Album: 30 by Adele (2021)
Genre: Soul | Style: Rock/Pop | Mood: In Love
Record Label: XL Recordings
Format: Album

Description: 30 is the fourth studio album by English singer-songwriter Adele, released on 19 November 2021 by Melted Stone and Columbia Records. Inspired by her divorce from ex-husband Simon Konecki, Adele tackles the separation on the album, whilst discussing her motherhood and the scrutiny of fame. She wrote the album between 2018 and 2021 with various producers, including Greg Kurstin, Tobias Jesso Jr., Max Martin and Shellback, all of whom she worked with on her previous record, 25 (2015); new collaborators on 30 include Ludwig Göransson, and Inflo of the English band Sault.

The lead single, "Easy on Me", was released on 15 October 2021 to international success. 30 has been advertised using an extensive promotional campaign, which included a CBS concert special titled Adele One Night Only featuring an interview segment by American talk show host Oprah Winfrey, on 14 November 2021, followed by an ITV concert special titled An Audience with Adele on 21 November 2021, and two British Summer Time Hyde Park concerts scheduled for 1–2 July 2022 as well. 30 received acclaim from music critics, who commended its cinematic instrumentation and strong vocal performances. It was described as a pop, jazz and soul album focusing on romantic but melancholic themes of heartache, acceptance, and hope.

Background
In 2018, mainstream media outlets reported that Adele was working on her fourth studio album. On 5 May 2019, her 31st birthday, Adele posted several black-and-white pictures of herself on her Instagram account celebrating the occasion, along with a message reflecting on the preceding year. The message ended with, "30 will be a drum n bass record to spite you". Media outlets took the post as an indication for the arrival of a new album from Adele.

On 15 February 2020, Adele announced at a friend's wedding that her fourth studio album would be out by September 2020. However, she would later confirm that the album's production and release had been delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In January 2021, Adele divorced Simon Konecki, her then-husband and father to her son. In an interview with Vogue published in October 2021, Adele stated that 30 was inspired by her separation from Konecki, the scrutiny of fame and her motherhood.

Production
30 contains collaborations with American producer and co-writer on 25, Greg Kurstin, Swedish producers and songwriters Max Martin and Shellback, Swedish composer Ludwig Göransson, Canadian singer-songwriter Tobias Jesso Jr., and British producer Inflo (of the music collective Sault).

Marketing
Announcement
Starting on 1 October 2021, billboards and light displays carrying the number "30" started appearing around the world, such as at popular spots like Buckingham Palace, the Eiffel Tower, the Empire State Building, the Colosseum and the Louvre, fueling widespread speculation that Adele would be returning with her fourth album, 30. On 4 October 2021, Adele changed all her social media profile images to a navy blue photo and also updated her website to match with a brand new logo. The following day, Adele announced that the lead single, "Easy on Me", would be released on 15 October 2021. The song topped the charts in 23 countries, including the UK Singles and the US Billboard Hot 100 charts.

Promotion and release
In October 2021, Adele became the first person to simultaneously appear the same month on covers of American and British editions of Vogue, both of which featured separate photoshoots for the magazines, and interviews on the new album. On 13 October 2021, Adele revealed the album via social media, confirming both the title 30 and the release date of 19 November 2021. The next day, the album was made available for pre-order in CD, digital, LP (two black vinyl discs), and cassette formats on Adele's website. 30 is Adele's first release not under her previous label XL Recordings; instead, it was released by her label Melted Stone, with worldwide distribution on Columbia Records (previously only handling distribution of Adele's catalogue in North America). Vogue's "73 Questions" video interview segment featuring Adele was released online on 21 October 2021. The track-listing of 30 was revealed on 1 November 2021. The Target-exclusive deluxe edition adds two bonus tracks and a duet version of "Easy on Me" with American singer-songwriter Chris Stapleton.

