Adele stands out in today’s tight pop economy as the queen of cross-generational anthems. Her dignified, stately music on 25 solidified her position as pop’s oldest soul.
She has an outstanding group of friends supporting her to live both a private and vibrant life.
What’s her story?
Adele has quickly established herself as one of the premier artists of her generation, earning critical acclaim with a record-breaking collection of albums named for their age at creation – albums which read like musical diaries of her youth and has sold millions worldwide, won Oscars and MBEs, and is considered to be one of the greatest vocalists ever.
As well as her music, she is known for her open honesty and down-to-earth nature – cackles and vulgarities often accompany her performances, and she makes no attempt to hide who she really is. But that does not make her casual about her success: breaking sales records takes skillful execution, so she approaches her career with as much dedication to detail as her musical endeavors – perfectionism combined with business acumen characterize her success story.
How did she get started?
Music executives were then on the lookout for young women from London who could sing about love affairs; Amy Winehouse and Lily Allen had already proven this, so Adele stood out as an attractive option with her graceful phrasing, elegant arrangements and bold persona.
After graduating school in 2006, she recorded a three-song demo for class and gave it to one of her friends for posting on MySpace. One song called ‘Hometown Glory’ became immensely popular and even caught the attention of London record label XL Records.
Her 2008 debut album 19, released worldwide, quickly rose to the top of charts worldwide and in 2011 her follow up 21 broke even more records; one industry insider described her as an extraordinary artist whose ability to break sales records has been remarkable.
What’s her voice like?
Adele has an immaculate, warm voice which is full of character. She can cover three octaves from low C3 to high C6; additionally, Adele uses falsetto singing effectively on songs such as Skyfall.
Adele has an extraordinary ability to craft lyrics that move and inspire. Her vocal strengths include her silky phrasing and tasteful arrangements; as well as being able to channel intimate emotional experiences (such as heartbreak) into songs with wide resonance.
She’s an astoundingly versatile singer – able to hold notes, sing melismas, and traverse multiple octaves while always keeping the song at the forefront of her mind. Her style has been described as an amalgamation of soul and blues colors with emotive vocalization that puts text first.
What’s her style like?
Adele is not just a global music superstar; she’s also a fashion icon. From red carpet ensembles to casual street wear, her outfits always look impeccable.
She stands out from other singers with her distinct look and unique style that draws upon personal inspirations – for instance Etta James and Ella Fitzgerald are two such musicians that she admires greatly.
She has no trouble speaking her mind and being honest in what she desires – this honesty has cemented her place among today’s performers, while her emotive singing makes tears fall freely from your eyes – whether on pavements or deep water, her music makes you feel something.
What’s her music like?
Adele’s first three albums were loosely conceptual, piano-driven albums filled with pop anthems about heartbreak. Contrarily, 30 is bolder musically.
On “My Little Love,” for instance, a Hammond organ unites with her vocals and emotive lyrics to provide hope in times of despair. A chorus of carefully overdubbed voices adds texture and lift as she belts out lines such as “You held my heart inside your hand.” She never lets the music settle into an easy anthem – never stopping short at singing just “My Little Love.”
“Love Is A Game” is pure romance. Though not an emotional climax of its own, like prayer-like “Hold On,” this track provides the sense of an appropriate and cathartic comeback and release for which many had been waiting. Truly remarkable performance from her that represents some of her most mature work to date on an album that boasts such impressive talent.