Adele: 19 to 21 - Growing up with the music

Nothing compares,

No worries or cares,

 Regrets and mistakes they're memories made,

Who would have known how bittersweet this would taste?

First time I heard an Adele song was (and I’m really ashamed to say it) something like 8 months ago. Well, I know Chasing Pavements was quite well-known in France at a certain period, but I didn’t know who the singer was and didn’t really care back then… (Shame on me.)
 

Six months ago, I was bored and checking various Tumblrs, when I found a video of Adele performing Someone Like You at the Britts Awards. Usually I don’t really pay attention to music posts, but I desperatly needed some music so I thought “Why not?”  and watched it.

It was a revelation.

Since Alexz Johnson, I’ve had a hard time finding a singer that would amaze me by his voice, a song that would make my hackles rise and my stomach ache in good pain; Someone Like You did just that.

I listened to that song on repeat while packing my bags for Chile. I put the entire 21 album on my MP3, thinking that maybe I would have time to listen to it in the plane… But things never go as expected. I kind of forgot about it for a few days, too busy putting my new life into place and discovering a new country. About one week later, I left the capital to go on a Road Trip with one of my friends, and found time to listen to my newly found album during the 24-hour bus trip that was leading me to the driest desert in the world.

A word to describe the album ? Awesome. Amazing. Outstanding. Pure Genius. (That’s actually 5 words, but I don’t care.)

Rolling In The Deep was the first song to catch my attention (I didn’t even know it was a single), because it actually fitted perfectly to my situation ; the rythm of the song was in perfect synch with the endless road I was rolling on, in the middle of the desert. I listened to it like 1000 times during the trip… Rumour Has It had the same effect on me, with the catchy rythm and chorus that make you want to clap your hands and start singing along.

I also fell in love with Turning Tables and Set Fire To The Rain, which are the same kind of songs as Someone Like You : hearbreaking, beautiful, with a powerful voice, incredible lyrics and some piano notes that catch you from the very beginning.

The rest of the album has the same level of greatness and left me breathless…

Nevermind I’ll find someone like you,

I wish nothing but the best for you, too,

Don’t forget me, I beg,

I remember you said,

“Sometimes it lasts in love, but sometimes it hurts instead

After several weeks of intense listening, I finally was ready to check the first album, 19, in order to see the evolution between the two. That’s where I discovered Chasing Pavement was actually an Adele’s songs, and got to like it more than when it was initially released…
 

The first song to catch my attention was Hometown Glory (yes, I have the thing for sad piano songs); I think I cried a couple of times the firsts times I listened to it; and it still brings some tears in my eyes when it comes up in my Playlists…
 

 I also found some great songs, such as Tired, which rythm caught me from the very beginning; but apart from these two songs, the other songs didn’t catch a string in my soul like the songs from 21 did.

The thing that amazes me so much is that she’s still so young… She’s as old as some girls of my class, and already has that amazing voice and a clear vision of the world that she exposes in her lyrics.

The last thing I can say is that I’m grateful to Adele for giving me that feeling again.

The feeling that famous music can still be good, and that pure talent still exists.

I hate to turn up out of the blue uninvited

But I couldn’t stay away, I couldn’t fight it

I had hoped you’d see my face

And that you’d be reminded that for me it isn’t over…

C.