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Alright then, I'm ready.
- Jhanya&Ria's Corner
- Nov 27, 2021
- 9 min read
"I know that it's wrong, but I want to have fun"
30
Adele
Available on all leading music platforms
19 November 2021
12 Songs
30 is the fourth studio album by English singer-songwriter Adele, released on 19 November 2021. It has been highly-awaited after the six-year hiatus the artist had. The album comprises pop, jazz, and soul ballads addressing Adele's divorce, motherhood, and the scrutiny of fame, with themes of heartache, acceptance, and hope.
Ria: ADELE’S BACK. And she’s back with a bang. The album was released a week after Red (Taylor’s Version). Obviously, it’s really sad girl November. I actually expected usual Adele songs or songs similar to her past hits, but this album is nothing like that. Nothing can defeat a better comeback than dropping an album that’s been more experimentative than ever, filled with jazz, retro, pop, ballads, and Adele’s signature vocal ad libs and power.
Jhanya: And we have another comeback this year. I swear. The pandemic may have been bad, but so many artists have been able to regroup and come back in the industry during these trying times and I’m thankful for it. This, to be honest, is the first album of Adele that I was fully invested in without getting too distracted while listening to it. Her previous albums aren’t bad (ex. 21), but they weren’t really for me.
Strangers By Nature
“Alright then, I'm ready.”
Ria: It's so different. I feel like the song is in a diminished key (correct me if I'm wrong). There are so many accidentals and I gotta commend Adele for starting her album this way. It's very different from her usual hits which go up and up. This song is more focused on accidentals (sharps and flats) and staying on her lower range. Gotta say it got my attention right away, though.
“It's like I'm noticin' everythin' a little bit more
Now that all the dust has settled”
Jhanya: This song made me happy for Adele. It introduces us to the album and gives us a taste of how exploratory the whole thing is. The uniqueness of it is definitely something that kept me hooked from the start.
Easy On Me
“So go easy on me”
Ria: This is the iconic song that broke Adele’s six-year hiatus which was released around a month before the whole album dropped. The song talks about childhood, marriage, and the lessons that she learned in her journey. She asks for life to go easy on her because of all she has already gone through. It's really impactful because this is what a lot of us are experiencing right now. Life has been so unfair and we'd like to tell life a huge "please go easy on me". This song also showcases her vocal capability. I mean, those runs, please, I am crying :”). The song also, more or less, gives a teaser for the whole album because, despite her signature clearly seen on the song, it has a unique twist that shows her growth and how much she’s changed.
“Had no time to choose what I chose to do”
Jhanya: I avoided listening to this song when it came out because I wanted everything to be new when I listened to the whole album. I can see why she chose this as a single as it’s a great preview for the album as a whole. As Ria mentioned, the song talks about Adele’s journey, and I think this is also what the album is about. This would probably also be one of the few songs from this album that I’d put on repeat.
My Little Love
“I'm holding on”
Ria: I'm so soft. This is obviously a song dedicated to her son and it shows her vulnerability to being a new mom. I love the small clips of the conversation between Adele and her son. It shows the personal touch in this song and it shows the worries and thoughts she has as a parent. This song goes to all the parents out there who love their sons or daughters so dearly and are still, until now, afraid of screwing up.
“I feel so bad to be here when I'm so guilty
I'm so far gone and you're the only one who can save me”
Jhanya: Like Ria, this song made me soft. The song highlighted Adele’s vulnerability and worries about becoming a good mom after her divorce which is truly just touching. But at the same time, I found it hard to relisten to the song. It just felt too personal to me. Like I was overstepping boundaries in her life which made me pretty uncomfortable. There were also times when I felt that the recordings/vocals didn’t fit the backtrack which took me out of the experience.
Cry Your Heart Out
“Cry your heart out, it'll clean your face
When you're in doubt, go at your own pace”
Ria: The shock I got when the song started is unbelievable. I got confused so much as to whether I was listening to Adele or not. But anyway, this song has a much more reggae, jazzy tone to it which is so ironic as it talks about depression and just having breakdowns (relatable).
Jhanya: I love this song. The jazz vibe just hit it home for me. When I understood the lyrics I simply laughed at how much it contrasted the beat of the song.
Oh My God
“Maybe, baby, I'm just losing my mind
'Cause this is trouble, but it feels right”
Ria: I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS SONG FSR. I love the mood and tone the song sets. The instrumentation is so different and Adele's vocals shine so much. It's a sort-of upbeat song with an R&B (?) tone to it. The instrumentation and melody of this song fit really well with the line "I'm losing my mind" because it sort of reflects the confusion going on in the song itself, in a good way!! This is also something new from Adele's usual songs. I love how she's been experimenting so much in this album!
