Album Anniversaries: 5 Years of Reminiscing with Adele’s ‘25’
Five years ago, the release of Adele’s third studio album marked her triumphant comeback in a new direction that symbolized reconciliation and moving on from relationships, steering away from her signature heartbroken style.
In Album Anniversaries, writers honor their favorite aging albums and their subsequent legacies, revealing which projects have stood the test of time.
Written by Keylee Paz
Photos courtesy of Columbia Records
With the 2008 release of her debut album, 19, British sensation Adele reached the pop throne with her formidable songwriting and dynamic vocal range. Reminiscing about a former fling, Adele’s sound created an amateur mix of swirling strings and retro arrangements. In 2009, Adele ended yet another relationship at the age of 21, inspiring her well-recognized and powerful sophomore album, 21. Riddled with melancholic lyrics and a more elaborate production style, the record got her a Grammy sweep in 2012.
After she was diagnosed with a hemorrhage on her vocal cords in 2011, Adele’s career was put on hold with a mandatory hiatus. During this time, she remained out of the spotlight and settled down with her entrepreneur boyfriend, Simon Konecki. Four years later, on her birthday, she cryptically tweeted she would see 25 again “later in the year.”
Soon after, Adele released her groundbreaking lead single, “Hello,” and announced her third album, 25, which marked the end of her age-titled trilogy. Each of her works follow different phases of life, from failed shots at love to evolving maturity. Like its predecessors, the record lies within Adele’s typical emotional terrain of heartbreak, but it also introduces her newfound confidence to move on with her life — a glorious yet unusual step for the singer. Filled with graceful melodies that are overpowered by Adele's passionate vocals, the album is curated to perfection as it properly describes her transition into adulthood. Her ingenious lyrics successfully illustrate her new perspective on life, showing that her songwriting has matured along with her.
As a mysterious yet elegant opening track, “Hello” serves as a perfect foresight of the album’s themes. On the surface, it seems like another one of Adele’s signature break-up songs with relatable quotes and gloomy musical tones, but it is much more than that. While it could be interpreted as a song about a former flame, Adele actually sings about making amends with herself in the chill-inducing chorus: “Hello from the other side / I must've called a thousand times / To tell you I'm sorry for everything that I've done.” She’s finally reached a good place in her life, but at the cost of becoming more disconnected from the world. These lyrics also read as Adele greeting her fans after going on hiatus and taking a break from music production. As the track that marked her return to music, “Hello” has a similar musical personality to hits like “Someone Like You” and “Set Fire to the Rain,” but it contains a different narrative about self-awareness that diverges from previous tracks.
Throughout the album, Adele reiterates that her dating history still haunts her. “I Miss You” is a unique track that steps into the realm of striking gospel, where she captures the essence of eroticism with the love of her life. These themes expand her songwriting capacity, as she figuratively discusses how she craves physical and emotional intimacy with lyrics: “I miss you when the lights go out / It illuminates all of my doubts / Pull me in, hold me tight, don't let go.” After multiple failed relationships, she captures her dismay of losing a partner she wants to keep for good. A later track also touches upon her history with a more personal approach; “Million Years Ago” is filled with Spanish guitar chord progressions and vocals that allude to a noteworthy chord from Phantom of the Opera. With influential harmonies and her heartfelt lyrics, Adele incorporates a nostalgic tone to look back on her life before fame, wishing she could return to simpler times: “I know I'm not the only one / Who regrets the things they've done / Sometimes, I just feel it's only me / Who can't stand the reflection that they see.” These songs explore moving past existential regret and fears, a theme that remains largely untouched in the pop music world.
“All I Ask” catches Adele at her most vulnerable, showcasing her mesmerizing voice and natural skill on piano ballads. An intentional revisitation of “Someone Like You,” the track’s alternate ending reveals Adele’s desire to make every last moment with her partner count. The tragic yet dramaticized lyrics tell a story about painfully ending a relationship on fair terms while also hinting at her insecurities. With a simple piano instrumental backing her powerhouse vocals, the melody allows listeners to feel the lyrics’ emotional turbulence and passion. “All I Ask” brings the album’s themes together by combining her past love experiences and new mature mindset about never wanting to feel the same pain she felt before. With the consequential lyrics, “It matters how this ends / 'Cause what if I never love again,” Adele overcomes her lowest point with the realization that facing her obstacles is the key to avoiding heartbreak.
The album closes with “Sweetest Devotion,” which reflects a bittersweet conclusion to her aching past and a strong beginning to motherhood. Performed in a major key with romantic, secular harmonies and an uplifting chorus, she sings about the maternal connection she feels with her son. Adele embodies her self-confidence and shows that she is finally settling down: “You're my light, you're my darkness / You're the right kind of madness / You're my hope, you're my despair / You're my scope of everything, everywhere.” With its desirous theme and sophisticated production, the song draws inspiration from happiness and affirmation, two songwriting influences from her previous works. By combining these themes, Adele creates a wholesome ode to motherhood that emphasizes a mother’s undying devotion. Not only does the track serve as the conclusion to the album, but it also serves as a conclusion to a trilogy she created with 19 and 21. With this song, Adele finds inner peace and the strength to move on from her past experiences.
Adele’s 25 opens a new door to overcoming personal obstacles with a path to self-actualization. While songs like “Send My Love (To Your New Lover)” and “Love in the Dark” are infused with clichéd pop stylings, Adele creates an echoing resonance with listeners through non-formulaic curation. Many were disappointed at the lack of her signature heartbreak anthems, but 25 is more focused on documenting her authentic personal journey. The album’s flawless execution retracts from her previous musical style and creates a more optimistic narrative, signifying that Adele is moving on with her life. When we need to uplift ourselves, Adele’s seminal 25 continues to be the 'make-up' record to return to.