On 4 November, two weeks prior to the album release, Consequence reported that "a major delay in vinyl production" was caused due in part to 30. In a 3 November report, Variety had stated that Adele had to turn the album in six months beforehand in order to have its vinyl LPs ready for 19 November, the day it releases. More than half a million vinyl copies of 30 were manufactured in the months leading up to the release day, with Sony Music removing catalog albums from its overseas pressing plants to ensure "there won't be any shortage of Adele LPs going into the holidays", which coupled with the pre-existing delay in production due to the COVID-19 pandemic, became detrimental to albums by other artists. Ed Sheeran stated "there's like three vinyl factories in the world, so you have to do it like really upfront—and Adele had basically booked out all the vinyl factories, so we had to get a slot and get our album in there. It was like me, Coldplay, Adele, Taylor, ABBA, Elton, all of us were trying to get our vinyls printed at the same time."

Concerts
As part of the promotion in the US, on 18 October 2021, CBS announced Adele One Night Only, a two-hour concert and television show by Adele, featuring an interview segment with American talk show host Oprah Winfrey; the special was shot at Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles, and aired on 14 November 2021. For the UK, another concert special called An Audience with Adele will air on 21 November via the free-to-air channel ITV, and will released to its on-demand platform ITV Hub; the one-off concert was captured at the London Palladium in London, and will an audience consisting of both fans and Adele's "own personal heroes and heroines, fellow musicians, artists, actors, sportsmen, sportswomen and more." Adele is also slated to play two concerts at British Summer Time Hyde Park, London, on 1–2 July 2022. Tickets were made available on 26 October 2021 on Adele's website and via American Express. Its "extortionate" ticket prices was met with criticism from many fans online, with the lowest possible price costing £90 and the highest being £579.95.

Artist Background: Adele Laurie Blue Adkins MBE (born 5 May 1988) is an English singer and songwriter. Graduating from the BRIT School for Performing Arts and Technology in 2006, Adele was given a recording contract by XL Recordings after a friend posted her demo on Myspace the same year. In 2007, she received the Brit Awards "Critics' Choice" award and won the BBC Sound of 2008 poll. Her debut album, 19, was released in 2008 to commercial and critical success. It is certified seven times platinum in the UK, an... Part of the Tottenham, UK music scene. Emerged in the 2000s era. Associated with Soul movement. Known for Rock/Pop style.

Related Artists: Sam Smith, Daniel Merriweather, Beyoncé, Whitney Houston

Music Scene: Part of the Tottenham, UK music scene. Emerged in the 2000s era. Associated with Soul movement. Known for Rock/Pop style.

Tags: Soul, Rock/Pop, In Love, 2020s, Album, XL Recordings

Additional Context: Rating score: 2. Based on 4 votes


30 is the fourth studio album by English singer-songwriter Adele, released on 19 November 2021 by Melted Stone and Columbia Records. Inspired by her divorce from ex-husband Simon Konecki, Adele tackles the separation on the album, whilst discussing her motherhood and the scrutiny of fame. She wrote the album between 2018 and 2021 with various producers, including Greg Kurstin, Tobias Jesso Jr., Max Martin and Shellback, all of whom she worked with on her previous record, 25 (2015); new collaborators on 30 include Ludwig Göransson, and Inflo of the English band Sault.

The lead single, "Easy on Me", was released on 15 October 2021 to international success. 30 has been advertised using an extensive promotional campaign, which included a CBS concert special titled Adele One Night Only featuring an interview segment by American talk show host Oprah Winfrey, on 14 November 2021, followed by an ITV concert special titled An Audience with Adele on 21 November 2021, and two British Summer Time Hyde Park concerts scheduled for 1–2 July 2022 as well. 30 received acclaim from music critics, who commended its cinematic instrumentation and strong vocal performances. It was described as a pop, jazz and soul album focusing on romantic but melancholic themes of heartache, acceptance, and hope.

