Reviews (page 3 of 13)
19 is a solid album but 21 really feels like when Adele reaches another level. Rolling in the Deep is such an awesome fucking song. It’s a never skip for me, and I’ll often listen to all of 21 just because of this song. The whole album is great, I’ve got 7/11 of the tracks saved and this is far from my first listen, I’m guessing I’m around 15+ now. I listened twice while reviewing. She’s just got it. The music is captivating, the lyricism, passion and skill are all in perfect harmony. I do want to point out that amongst the hits on this album that He Won’t Go is always a lovely surprise in the middle of the album. It’s just so groovy and really gives the album a great pacing and some chill energy to set the stage for the back half of the track list. Easy 5.
Un viaje fantástico a través de canciones llenas de sentimiento y emociones crudas que te hacen anhelar aquello que no es o no fue.
All hits no skips, amazing voice.
Was a great album when it came out and still is. Feeling like it's 2011 again 👌
Mein zehntes Album, das ich schon vorher kannte. Schwierig. An sich solide vier, die meisten Songs sind super bis genial, so ganz umgehauen hat es mich aber nicht, Lovesong war für mich zu lang und etwas langweilig. Ich habe 25 schon fünf Sterne gegeben und das war einfach einen Ticken besser, trotzdem ist das echt gut und es ist schön, nach ein paar seltsamen Synthesizergeklimperalben auch mal richtige Musik zu haben. Es fühlt sich nicht nach fünf an, ich habe aber schon viel schlechteren Alben vier gegeben. Eindeutig 4 1/2. Kann ich wirklich beiden Adelealben auf der Liste fünf Sterne geben? Ja. Es erinnert mich an die guten alten Zeiten, wo wir die drei großen Hits im Musikunterricht gesungen haben. Und Ryan Tedder hat da mitgeschrieben. Dafür den Extrastern.
Incredible singing voice, good songwriting, several really good songs.
I love Adele and this is her best album.
I’ve heard the singles off this album approximately 1000 times (like most people) and I was worried id just be tired of them. I was really impressed with the rest of the album as well, so it’s easily a 5
es adele, no hay más que decir
This album stunned me back in 2011, and it still has that unique sound all the way in 2025. From the very beginning, Rolling in the Deep grabs the listener by the throat and by the time you've realized whats happening, you're being held hostage for the entire track list. Adele's music feels timeless and powerful, impervious to time. Her voice is robust and full-bodied, and her music enraptures.
Banger. Even the non hits are fantastic. what a voice 5/5
Well I did not need go listen to this one to give it five stars. But of course I listened and it is great. Although I like her live recording at Royal Albert Hall better, because you can hear what a great person she is as well.
top 3: - turning tables - set fire to the rain - someone like you special mention: - lovesong - don’t you remember - he won’t go
Classic
Iconic
What are those albums that you think? You know what you're getting into, but it still surprises you
She was 21 at the time?! Never heard this in its entirety but many songs were so mainstream at the time. There's so much love-related angst delivered in her signature voice. 5* I needed something more upbeat after this, very depressing. Highlights: rumour has it, set fire to the rain, someone like you
I find it repetitive sometimes, maybe it is because they wanted to mantain the same line... but I cannot deny it is a fantastic show-off of a magnificent voice for someone so young. Besides, many bangers.
I remember listening to this album when I was in middle school. Not much to say, Adele has such a great voice
# Album Name: 21 # Artist: Adele # Rating: 5/5 # Comments: A very talented artist. No doubt. Amazing voice. This is a good album. I just felt the tone of the album was a bit much over the course of the entire thing. Id give this a low 5. Looking back half of the albums are top top tunes. # Top Tunes: rolling in the deep / rumour has it / turning tables / set fire to the rain # Would I listen to it again? Yes
Great album!!!!
Reminded me so much of college, early heartache and singing in the car. I liked "Turning Tables" and "Don't You Remember" less this time around. And I liked "One and Only" more this time around.
Love some Adele
One of the first albums I remember listening to all the way through the week it was released. Although I didn’t understand the lack of a through storyline (I thought all albums where like a musical) I became obsessed with this album. I have listened to it through many times and it has become one of my top 5 favourite albums of all time. Upon a re listen, really focusing on the songs… I think it does have a pretty strong through line of a toxic relationship (hers in real life) and going through that experience. Makes me love it more. There are also 0 skip able songs.
Classic songs to mstch Adele’s faultless rich vocals
Um dos melhores, senão provavelmente o melhor da intérprete.
Yet another album already in my collection. Something new please.
This is a masterpiece. Really superb
I own this album so, yeah, I kind of like it.
Amazing I’ll Be Waiting and One and Only are incredible songs that I think are as good or better than the big 3 (Rolling in the Deep, Set Fire to the Rain, and Someone Like You)
i already know this album like the back of my hand but enjoyed the relisten IMMENSELY i was a young teen when this album came out and oh boy, it spoke to that deep, tortured ragged emotion, dramtic aspect of my life that tormented me but was also what i lived for. there are some undeniable bangers in this album that i can still sing every lyric to. the album starts so so strong - the first five songs are non step bangers. a small bit of a lull before someone like you to finish; i can still see myself sitting in my music class in school, waiting impatiently for my turn to play the opening triads of someone like you, like some virtuosic pianist there have been some albums that i've regretted giving 4 starts to because in hindsight, i've considered them 5 stars. i was leaning towards 4 for this as i didn't want to see biased, or too "pop girly" ... but yknow what, when an album hits you just as hard 14 years after its release, thats a 5 star-er baby.
A hauntingly beautiful album from start to finish. The music offers an array of powerful and subtle tones, while Adele's voice is secondto none.
Who'd have known that basic white girl music of a white girl singing 11 songs about an ex boyfriend would be so good
Not my style of music but was easy to listen to.
