the ideal closing track for exactly that reason – it expresses the depth of emotion she felt during this time in her life and paints a more complete picture for the listener. That’s why Adele’s music is so powerful, but also why 21 is so different from her other records: these songs allow the listener to get inside her head – to rage with her, to cry with her, to laugh with her – in a way that nothing else can compare to.

Test Spins is a weekly retrospective column that reviews and recommends classic and underrated albums from the past, published every Friday.

Sydney Levinton is a sophomore in the College of Arts and Sciences. She can be reached at (email protected).