Background
In 2018, mainstream media outlets reported that Adele was working on her fourth studio album. On 5 May 2019, her 31st birthday, Adele posted several black-and-white pictures of herself on her Instagram account celebrating the occasion, along with a message reflecting on the preceding year. The message ended with, "30 will be a drum n bass record to spite you". Media outlets took the post as an indication for the arrival of a new album from Adele.

On 15 February 2020, Adele announced at a friend's wedding that her fourth studio album would be out by September 2020. However, she would later confirm that the album's production and release had been delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In January 2021, Adele divorced Simon Konecki, her then-husband and father to her son. In an interview with Vogue published in October 2021, Adele stated that 30 was inspired by her separation from Konecki, the scrutiny of fame and her motherhood.

Production
30 contains collaborations with American producer and co-writer on 25, Greg Kurstin, Swedish producers and songwriters Max Martin and Shellback, Swedish composer Ludwig Göransson, Canadian singer-songwriter Tobias Jesso Jr., and British producer Inflo (of the music collective Sault).

Marketing
Announcement
Starting on 1 October 2021, billboards and light displays carrying the number "30" started appearing around the world, such as at popular spots like Buckingham Palace, the Eiffel Tower, the Empire State Building, the Colosseum and the Louvre, fueling widespread speculation that Adele would be returning with her fourth album, 30. On 4 October 2021, Adele changed all her social media profile images to a navy blue photo and also updated her website to match with a brand new logo. The following day, Adele announced that the lead single, "Easy on Me", would be released on 15 October 2021. The song topped the charts in 23 countries, including the UK Singles and the US Billboard Hot 100 charts.

Promotion and release
In October 2021, Adele became the first person to simultaneously appear the same month on covers of American and British editions of Vogue, both of which featured separate photoshoots for the magazines, and interviews on the new album. On 13 October 2021, Adele revealed the album via social media, confirming both the title 30 and the release date of 19 November 2021. The next day, the album was made available for pre-order in CD, digital, LP (two black vinyl discs), and cassette formats on Adele's website. 30 is Adele's first release not under her previous label XL Recordings; instead, it was released by her label Melted Stone, with worldwide distribution on Columbia Records (previously only handling distribution of Adele's catalogue in North America). Vogue's "73 Questions" video interview segment featuring Adele was released online on 21 October 2021. The track-listing of 30 was revealed on 1 November 2021. The Target-exclusive deluxe edition adds two bonus tracks and a duet version of "Easy on Me" with American singer-songwriter Chris Stapleton.

On 4 November, two weeks prior to the album release, Consequence reported that "a major delay in vinyl production" was caused due in part to 30. In a 3 November report, Variety had stated that Adele had to turn the album in six months beforehand in order to have its vinyl LPs ready for 19 November, the day it releases. More than half a million vinyl copies of 30 were manufactured in the months leading up to the release day, with Sony Music removing catalog albums from its overseas pressing plants to ensure "there won't be any shortage of Adele LPs going into the holidays", which coupled with the pre-existing delay in production due to the COVID-19 pandemic, became detrimental to albums by other artists. Ed Sheeran stated "there's like three vinyl factories in the world, so you have to do it like really upfront—and Adele had basically booked out all the vinyl factories, so we had to get a slot and get our album in there. It was like me, Coldplay, Adele, Taylor, ABBA, Elton, all of us were trying to get our vinyls printed at the same time."

Concerts
As part of the promotion in the US, on 18 October 2021, CBS announced Adele One Night Only, a two-hour concert and television show by Adele, featuring an interview segment with American talk show host Oprah Winfrey; the special was shot at Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles, and aired on 14 November 2021. For the UK, another concert special called An Audience with Adele will air on 21 November via the free-to-air channel ITV, and will released to its on-demand platform ITV Hub; the one-off concert was captured at the London Palladium in London, and will an audience consisting of both fans and Adele's "own personal heroes and heroines, fellow musicians, artists, actors, sportsmen, sportswomen and more." Adele is also slated to play two concerts at British Summer Time Hyde Park, London, on 1–2 July 2022. Tickets were made available on 26 October 2021 on Adele's website and via American Express. Its "extortionate" ticket prices was met with criticism from many fans online, with the lowest possible price costing £90 and the highest being £579.95.