She is absolutely flawless on this album. The amount of soul Adele puts into this album its hard as a listener to get swept away with her emotions and talent. Probably in top 25 of all time.
4.5
One of top ten albums of the 2010s. This is one of the albums that I feel should they should have never replaced on the main 1001, especially at the hand of the follow up 25. I personally feel her first two albums tower over the two that followed. But, man, her voice evokes heartache, track after track. On this listen I really was getting into the four or five songs that Lightning 100 didn't play the shit out of... "Don't You Remember" and "I'll Be Waiting" particularly stood out (10) ★★★★★
Excellent album. Already knew several tracks and the rest is just as good. Had already added Adele to favorites but hadn't got around to listen to it.
Straight baller
Fantastic album. I'm normally not a fan of ballads, but every song on 21 is a banger.
Big favorite of mine when I was a child. Worst Song: Don't You Remember? Best Song: I'll Be Waiting, Rumor Has It, One and Only Added to Liked Songs: He Won't Go, One and Only, Love Song; already in liked songs - Rolling in the Deep, Rumor Has It, Turning Tables, Set Fire to the Rain, I'll Be Waiting
311 cover
5-
I love this album. Hard to believe she wrote it at 21. It’s emotionally powerful, beautiful, and timeless.
No conecto con el disco. No es que sea malo o bueno, simplemente no conecto con el. Eso sí, la versión de Love Song me gusta, le da un toque ciertamente melancólico que me gusta.
Biased because this is a favorite of mine but: perfect album, no notes
Never a bad album.
best of all her albums
Not bad. Better when blues rock than when pop. She has a silky voice.
Phenomenal, true talent out of Adele here. Not my favorite genre or style, but acoustically very impressive
Great album. What more is there to say I'm always sold on powerhouse vocals and strong melodies. It's what she's known best for.
amazing vocals
One of the best albums in this list by far - I was delighted when I opened the app this morning. There's just so much real emotion expressed with such ease - one could not speak a word of English and still cry their eyes out listening to Adele. Simply beautiful
I. Love. This. Album.
I knew this day would come. The day I that I would finally listen to THAT Adele album. I got 5 songs in and had already come to the conclusion that all the hype, all the talk, all the fuss was for good reason. I totally get it now. This is an amazing album. All the early hits are here, but it's the songs in between those that show off just how brilliant and versatile here voice is. Yes it's a 'pop' album so to speak, but it's also a blues album, a soul album, a great album. I have no idea what her later albums are like, but this was totally worth the hype. Solid.
10/10 didnt know she has done a the cure cover
Watering eyes on the subway and it's only 6:13 AM. Exquisite, for 14 years running.
Soulful vocals, and nice music.
Oh fuck. Why didn’t anyone tell me this was so good? Two of the three weakest songs were the big radio hits.
Very impressive for 21. Adele has a grand voice, and sings from the heart with emotion that you can actually feel. Bluesy and soulful, all songs on the album are better than good with several mega hits included. Have this one on CD and it got plenty of play. L = (5.0*s) I adore Adele. Her rich, strong voice fills me up. I could listen to this over and over, and I have. J = (4.4*s) she Set Fire To The Rain with this one!
This is my mom's favorite album but I strangely didn't enjoy it as much. 9/10
This album is my guilty pleasure. I love it.
Perfect break up album. Amazing vocals.
Always a fav
3 all time great songs (over 2 billion listens on each!!). She's just one of the greatest to ever do it.
I am not generally a fan of Adele and find a lot of her music boring. But she absolutely HIT with 21. Obviously people know the hits, but the majority of the songs on this album are amazing. My favourites are He Won’t Go and I’ll Be Waiting.
An album that truly deserves the “modern classic” moniker.
This album went triple platinum in my house let me tell you Takes me back to 2011. Me and my friends had this album on anytime we could. Someone Like You was the first song I played on a proper piano. Beautiful piece of music, gives me chills hearing those chords start Chefs kiss, iconic 5 ⭐️
oh jesus, that final song (someone like you will always hurt).... never been much of a fan of adele but, oh, how i enjoyed this album!! its been the first album i knew existed since ive started to rank albums LMAO. besides the 4 songs i already knew, i also liked I'll Be Waiting and One And Only. oh, and Turning Tables and Lovesong, too. at this point, i can practically say all songs were my favourite... sorry, guilty!!
Favorite Track: Someone Like You
I can't even really hate on this album because it's honestly great. It's so much better than 25 which, while well produced, bored me with pop ballads. This one, however, has the sauce. Rollin in the Deep is an epic song and then following it up with Rumour Has It and shortly after Set Fire to the Rain? This could easily be a best of list and instead it's just a really great album. I actually found myself loving some of the other songs that were new to me, like I'll Be Waiting and One and Only. My wife will be glad that I liked this one.
Adore this. Crazy how many hits there is on this one album. Turning Tables, Don’t You Remember, He Won’t Go are faves.
If Britney is the princess and Madonna is the queen, then Adele is the Goddess of pop.
nostalgic
Iconic. A bit too Adele but also so many hits.
I know I’m confirming to the stereotype of believing that the best pop music came out whenever I, the listener, was in college, but dammit if it ain’t true. The B sides would be lead singles on lesser albums, Adele takes the listener through an emotional roller coaster of longing and heartbreak and ends on such a poignant note of bittersweet progress, that sometimes growth isn’t how you’d like it to be.
I had no idea I was gonna enjoy this as much as I did. No skip album, front to back.
So good, forgot how good this album was! Rach and I used to jam this boi
Absolutely fantastic. If pop was consistently this good I'd actually listen to the radio from time to time.
Inte bara en röst. Ett fantastiskt knippe låtar. Femma.
