Adele

At first listen, Adele seems to be one of the carbon copies that record companies shell out to ride the coattails of a previously successful act (the act, in this case, being Amy Winehouse). But don’t be fooled, avid listener: Adele clearly proves she can handle her own and avoid rehab while she’s at it. A London girl born and bred, Adele has already proven successful in the U.K. and at her young age is ready to take on America. Frankly, I think she can do it.

Interestingly enough, Adele did not realize singing was something she could do until Columbia picked her up. “I taught myself how to sing by listening to Ella Fitzgerald for acrobatics and scales, Etta James for passion and Roberta Flack for control,” she said. Her self-taught vocals make her seem – and sound – like she is on the same playing field as the greats she models herself after.

Following in such footsteps with amazing talent, catchy songs, and meaningful lyrics, you would expect some sort of personal, separating factor: a hard-knock life, a tumultuous past, an undeserved, privileged lifestyle – something that would classify her in the category of tortured artist. But the great thing about Adele is that she is personable and, shockingly enough, is able to communicate it through her music. She’s the girl-next-door and believes that this is what makes her special.

The aptly-titled 19 consists of songs that any girl (and maybe some guys) will add to the soundtrack of her life, due to the fact that Adele only is 19-years-old herself and the album autobiographically chronicles a year. Generally, I don’t find many songs that I can completely and wholly relate to any experience or emotion: it’s either too vague or consists of a bridge with lyrics contradictory to the entire song. But each of Adele’s songs takes me back to a specific moment in time, as told by a powerful, soulful voice with a hint of jazz. Her songwriting is intricate and wise beyond her years, which I find impressive for someone not much younger than myself.

“Daydreamer” is the opening track featuring Adele and a guitar. She sings about that girl watching an indescribable boy from afar, knowing that it would never happen in a million years but refusing to believe it. We have all been that girl at some point. And it is such an unrequited love that sets the tone for the rest of your romantic life, not unlike this track for the rest of this album.

The record moves on to “Chasing Pavements.” It starts calm, quiet and contemplative, building up to the chorus that asks, “should I give up or should I just keep chasing pavements even if it leads nowhere?” Supported by violins and a cymbal-heavy drum rhythm, the song swells up and floats back down, paralleling emotions during the decision-making process. You can see yourself asking the same question, in regards to trying to decide if that boy is really worth your efforts or if you should apologize to your friend for that fight you had.

To conclude the album, the final track, “Hometown Glory,” is homage to London, her stomping grounds. A melancholy piano supports her deep, heavy vocals and you can imagine walking through your own hometown in slow motion, reminiscing.

Even with listeners as skeptical with new artists as yours truly, Adele has a way of showing her best at all angles. She’s got it all going for her: the music, the talent, the personality, and remarkable songwriting. Hopefully she will be able to keep this down-to-earth, accessible personality and humbly work herself to the top.

Highlight Track: “Chasing Pavements”

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