Album: 25 by Adele (2015)
Genre: Soul | Style: Rock/Pop | Mood: In Love
Record Label: XL Recordings
Format: Album

Description: 25 is the third studio album by British singer and songwriter Adele. It was released on 20 November 2015, through XL Recordings. Following the release and international success of her second studio album 21 (2011), Adele considered quitting the music industry and going out on a positive note. However, she decided to take a hiatus instead and raise her son. During her sabbatical, she suffered from writer's block and rescheduled studio sessions for a new album, fearing she had lost her ability to write songs. In 2013, Adele had a breakthrough and the material that eventually became 25 manifested, with writing and recording continuing through 2015.

Titled as a reflection of her life and frame of mind at 25 years old, 25 is a "make-up record". The album's lyrical content features themes of Adele "yearning for her old self, her nostalgia", and "melancholia about the passage of time" according to an interview with Adele by Rolling Stone, as well as themes of motherhood and regret. In contrast to Adele's previous work, the production of 25 incorporated the use of electronic elements and creative rhythmic patterns, with elements of 1980s R&B and organs. Like 21, Adele collaborated with producer and songwriter Paul Epworth and Ryan Tedder, along with new collaborations with Max Martin and Shellback, Greg Kurstin, Danger Mouse, the Smeezingtons, Samuel Dixon, and Tobias Jesso Jr.

25 received generally positive reviews from music critics, who commended Adele's vocal performance. The album achieved commercial success by debuting at number one in more than 25 markets and broke first-week sales records in multiple countries, including the United Kingdom and United States; in the US, the album sold 3.38 million copies in its first week of release, marking the largest single-week sales for an album since Nielsen SoundScan began tracking point-of-sale music purchases in 1991. 25 eventually became the best-selling album of 2015 in the US and UK market and has sold over 19 million copies worldwide as of February 2016. Many journalists felt that the album impacted the music industry by encouraging the public to return to buying physical albums, instead of downloading or streaming.

Artist Background: Adele Laurie Blue Adkins MBE (born 5 May 1988) is an English singer and songwriter. Graduating from the BRIT School for Performing Arts and Technology in 2006, Adele was given a recording contract by XL Recordings after a friend posted her demo on Myspace the same year. In 2007, she received the Brit Awards "Critics' Choice" award and won the BBC Sound of 2008 poll. Her debut album, 19, was released in 2008 to commercial and critical success. It is certified seven times platinum in the UK, an... Part of the Tottenham, UK music scene. Emerged in the 2000s era. Associated with Soul movement. Known for Rock/Pop style.

Related Artists: Sam Smith, Daniel Merriweather, Beyoncé, Whitney Houston

Music Scene: Part of the Tottenham, UK music scene. Emerged in the 2000s era. Associated with Soul movement. Known for Rock/Pop style.

Tags: Soul, Rock/Pop, In Love, 2010s, Album, XL Recordings

Additional Context: Sales figures: 25000000. Based on 4 votes. Available on Discogs marketplace


25 is the third studio album by British singer and songwriter Adele. It was released on 20 November 2015, through XL Recordings. Following the release and international success of her second studio album 21 (2011), Adele considered quitting the music industry and going out on a positive note. However, she decided to take a hiatus instead and raise her son. During her sabbatical, she suffered from writer's block and rescheduled studio sessions for a new album, fearing she had lost her ability to write songs. In 2013, Adele had a breakthrough and the material that eventually became 25 manifested, with writing and recording continuing through 2015.