Aunque me gusta más su siguiente álbum, es imposible darle menos de 5 estrellas a un disco que trae Rolling in the deep, Set fire to the rain, One and only, Someone like you y Rumor has it. Un milagro que venga tanto tema glorioso en un mismo disco. Y además pues a Adela se le ama, así que tenga sus 5 estrellas.
Great voice with a lot of really great songs. Going to put this on the 5 side of a 4.5. Wasn’t sure which way I was going to slice this one but it is really good.
Magic.
Obviously a great album, one of the best of 2010’s. I don’t listen to much Adele but this is probably my favorite album of hers. Take it all and turning tables were too songs that got overlooked by rolling in the deep and others.
5/10
Honestly I’m not a huge Adele fan but this is a great album and she’s an amazing singer
Classic
masterpiece ! work of art ! 5/5
Jó lemez lenne, fun lehet olvasni közben
This album is one of my favorites. Adele is one of the best of our time and I can't believe this album is already 14 years old. 1. Rolling in the Deep - instantly 5 stars. This is the song that launched Adele's career. This is definitely an album I can listen to beginning to end without missing a song. Every song is about a boy, which gets a little competitive, but Adele's voice and music composition make up for whatever the underlying message of the song is.
Great Album with so many bangers - 11/11 no skips Added to Likes Songs Playlist: Rolling in the Deep Rumour Has it Turning Tables Don't You Remember Set Fire to the Rain He Won't Go Take It All I'll Be Waiting One And Only Lovesong Someone Like You
Adele is always amazing.
Just fantastic album front to back. Songwriting, performances, etc.
absolutely phenomenal album
Piano, sad girl, strong vocals, milfy at 21. What's more to want? Also damn this album is straight uo half top 10 hits.
Classique depuis 2011
Looking at this album, I'm reminded of Alanis Morissette's Jagged Little Pill. There were a million singles off the album and all of them were hits that you could not escape. Rolling in the Deep is a great song. Rumour Has It is another great song. Turning Tables wasn't as big a hit as the other singles off this album, but it's terrific too. Don't You Remember is the first album track. She just kills everything she does. Set Fire to the Rain was huge and it's one of my least favorite Adele songs. He Won't Go is one of the best songs on the album. One and Only is another amazing song that was not released as a single. Joss Stone listens to Adele and wonders what could have been. I've forgotten how good some of these songs that weren't released as single were. Lovesong is not as successful a cover as Make You Feel My Love from 19. Someone Like You is another great song. Adele can convey hurt without sounding weak better than anyone. The whole album is a great reflection on two people moving in different directions, the hurt, the anger, the coping, the coming to terms with what happened. Someone Like You is a perfect encapsulation of the whole album.
This is in my top 50 albums of all time. It’s not just the voice, it’s the arrangements, the songs, the lyrics and the production. All fantastic. And then there’s that voice. Iconic. A no-skip optimistic celebration of the melancholy moments in life. The perfect Sunday evening album.
Adele doesn't need auto tune, auto tune needs Adele
it's just so peak 😭😭😭😭🔥🔥🔥🗣️🗣️🗣️🗣️ May God strike down thee who dare not rate this a five. I remember, Adele.... I remember....
Spectacular voice, soulful renditions of heartfelt love songs. Put aside all of the tired, white male POVs in this review section and recognize this for what it really is, a generational talent with spectacular song writing. Aside from the massively impactful singles assembled on this album, even the toppings are tasty. Turning Tables and Someone like you are peak Adele; brilliant, tragic, enveloping. They suck you in and make you feel comfortable.
One of my favorite albums; a classic
Classic
pretty much peak
21 by Adele is one of those albums that really sticks with you. For me, it’s a record that encapsulates raw emotion and stellar songwriting, all wrapped up in a sound that’s as timeless as it gets. While there are a few minor niggles, overall it’s an absolute stunner. The production on 21 is top-notch. Every track is polished and lush, yet it manages to maintain that raw, emotional edge that makes it so relatable. Songs like “Rolling in the Deep” and “Someone Like You” are crafted with impeccable detail—the layers of instrumentation, from the driving percussion to the haunting piano, work in perfect harmony to create a soundscape that’s both powerful and intimate. The songwriting is another huge plus. Adele’s lyrics capture the rollercoaster of love and loss in a way that feels deeply personal and universal at the same time. Every track is like a diary entry set to music, and you can’t help but be drawn in by the raw honesty behind each word. I’ve got to say, Adele’s vocals on 21 are nothing short of phenomenal. In my perspective, she has one of the greatest voices of all time, and she should always be in that conversation of who is the best. Her voice is rich, warm, and laden with emotion—it’s like every note carries the weight of her experiences. The control she exhibits, especially on those soul-stirring ballads, is mind-blowing. The way she effortlessly transitions between powerful belting and soft, tender crooning is a masterclass in vocal dynamics. Every vibrato, every subtle nuance is delivered with such precision that you can’t help but be drawn into the narrative of the song. That said, no album is without its flaws. For me, a few moments on 21 could do with a tad more variety in the arrangements. Some of the tracks follow a similar pattern, which can feel a bit repetitive if you’re not fully engaged in the mood. Additionally, while the production is lush overall, there are instances where it borders on being over-polished, slightly masking the raw, gritty emotion that the lyrics demand. Still, these are minor negatives in an otherwise phenomenal record. Overall, 21 by Adele is a stunning piece of work that blends impeccable production, compelling songwriting, and one of the most incredible vocal performances ever recorded. It’s an album that speaks to the heart, and for me, it’s a near-perfect slice of musical genius. A solid 4.7/5 stars
It's not something I would immediately listen to but every single song is a hit and that has to be respected. One of the best popular singer-songwriter albums ever made.
