21

At this point, 21 is basically in the pop music hall of fame. Adele delivered an album filled with nothing but juggernauts such as Rolling in the Deep, Someone Like You, Set Fire to the Rain, Rumour Has It. These tracks were literally everywhere. Like, radio, TV, cafés, your aunt’s living room, weddings, breakups: Adele was the background to everything in 2011.

And the crazy thing is: the songs still hold up. Her voice is so damn powerful, but it’s not just vocal acrobatics, but it’s packed with raw emotion. You feel the heartbreak, the anger, the regret, the longing. That’s what makes the album resonate even now. Tracks like Turning Tables and One and Only show that vulnerability, while still being technically flawless. It’s an emotional rollercoaster but in the best way. My only critique for this album is that in its lyrical content it becomes a bit repetitive at times. While that isn’t too much of a problem as it definitely gives the album some extra cohesion, it would’ve been great if Adele dared to take a deeper dive and go a bit more beyond the surface.

But, she definitely passed the sophomore test with flying colours, no bullocks, just talent, pain and a piano. It’s timeless pop at its best.