Titled as a reflection of her life and frame of mind at 25 years old, 25 is a "make-up record". The album's lyrical content features themes of Adele "yearning for her old self, her nostalgia", and "melancholia about the passage of time" according to an interview with Adele by Rolling Stone, as well as themes of motherhood and regret. In contrast to Adele's previous work, the production of 25 incorporated the use of electronic elements and creative rhythmic patterns, with elements of 1980s R&B and organs. Like 21, Adele collaborated with producer and songwriter Paul Epworth and Ryan Tedder, along with new collaborations with Max Martin and Shellback, Greg Kurstin, Danger Mouse, the Smeezingtons, Samuel Dixon, and Tobias Jesso Jr.

25 received generally positive reviews from music critics, who commended Adele's vocal performance. The album achieved commercial success by debuting at number one in more than 25 markets and broke first-week sales records in multiple countries, including the United Kingdom and United States; in the US, the album sold 3.38 million copies in its first week of release, marking the largest single-week sales for an album since Nielsen SoundScan began tracking point-of-sale music purchases in 1991. 25 eventually became the best-selling album of 2015 in the US and UK market and has sold over 19 million copies worldwide as of February 2016. Many journalists felt that the album impacted the music industry by encouraging the public to return to buying physical albums, instead of downloading or streaming.

Album: 21 by Adele (2011)
Genre: Soul | Style: Rock/Pop | Mood: In Love
Record Label: XL Recordings
Format: Album

Description: 21 is the second studio album by British singer Adele. It was released on 24 January 2011 in most of Europe, and on 22 February 2011 in North America. The album was named after the age of the singer during its production. 21 shares the folk and Motown soul influences of her 2008 debut album 19, but was further inspired by the American country and Southern blues music to which she had been exposed during her 2008–09 North American tour An Evening with Adele. Composed in the aftermath of the singer's separation from her partner, the album typifies the near dormant tradition of the confessional singer-songwriter in its exploration of heartbreak, self-examination, and forgiveness.
Adele began writing 21 in April 2009, when still involved in the relationship that subsequently inspired the record. Dissatisfied with once again portraying herself as the musical tragedian of her debut, she had intended to compose a more upbeat and contemporary follow-up. However, studio sessions ended prematurely due to a lack of inspiration. She resumed production immediately after the breakdown of her relationship, channelling her heartbreak and depression into her songs. Adele collaborated with various songwriters and producers, including Columbia Records co-president Rick Rubin, Paul Epworth, Ryan Tedder, Jim Abbiss, and Dan Wilson.
Praised by critics for its understated production, vintage aesthetic, and Adele's vocal performance, 21 defied the modest commercial expectations of her indie record label XL Recordings and became a massive hit in 2011. The album topped the charts in more than 30 countries and appeared in the 2012 edition of Guinness World Records. In the United Kingdom, it is the best-selling album of the 21st century and fourth best-selling album of all time, while its 23-week tenure atop the UK Albums Chart is the longest by a female solo artist. In the United States, the album held the top position for 24 weeks, longer than any other album since 1985 and the longest by a female solo artist in Billboard 200 history, and was certified Diamond by the RIAA. It is one of the top 100 best-selling albums in the United States and earned the distinction of top Billboard 200 album of all time. Singles "Rolling in the Deep", "Someone like You" and "Set Fire to the Rain" became worldwide number-one hits, while "Rumour Has It" charted in the top 20 across Europe and North America.
Globally, 21 was the biggest selling musical release for both 2011 and 2012, and helped revitalise lagging sales of the UK and US music industry. By July 2014, the album had sold 30 million copies worldwide. Critics hailed the album as a shift from the overtly sexual and musically bombastic status quo, and attributed its success to its deeply autobiographical yet universal songs. Shortlisted for the 2011 Mercury Prize, 21 won the 2012 Grammy Award for Album of the Year and the Brit Award for British Album of the Year.