5/5. To deny the importance and influence of this album is to admit living under a rock for a decade. Every song here, even if not a hit, imbues a higher tier of songwriting. Yes, it's pop ballad album from the 2010s yet sounds like it could fit in any decade before. And with the plethora of similar styles, each song is unique and original within the massive genre. I know it's already been said, but she is 21 here. I could barely graduate college and she wrote 10 #1 singles. She deserves the credit she receives. Best Song: Someone Like You, Rolling In The Deep, Set Fire To The Rain, Don't You Remember
amamos
This is unquestionably incredible. Adele did this at 21?????? Best Song: Turning Tables Rating: 9.0/10 5 Stars
A great pop album
i love love adele and this was no exception ofc I have my favs off here like "set fire to the rain" "rolling in the deep" and "someone like you"
Very good. Nice to return to it after a few years. What became of this lass?
absolut geil. mir isch nonie ufgfalle wie fest de bass bim refrain vo rolling im the deep inefetzt. au s churze intermezzo mit nur perkussion und stimm isch super und füert dezue dass d band nacher wieder meh zur geltig chunnt. di nöchste beide songs au absoluti bangers. don‘t you remember fallt findi chli ab, chli kitschig und harmonisch wenig interessant, aber de rhythmuswechsel im refrain isch sehr geil. set fire to the rain wieder hammer. allgemein liebi wie si iri songs ufbaut, s sind starchi dynamischi und guet instrumentierti entwicklige. he won‘t go: was macht si geils mitem rhythmus im refrain?? und eif harfe ide band, so cool. take it all wieder chli langwiilig, aber i‘ll be waiting sehr positivi überraschig, wieso isch das nöd bekannter? one and only chli langwiilig, lovesong würkt au biz so, aber ich finds no herzig. someone like you: au wenns eifach tönt, ich chas eif nöd nöd fühle. geile harmoniewechsel bi i found a boy!
No notes, simply amazing
Start of the last decade was by no doubt impactful on the trajectory of British pop music. We lost Amy, gained lots of incredible records, such as Hurts' "Happiness" and Adele's "21". An emotional and soulful record, guided by the main vocalist's voice, surrounded by talented musicians and producers.
Classic amazing wonderful
Great album
This is a great album. Hilarious she’s dating Rich Paul
Just an amazing voice. 5 stars
Fantastic well-written songs, sung amazingly. The album hangs together well and bears repetition. Easily deserved of a place in this list.
pop perfection
Powerful
Great Adele
duh
Never was a fan of this type of electronica.
Great album.
Amazing. No notes.
Reviewed- 90/100
Still amazing. So simple, rich, and incredible.
Love Adele, without a doubt.
So I was thinking about the songs that ended up on the radio from this album. Rolling in the Deep was the first song I ever heard of hers. It was strong and powerful and accompanied by a really cool video. Then Rumor Has It came on which I’ve known very well. Then they was Turning the Tables followed by Don’t You Remember, and Set Fire of the Rain. I finally heard He Won’t Go, a song that wasn’t on the radio. Then I realized it too was on the radio. Matter fact, I think out of this entire album I didn’t hear one song that was on the radio, just some you could hear more than others. This is definitely one of the strongest contributions to music in the last 20 years. There’s so many great songs and her voice is just phenomenal. I loved her version of Lovesong by The Cure. But I think my favorite track on here is actually the one I heard the least which is I’ll Be Waiting with its retro-Motown feel. This one is definitely a modern classic.
5 - more of a tentative 5; maybe not my exact taste but it has its times, it’s a crazy 11 track run that conveys so much, hard not to be influenced by hearing this everywhere after its release but for a reason
Great voice beautiful songwriting
Very good album. The hits are amazing. Her cover of love song was great. Very haunting. I hadn’t heard this album in its entirety before and I’m glad I did.
Knew 2 songs. Enjoyed it
Perfect album
I love this album, Adele's voice, and the melodies.
Already listened to this one before. Will give it another listen and relive the memories from previous listens. Will likely only do a single listen since I can almost recite this one word for word.
Very cool! A strong voice!
Classic!! Such a great album!
All time. Timeless. There is no one like Adele.
21 is absolute fire from start to finish, not only is Adele an elite vocalist, she also wrote one of the greatest break up albums of all time, the fact you can even put Someone Like You as the closer is ridiculous. Lovesong is my favourite covers ever. 9.0/10
adele to me was always an interesting case for as long as i've lived. with lyrical pop tracks that are heavily inspired by the likes of ella fitzgerald, adele's second album stood out when it released and it still stands out pretty well today. she's a very talented singer and songwriter, and even if a song or two on the album is a cover, it's still fantastic to listen to.
This is in heavy rotation in my house as my wife loves it. I have to admit, I do too. Wonderful song writing great delivery.
I have already listened to this album but I am excited to hear it again! Her voice is actually unmatched and same with her writing style. She makes everything beautiful even the most heartbreaking songs. I also feel her cover of love song by the cure is so beautifully remade and she really manages to make it her own. Top songs: One and Only, Rumour Has it, and Take it All
So chill but still drives home. Absolute masterpiece.
I've always liked Adele and this is her best album. Most of it is concentrated on her breakup with her partner which was obviously traumatic for her and like Amy Winehouse she channelled these emotions into her music. Some say it's depressing but the strength in her voice and the sincerity of the delivery make this album a true work of art. Set Fire to the Rain is one of my all time favourite songs by a female artist. It's a 5 for me
Sacrilege that this was removed from later editions of the book
One of those albums that you listen to through cultural osmosis over the years, hearing people rave about how good it is, and you think to yourself 'Yeah, it's pretty good, but probably a bit overrated.' But no, actually, it truly is that good.
A great work of art
Excellence!
