Music review: Adele — ’25’

Stunned silence.
That’s the best way I can describe my reaction after listening to Adele’s latest album.
The Londoner makes her long-awaited return with the refined and elegant “25.”
While her last release was more of a break-up album, “25” focuses on making the transition into adulthood and dealing with past experiences and relationships in a more mature and understanding manner.
In its basic form, the new material is grown-up music lavishly delivered by an artist clearly coming into her own.
“Hello, it’s me,” innocently announces Adele as she initiates a musical conversation during her attempt to find closure from a previously failed relationship.
“Hello” debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, positioning the haunting number to become one of the most memorable songs of 2015. Make sure you take the opportunity to view the video of the classroom instrument version of Adele singing the smash single with Jimmy Fallon and the Roots.
Just like her previous two albums, “25” represents her age and measures her growth from 2008’s “19.”
While “Daydreamer” opened the debut release with a sense of innocence and wonderment, “When We Were Young” displays tender moments of reflection and letting go of the past as Adele recalls how perfect things seemed to be during simpler times as she sings, “It was just like a movie/It was just like a song.”
Taking a page out of Nick Lowe’s songwriting book, the British songstress is being cruel to be kind on “Love in the Dark” as she sings, “Take your eyes off me so I can leave/I’m far too ashamed to do it with you watching me.”
Co-written by Bruno Mars, “All I Ask” features twin pianos ushering in Adele’s velvety vocals asking, “If this is my last night with you/Hold me like I’m more than just a friend/Give me a memory I can use.”
After all the heartbreak, reflection and coming to terms with the past, the album comes to a joyous and reassuring close on “Sweetest Devotion” with Adele confidently announcing, “And there is something about the way you love me/That finally feels like home.”
With the mega success of “25,” Adele is perfectly poised to deliver several more satisfying chapters detailing her life experiences for many years to come.
Clint Rhodes is the Herald-Standard music reviewer. He can be reached at crhodes@heraldstandard.com.