Artist Background: Adele Laurie Blue Adkins MBE (born 5 May 1988) is an English singer and songwriter. Graduating from the BRIT School for Performing Arts and Technology in 2006, Adele was given a recording contract by XL Recordings after a friend posted her demo on Myspace the same year. In 2007, she received the Brit Awards "Critics' Choice" award and won the BBC Sound of 2008 poll. Her debut album, 19, was released in 2008 to commercial and critical success. It is certified seven times platinum in the UK, an... Part of the Tottenham, UK music scene. Emerged in the 2000s era. Associated with Soul movement. Known for Rock/Pop style.

Related Artists: Sam Smith, Daniel Merriweather, Beyoncé, Whitney Houston

Music Scene: Part of the Tottenham, UK music scene. Emerged in the 2000s era. Associated with Soul movement. Known for Rock/Pop style.

Tags: Soul, Rock/Pop, In Love, 2010s, Album, XL Recordings

Additional Context: Sales figures: 26000000. Based on 11 votes. Available on Discogs marketplace


21 is the second studio album by British singer Adele. It was released on 24 January 2011 in most of Europe, and on 22 February 2011 in North America. The album was named after the age of the singer during its production. 21 shares the folk and Motown soul influences of her 2008 debut album 19, but was further inspired by the American country and Southern blues music to which she had been exposed during her 2008–09 North American tour An Evening with Adele. Composed in the aftermath of the singer's separation from her partner, the album typifies the near dormant tradition of the confessional singer-songwriter in its exploration of heartbreak, self-examination, and forgiveness.
Adele began writing 21 in April 2009, when still involved in the relationship that subsequently inspired the record. Dissatisfied with once again portraying herself as the musical tragedian of her debut, she had intended to compose a more upbeat and contemporary follow-up. However, studio sessions ended prematurely due to a lack of inspiration. She resumed production immediately after the breakdown of her relationship, channelling her heartbreak and depression into her songs. Adele collaborated with various songwriters and producers, including Columbia Records co-president Rick Rubin, Paul Epworth, Ryan Tedder, Jim Abbiss, and Dan Wilson.
Praised by critics for its understated production, vintage aesthetic, and Adele's vocal performance, 21 defied the modest commercial expectations of her indie record label XL Recordings and became a massive hit in 2011. The album topped the charts in more than 30 countries and appeared in the 2012 edition of Guinness World Records. In the United Kingdom, it is the best-selling album of the 21st century and fourth best-selling album of all time, while its 23-week tenure atop the UK Albums Chart is the longest by a female solo artist. In the United States, the album held the top position for 24 weeks, longer than any other album since 1985 and the longest by a female solo artist in Billboard 200 history, and was certified Diamond by the RIAA. It is one of the top 100 best-selling albums in the United States and earned the distinction of top Billboard 200 album of all time. Singles "Rolling in the Deep", "Someone like You" and "Set Fire to the Rain" became worldwide number-one hits, while "Rumour Has It" charted in the top 20 across Europe and North America.
Globally, 21 was the biggest selling musical release for both 2011 and 2012, and helped revitalise lagging sales of the UK and US music industry. By July 2014, the album had sold 30 million copies worldwide. Critics hailed the album as a shift from the overtly sexual and musically bombastic status quo, and attributed its success to its deeply autobiographical yet universal songs. Shortlisted for the 2011 Mercury Prize, 21 won the 2012 Grammy Award for Album of the Year and the Brit Award for British Album of the Year.

Album: 25 by Adele (2015)
Genre: blue-eyed soul
Record Label: Columbia
Format: 12" Vinyl

Artist Background: Artist from GB, known for blue-eyed soul, neo soul, pop, pop soul, r&b

Related Artists: Sam Smith, Beyoncé, Whitney Houston, Amy Winehouse

Music Scene: Part of the Tottenham, UK music scene. Emerged in the 2000s era. Associated with Soul movement. Known for Rock/Pop style.

Tags: blue-eyed soul, 2010s, 12" Vinyl, Columbia


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