This album is brilliant. Its haunting, its chilling, its poppy, its fun. Its kind of all the ranges of human emotion. I love her fresh take on blues, jazz and soul. Its hard not to like this album. I remember at the time feeling conflicted. I heard it on the radio in the UK all of the time, and I didn't want to like it, but its so hard to hate on Rolling in the Deep. Even the non-singles are good. They're thoughtful and interesting. She plays with her vocal range and different elements of the blues. It's super dialed. And yes, some songs feel like they were written by a 21 year old (which was literally the case) But other songs feel totally timeless. She really reminds of Zach Bryan, where some songs are maybe a bit cheesy but both artists are striking a chord that most people can get behind. Its hit deep and surface level at the exact same time.
Enjoyed this a lot woohoo
Favourite
This has some of my favorite pop songs on it. Just a very solid album.
My favorite Elvis Costello album. More cohesive sounding than the first one. No skippers on this one!
Just a fabulous voice. Power and emotion. I found her album 18 on iTunes when it gave away her Chasing Pavements song away as it's song of the week and I've been a huge fan ever since. "Someone Like You" is an all time break up song.
vocals, lyrics, emotions, everything's here
Really amazing record and so well produced. It feels so big but only runs for 52 minutes. Seeps so much emotion, Adele has an incredible voice, the accompanying music works as a perfect compliment.
I love this album. I’m not sure there’s a better vocal performance on any record of the twenty first century to date. https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-21-by-adele?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
I can't believe so many of Adele's best tracks are on the same album. To be fair most of the songs I didn't already know were a step down in quality from the hits, but when the hits are this good who cares? Adele's voice is so emotive - great album, would play on repeat
Just one of the greatest albums ever--I'm always returning to it on road trips. I think Waiting For You is my actual apex on the album and with all of the other hits here, that is saying something!
simply one of the greatest albums of all time. Feels like it should get old before the end but it does not. Banger after banger!!!
Adele’s 21 is a masterclass in heartbreak, soul, and sheer vocal power. From the opening stomp of “Rolling in the Deep,” it’s clear this isn’t just another breakup album — it’s a storm of raw emotion wrapped in stunning songwriting and flawless delivery. Adele doesn’t just sing about pain; she makes you feel every word. Big hits like “Rumour Has It” and “Set Fire to the Rain” showcase her ability to blend pop accessibility with old-school soul, but it’s the quieter moments that really shine. “Don’t You Remember” is a criminally underrated deep cut — aching, vulnerable, and beautifully restrained. Her take on The Cure’s “Lovesong” strips it down to its emotional core, transforming it into something haunting and elegant. Every track on 21 serves a purpose, and Adele’s voice is the guiding force — powerful, bruised, and completely human. This is the rare album that’s both critically respected and universally embraced — and it absolutely earns every bit of that praise. Favorite song: Don't You Remember
I’m a sucker for Adele - love her voice. Specifically on Someone Like You. Actually saw her live at MSG. Was slightly disappointed she didn’t try the original “don’t forget me I beg” line in the original pitch/key/tone whatever the proper term is. I really like this album and yes - it’s worthy of 5 stars. Didn’t realize Rick Rubin produced.
Love this album, front to back. Adele’s voice is so damn incredible, it blows me away every time. I love the vintage aesthetic of the music, it compliments her voice so well. One of the best pop-centric albums to come out in my lifetime, in my opinion. Grand slam of an album. Go Phillies!
Где то местами есть пресность, но бля в целом прям ахуенчик плотный. В наши то времена тем более
Great vocalist.
Fantastic album.
Adele is electric!
Adele > Taylor Swift
THERE’s the Adele I was waiting for - white-hot angry, raw, evocative, witty, heartbroken. I revere this album for rekindling my interest in popular music after almost a decade of being dismissive. Globally it would seem that I wasn’t the only one. The cross-generational reach of this album cannot be overstated.
i LOVE THIS ALBUM
Понравились песни, которые я до этого не слышала
Although I’d still consider this laboratory soul, you can’t deny the power of Adele’s voice. Even with a team of producers carving her up for pop stardom, she can still turn phrases with earnest magic.
When first released, I wasn't a fan of 'Rolling in the Deep' or 'Set Fire to the Rain' so never listened to them, but having to listen for this review, I've done a 180, they're both really strong tracks, the latter in particular is very good. 'Turning Tables' has a lovely piano 'riff' (if you can call it a riff, that's the metal head in me speaking) 'I'll Be Waiting' has a catchy feel good chorus and is probably the best song that isn't one of the big three singles that was released from this album. Adele really goes for it vocally on 'One and Only', she really does have a phenomenal voice. 'Someone Like You' closes this album, and not only is it the best track, it is, in my opinion, one of the best pop songs of all time, I really do think it's a fantastic song, that I got goosebumps listening to. This album gains an extra star just for this song alone. Overall I debated giving it a 4 because it's quite similar when listening as a whole, but the tracks are easily strong enough to warrant a 5.
Major Amy Winehouse vibes....
All time classic. Nude said. (Croydon is goated)
This was such a phenomenal album. The impact that this had at the time was just massive. Every song in here is good.
Wunderbare Stimme, toller Mix. Wenn jetzt die Texte noch interessanter wären ...
This album is standing the test of time. An easy listen with music that hits you in the chest.
Adele slaps so hard. Getting goosebumps over here.
