Adele stands out in an increasingly stagnant music economy as an artist with timeless, stately sounds that recall past times.
Her songs capture female rites of passage: 19 chronicles her coming-of-age journey; 25 speaks about navigating relationships and 30 depicts the pain associated with parting ways with someone close.
She has an arresting voice that conveys raw emotion to her audience.
Her early years
Adele’s catchy hits and intimate emotional experiences (such as heartbreak) made her an immediate fan and critic favorite, yet who exactly is Adele?
Adele was born and raised in Haringey, London borough where many struggle to make ends meet. As she moved around frequently between residences, adjusting to school was not always easy until age 14 when she finally got accepted into BRIT School in Croydon as part of its state-funded curriculum.
She began by posting demo songs to MySpace, where they quickly garnered an online following. Once invited to play on Saturday Night Live, her songs quickly entered American charts.
No matter her acclaim and attention from fans, her private life was in turmoil. Her relationship with her alcoholic father had broken down until she met a man who saved her. With their combined strength and vulnerability she created 21 – named after the age of her first pregnancy.
Her music
Adele released 30 in 2021 as her biggest and most personal album to date, reflecting upon her recent divorce and life post-divorce through songs that don’t shy away from emotional vulnerability or melancholia.
It’s a record filled with an air of quiet grandeur and subtle reflection. From “River Lea” to the harmonic intrigue of “My Little Love,” its deeper tracks evoke an emotional landscape that feels real and authentic.
Adele remains an exceptional singer throughout her record, showing off a rare ability to convey big drama, intimate intimacy and casual humor at once. Additionally, her voice remains remarkable with its rich harmony-rich soundscape that resonates so powerfully through your soul.
Her life
Adele has amassed her own A-Team of producers and managers to keep her show moving forward, but is also adept at selecting her team members carefully based on their talents.
Her first album, 19, was both critically and commercially successful in the UK, but when Columbia Records in America called with an offer – “I remember feeling almost speechless as they announced me to Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen! — that her career truly took off.
Adele stands out as an inspiring figure in a stagnant pop economy where her peers often sound alike or pursue whatever trend may come next, reminding listeners what is possible when listening to one’s own heart over what trends might dictate. She has become both beloved and inspiring to fans around the world since releasing 25. One music industry executive told me Adele was “an anomaly,” giving hope and inspiration in an industry which has nearly seen half its value diminish in 10 years.
Her legacy
Adele left behind an amazing legacy as an advocate for individuals with disabilities. We will all miss her warm smile and hard fighting spirit – she truly inspired us all.
Adele first made waves with live performances that earned rave reviews before she released her debut album 19 in 2008. This won her the BRIT Award Critics’ Choice and quickly sold millions of copies globally.
Amy Winehouse was another young British singer renowned for their soul music influences and was widely lauded for the intimate emotional content in their songs about heartbreak.
Adele released the album 25 in 2015 to similar acclaim, featuring Hello as its global hit single that earned her five more Grammy awards – making it her most successful release to date. Adele sold out arenas worldwide during her 30-Live tour that accompanied it. However, she has yet to commit to recording new material.