Nice voice
Adele, great as always
aso rolling in the deep isch würkli en HAMMERSONG oki ich hans iwie na mit chli meh wumms im chopf aber ja riesige refrain rumour has it mega coole refrain, gfalltmer jz nöd megaa krass persönlich aber definitiv spannend poah und denn d bridge turning tables isch extrem schön das han ich mier au vo 25 erhofft!! würkli eifach e schöni klavierballade, chli mit striicher untermalt fuck don't you remember au extrem schön jaa set fire to the rain han ich immer chli zu hüfig ghört für das dass ichs nöd soo guet find....aber jz gad findis gad huere guet hahaha, so en richtig mitrissende refrain mite drums SOMEONE LIKE YOU ISCH AU DRUFF POAAAAH he won't go isch au en bop???? d drummsss und allgemein die musikalisch undermalig isch SO guet und recht vilsiitig hahaha hetts nöd denkt aber isch gad uf 5er kurs take it all isch sochli joa, finds jz nöd so krass ICH WERDE SEIN WARTEND BOP eins und nur poaahh han denkt es isch halt eifach e klavierballade wieder aber würkli d gitarre wo im refrain chunnt mmmh d bridge änderet iwie voll d struktur vom song? mitem klavier undem backgroundgsang lovesong findi voll ok, uhh d harmonika(?) im hindergrund?? ja someone like you overplayed des todes aber ich lieb de song FUNF
it’s Adele duhhh
Made my whole morning better. Adele’s music does not age I will always hold turning tables somewhere special in my heart. 10/10
Listened 10-11pm and 7am-8am
A stunning album that feels like such a staple in the pop catalogue now that it’s not really worth talking much more about. I have heard Rollin in the Deep to death but it is still an incredible song, and Someone Like You is such an emotionally powerful closer. Set Fire to the Rain is another huge power ballad, and Rumor Has It is the other massive song but a much more fun up-tempo number that adds a lot of variety to what could be a quite samey record. The production is quite sparse but it suits Adele’s powerhouse vocals perfectly and - while not every song can be a hit- Turning Tables, Take It All, and particular the gorgeous Lovesong are all highlights that are slightly more buried in the tracklist. It’s not really for me and in terms of personal enjoyment I’d probably only give it a 4, but it does what it sets out to do perfectly, and if you’re more of a fan of that kind of easy-listening minimalistic pop with huge dynamic choruses then there’s not really many better examples than this
Louise told me to give her 5 stars...
So good. 5.
I'm playing catch-up again with my list, but this is a great album to start my workday with. I've heard the popular songs, but never listened to the album. I will listen again!
The vocal goat arising one
CLASSIC
Obra maestra, de mis favoritos. Grandes canciones de principio a fin.
Adele's Prime! It seems like yesterday that the songs from this album exploded all over the world. But on the contrary, it has been more than a decade. I grew up listening to Adele's songs. It's part of the soundtrack of my life. I say again, just as I did in the 25 review, that this is the greatest singer of this century. Her songs will echo forever!
Pop with some soul influence. I was a little biased against this album because I’ve heard a lot of the songs so much on the radio, but this really is a fantastic album. Great vocals and lots of different styles of songs.
The theme of this album is “Adele is an amazing singer”. That theme works because Adele is an amazing singer
Astonishing for a 21 year old.
5/5
Album 499 of 1001 Adele - 21 Rating : 5 / 5 A top notch album, for its genre. Not something I would normally reach for. There was a time in my life when I would have as I jumped on most anything that made the charts. I've only heard the opening track from her but her popularity and the hype behind her hasn't been hidden from me. I found each track to be very listenable, being both well written and performed. This may be one of the '5' ratings that I don't pull out again but I have to be open-minded and fair. From a young age, there were recordings of great female vocalists around and I listened to my share. Joplin, Streisand, Ronstadt, etc...some great recordings. This easily belongs in the list with those.
"Why did no one told me this was a Soul album?" is the reaction of this 50yo youtuber who had an "Old man listens to..." series in which he would spin an unknown (to him) record and react to it. The series has some very memorable moments and him reacting to 21 is certainly one of them. By the time Someone Like You ends, Sam (that's his name) struggles to recover his broken voice while saying that, he, being a happily married man can totally see a moment in his life when that song would have destroyed him. "Sad bastard music" he calls it lol. I first heard 21 back in 2011 via illegal download like every other functional millennial back then. The quality of the files in that late bootleg era was quite good so it was quite enjoyable. The record to me starts a bit slow, but by the time it reaches "Don't You Remember" is one hit to the soul after the other. Her voice is just incredible and yes, Someone Like You is a song for the ages: being one of the saddest songs of the century, it offers hope and confort in the idea that she WILL find someone. Once you see how the song connects with people (Sams reaction or Glastonbury 2016 to mention a couple) you cannot deny how deep and straight up human the song is. Nowadays the record has been taken out from the list, first in favor of 25 and then of 30. Both takes just ridiculous, as those albums may be superior in production and maybe maturity but will never match the soulfulness of this one. This one is Adele's ultimate triumph.
Absolute classic
GG
I love this album. So, so much
Just brill
Say what you will about Adele, her voice is amazing and her albums are immaculate.
I think this is one of the perfect albums of the early 2000s. Adele's voice is melodic, serene and at times, bluesy. The depth of feeling in this album is the benchmark for the decade.
Gotta say, I really enjoyed this. Far better than the other albums of hers that have popped up here. Listened to it three times now. Great from start to finish
Heard before Saved 11/11 Top track: Someone Like You
I was very torn between rating this a 4 or 5, but decide if I gave American Pie a 4 based only on the title track, this earned a 5 based strongly on Someone Like You (but with a much better supporting track list). I’ll say this is the weakest 5 I’ve given so far, but still think the album is deserving.
Truly a modern classic; Adele’s voice is one of the greatest.
One of the most powerful/beautiful voices of the last 20 yrs.
Great voice and melodies. Also I discovered a bit of diversty in Adele's work that is dismissed
Always nice to see a more contemporary album! Despite the extreme popularity making it harder to judge, I still believe it's an incredibly powerful album. 'Rolling in the deep' and 'Someone like you' both lost some of that luster from overplaying, but I can still feel it from some of the less known ones like 'Turning tables'
Already knew and liked the radio hits, but found even more once I dove in. Her voice is ridiculous and knowing “Someone Like You” was done in a single take makes it all the more unthinkable. I wouldn’t get there in infinity takes.
without this album we wouldn't have the glee rumor has it/someone like you mash up so like obviously it's a full five stars
i gave this one a 5 last time so i'll give it a 5 again tbh. i feel like the emotions really hit.
Amazing album! Loved it!
Great voice, fantastic songs, this is an incredible album! 4.5 stars
Oh yeah Adele! What a great voice always a 5 for me😎
The popularity of this album was/is justified - 21 is fantastic from start to finish.
Love it!
I think I land at 5. There’s a lot of emotion and orchestral over the top-ness that truly is hit or miss for me. The album is charged with emotion and has good listenability and variability to stay interesting. It’s popular for a reason
Well, I’ve already heard Adele’s album after this, 25. While I felt mixed on that follow up, here 21 ends up being overall powerful, from the singles to the deep cut ballads. The song sequencing is well structured, taking more cues from country and roots music, and consistently produced courtesy of guys like Ryan Tedder and Rick Rubin. The album follows an emotional journey that Adele went through post-breakup, with a lot of the immediacy and stakes present in the lyrics and vocal delivery. Each song hits from the opening one-two punch of “Rolling in the Deep” and “Rumour Has It” when the rage is seething in the immediate aftermath, to the complexity of the relationship painted in “Set Fire to the Rain”, to the yearning of what could have been in “He Won’t Go” and “Take It All”, and finally to the surprisingly potent cover of The Cure’s “Lovesong” that is thematically followed by such an impactful closer in “Someone Like You” in wishing the best to a now past lover. It is an amazing time capsule of such a hard time for her, and while she’s done some healing since, it’s impressive how she was able to capture what she went through. Give it a listen.
What a voice! I could listen to this on repeat all day.
A smashing success
Never considered myself an Adele fan but this album absolutely slaps. Adele's voice on this record is just so powerful. Love it
Fabulous album and one that I listened to many times.
Pleasantly surprised
nostalgia wins
Hit some feelings I didn’t know I had
Classic
Adele slaps. I guess everyone but me knew that.
As an Adele fan, this was a pleasure to come across, and i really enjoyed revisiting this album. Her best songs, ironically, are the ones that aren't the ones you hear on the radio, but the more heartfelt ones. It will never top her first album 19 (one of my favorite albums of all time) but it still has the core of Adele
It's easy to see why this is so popular - it's very easy to listen to.
Popmusik vom feinsten
A huge classic. I have lots of memories of belting out songs from this album during that time of my life.
Incredible breakup album
I've grown up on Adele as both my parents were (and still are) massive fans of her. I knew most of these songs (Rolling in The Deep, Turning Tables, Rumour Has It, Love-song, Someone Like You, Set Fire to the Rain) but it was nice to revisit them and other underrated gems. This is such a brilliant album and her voice (in my opinion) fits this phase of her music best. 10/10.
Prima
5/5
Holy fuck, this caught me by surprise. We had that other Adele album that was just OK, so when this came up, I expected it to be more of the same. Then Rolling in the Deep came up, and I was like “Well, this is a fantastic song, but we all knew that. The rest of the album, surely, is just going to be meh.” Boy, was I wrong. I got blindsided by an album that I did NOT want to give a 5 to, but I can’t do anything else. I loved it.
MY GOAT ONE OF THE GREATEST TO EVER DO IT 5/5
21 years old, writing music like this, singing with that voice. What a gift she is! May not be everybody’s preferred style, but the emotions she sings about are universal.
19 put Adele on the map. 25 and 30 are both excellent albums but 21 is her best work. Book ended by Rolling in the Deep and Someone Like You, this album is incredible from start to finish. Her melodies pair perfectly with the softer music and boom when needed. The only song I wouldn't put on outside the album is Lovesong and even then I won't skip it when listening to the album. One of my personal favorite albums of all time, I knew my score before listening and the listen through re-solidified my opinion.
Forgot this album doesn't have a bad song
It's Adele! Nuff said.
She knows how to use her voice and it's so cool!! I started listened to 19 immediately after finishing this one. When is she going to work with that Hozier fella?
I’ll admit, I rolled my eyes a little when I saw this was my album of the day. It was a moment of undeserved snobbery that I now feel bad about. What a great album. There are so many great songs throughout, some of which I just forgot that she did. Rolling in the Deep is certainly my favorite (should have used favourite) Adele song - what a banger it still is. What I didn’t expect on revisiting this is how great most of the other songs are. Rumour Has It, Set Fire to the Rain, and Someone Like You were also massive hits and are excellent songs. I forgot or simply never knew that there is a Lovesong cover on here, and it’s great. I don’t hear a bad song between these either - I kept waiting for the filler and it didn’t come. Five stars and some crow to eat for me.
very good
Big and great surprise, Adele! 😍 Perfect about sound and production!
This album whips ass. I remember what I was doing the first time I heard “Rolling in the Deep” Adele eating heavy cream based desserts and smoking a pack a day just lining up a full album of bangers she would never match again
Absolutely incredible! Each song is unique, perfectly sung, emotional, and so catchy. I could listen to Adele for hours and hours.
I’ve never listened to this album all the way through, knew a lot of the songs and liked them all
Have heard it many a time, but such a great album
Amazing voice - brillant music
What can you say that hasn’t already been said? Perfection.
A great vocalist with an album full of heat.
21 Classic album hadn’t heard in a long time. Rolling in the Deep is still great. Other favorites are Turning Tables, take it all and he won’t go. Love song is great too- Amazing when a cover is 1000x better than original. 5
Her voice is legendary I can’t believe she sounded like this at 21
She gives an incredible vocal performance on every song. I love so many of these songs. You can feel the pain in it all. Take it all and one and only are my favorite vocal performances. Don’t you remember is my fave song. I would love to hear Whitney sing it.
Just a fantastically fantastic album. Reminiscent of Nora Jones, but this one ages much better. What a powerful voice.
I wouldn't have considered Adele my type of music, but i'm certainly familiar with Rolling in the Deep, Set Fire and Someone Like You. That is certainly only half the story... each song has a hook. She's got a beautiful voice and great pop sensibilities. It really is one banger after another.
Classic
a childhood favorite!! the emotions and soul in her voice are breathtaking. very rare for me to have a 0 skip album, but this is one. 5/5
I mean, come on... Banger after Banger
waow
When you write and sound like this at 21, you know that there is a special talent there. Adele has an incredible voice and ability to convey emotion. This is, without doubt, a modern classic.
All songs are good
this album is so good. came upon an r/thecure thread from several years ago shitting on adele for covering lovesong, and while i think the cover is nowhere close to the strongest song on the album, it just made me more solidly convinced to give this a 5 to compensate (and i love the cure too). turning tables makes me cry. for me, genuine emotional response is the difference between a 4 and a 5 and this album does that.
Love!
a soul/jazz/pop classic break-up album, tremendous voice, not a difficult 2nd album at all ... so familiar with the singles, they seem to be on the radio a lot, after 20+ years
Great songs and kinda cohesive.
Meu álbum favorito dessa mulher
great tunes
Great. 4.5 Standouts: Rolling in the Deep, Rumour Has it, Turning Tables, Set Fire to the Rain, Take It All, Lovesong, Someone Like You, If it Hadn't Been For Love
Astonishing talent for being so young.
Overplayed, but there is no denying how good this album is. Not a huge fan, but there are some really good tunes on here.
I had heard her name but didn’t think I liked her…started listening and clearly this was not what I was thinking of. There are some albums on this list that simply put to shame most of the others. This is one such. I’d give it a six if I could. Her voice is so special I wouldn’t care if she were singing a newspaper article to me.
I fuckin' love this. I spent the entire album coming up with reasons to keep this as a 4-star. The sort of lame Lovesong is perhaps the weakest on the track, but that's not a reason to dock a star. This is a five star album. Loved it! Already excited to listen again.
Bruh this album is 13 years old? Damn. (Heard "Rolling in the Deep" on the radio this morning.) She can sing really well and the groove to Rolling the Deep is a bop. I probably shouldn't feel like it reminds me of KT Tunstall, but it does. There's actually some respectable bass on the album, most noticed during "Set Fire to the Rain". There's a lot going on, but it's not noisy. "Take it all" is a great song, the piano really sings alongside her. I'll be Waiting is a jam. It's a great listen from beginning to end. It's not all the same song, and goes between certain genres, from singer-songwriter to a little bit more band/instrumentation.
hit after hit after hit. of all adele's four albums, this is probably my favorite? hard to choose.
I was really touched by this album, as someone who's only grown up with the singles. Glad I was able to sit myself down and enjoy this, it's amazing.
4.5 stars rounded up.
Banger, sollte ich öfter hören
Perfect album. No skips
Run my hometown
Impressive Singer-Songwriter
What a powerful pop album. With the opening 2 tracks being mega hits, the album keeps up a frenetic pace of great song after great song. After learning the context behind the album and it having to do with her divorce, the songs have a lot more meaning. With beautiful soaring vocals and the perfect piano accompaniment, this album surprises.
Can't think there are many people in the world who haven't heard at least one song from 21 at some point since it was released, an insane level of fame and play from a single record and at its best it's brilliant. Set Fire to the Rain is an all-time classic, Someone Like You probably is too though I feel I've heard it far too much to feel that way, but all the singles are monsters in their own right. I really liked Take It All too, of the non-singles, but I feel like if 5 of your 11 tracks are that good and you turn out three historic songs on one record, it deserves a 5/5, allowing for a couple of songs that don't really do much.
This is superb, haven't listened to the full album in quite some time but it's so good pretty much all the way through. Agree that Set Fire To The Rain is the stand out, Rolling In The Deep and Someone Like You also iconic, and Don't you Remember is my favourite of the non-singles. The longer tracks towards the end of the album drag a little while you're waiting to get to Someone Like You, but that's only a minor complaint really. Production is kept relatively light most of the way through, which keeps the focus on her incredible voice. 5/5.
Never, and I mean NEVER, date this girl. When you break up she will write a full album of songs ripping you a new one, whining how much she misses you, and finally coming to terms with your breakup. Oh, did I mention that the songs will be chart topping bangers? Yeah. Great album if you’re not the target of her writing!
Great album. Adele is an incredible singer and these songs are interesting to listen to and show off her range. Must be her best album. Besides the well known songs I also really liked He Won't Go and I'll Be Waiting. Loved her version of Lovesong. It took me a good 1/4 to 1/3 of the song before I even recognized it.
Probably Adele's best album.
Pitchfork called this album "Amy Winehouse meets opera" and i agree. incredibly vocal range over relatively simple and sparse instrumental arrangements that compliment without overpowering.
Seriously good from adele- faultless
To start an album with Rolling in the Deep, end it with Someone Like You, and not have it wane much in between is insane. A pop masterpiece.
What a breakthrough album. Something for everyone to love on here. In addition to great songs, Adele's vocal power takes this up a notch further. One of the greatest voices to emerge this century.
The best selling album for two consecutive years for a reason. There is something for everyone on here. A wonderful collection of pop-oriented songs featuring one of the greatest singers of the 21st century. "Rolling In The Deep", "Someone Like You" and "Set Fire To The Rain" were all smashes for a reason. 21 features relatable content, catchy melodies, both folk and r&b adjacent tracks and a sincerity throughout. Adele really is a massive talent and I think this will remain her masterpiece no matter what else she does over the next several decades. Easy 5.