“I know that it's wrong
But I want to have fun”
Jhanya: And we have another different song! This has to be the “most Adele” song in the album. I know that it isn’t the usual Adele songs we’ve heard so far, but for me, it weirdly felt like it. This actually reminded me that I was listening to Adele lmao. The production of this song is very satisfying. Everything just fits and together like a well-oiled machine, from the instrumentation to the ad libs done throughout the song.
Can I Get It
“Oh, I have promised I will love you 'til the end of time
Through it all, the good, the bad, the ugly, and divine
I will be the melody, the rhythm, and your rhyme
All I want is for you to be mine, mine”
Ria: Did we really just go a little bit country?? Okay, definitely not a country. It's a mix of a lot. I got Ed Sheeran vibes from how the acoustic guitar really shines plus the "clucking" rings in the background. I'M SORRY BUT I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT INSTRUMENT THAT WAS. Adele's falsettos here are also superly exaggerated which fits the song super well.
Jhanya: Ngl, this album is all over the place. In a weird way. This song has multiple genres mixed together and it just left me confused. As much as I like the song, it was so left field from the album that it bothered me. Adele’s vocals and ad libs are as glorious as always so that was a nice touch to it.
I Drink Wine
“So I hope I learn to get over myself
Stop tryin' to be somebody else”
Ria: Definitely sixties or seventies vibes. What I like best in this song is the meaning, aside from the throwback instrumentation of the song. It talks about shedding one's ego and just being free with the person who loves you for who you are and not because they need something from you. I think that in our society now, this song is super relevant because it reminds us to put ourselves down, humble ourselves down, and just be the real us.
“Why am I seekin' approval from people I don't even know?”
Jhanya: Old school vibes. This song has to be my favorite when it comes to meaning. It shows Adele learning from her past, understanding her flaws, and trying to overcome them by consciously changing and trying to improve herself.
All Night Parking (with Eroll Garner) Interlude
Ria: I imagine this song as one of the songs that are played in fine dining restaurants or hotels with the piano. The vibe and mood it sets are sort of similar to that. And for some reason, that's the only thing that really pops in my mind with the song. HHAHAHAHAHA
Jhanya: The piano in this track is simply beautiful. Paired with Adele’s voice and it's very calming to listen to. It’s not a memorable song, but that piano can get stuck in your head for a while.
Woman Like Me
“You ain't never had, ain't never had a woman like me”
Ria: The way that Adele delivers the lyrics of this song is mind-blowingly calm and clear. The complaint she obviously says in the song is usually delivered with anger in other songs, but here she sang it with a calm and collected voice. No screams and no swears, just a few low, slow adlibs.
“Complacency is the worst trait to have, are you crazy?”
Jhanya: Perfect song for all the angry women out there. I love how cool and calm Adele is throughout the song , but you can feel her anger through the lyrics and ad libs. Also one of the songs that gave me chills while listening.
Hold On
“Hold on”
Ria: Her vocals are just *chef's kiss*. The amount of control that she had for more than half of the song is so admirable. The maturity of her voice can also be heard with the exact adlibs and her own stamp on the song. This song is super gospel and anthem-y. It's a nice song to cheer you up and help you just get through everything.
“Oh, what have I done yet again?
Have I not learned anything?”
Jhanya: A very uplifting song to listen to when you’re feeling down. Adele’s ad libs, tbh, were what made the song stand out and really showed her capabilities as a singer. Though it isn’t my favorite song in the album, it’s still a very nice song to listen to.
To Be Loved
“I'll be the one to catch myself this time
Tryna learn to lean into it all
Ain't it funny how the mighty fall?”
Ria: This piano ballad is really meaningful. The song obviously focuses more on the meaning and vocals rather than other factors. The ballad describes the ups and downs of life and the sacrifices that need to be made to prioritize what's really important. The problem with this song is that it is so slow and I got a bit bored near the end of the song which makes it really hard to keep listening to. It has a nice meaning and it's really relevant now, but it's not something I would personally keep listening to or would look for.
“Let it be known, let it be known that I tried”
Jhanya: We love a strong piano ballad. Adele’s voice in this song was just so beautiful and raw to a point that it gave me chills. It’s really the highlight. The lyrics as well are so meaningful and emotional that it can pull at your heartstrings. It’s not a song that you would put on repeat, but it is an absolute gift to listen to when you’re in the mood.
Love Is A Game
“Love is a game for fools to play”
Ria: Another jazzy, string-filled song to end the album. With throwback vibes as well, Adele sings of how love is a pain and the hurt she got from it. It is a game that fools play because the pain that they feel is just self-inflicted, having loved voluntarily. The song gives off vibes similar to the ending credits song of movies. It's super different from her usual style, and I think that's what she was really aiming for. It encapsulates the whole album, which is so different from her past three albums.
“All your expectations of my love are impossible”
Jhanya: A pretty good closing song for the album. I like how it’s not her usual style, showing us that she really changed and wants to try experimenting with her music. And I agree with Ria that it encapsulates the whole album.
Final Thoughts
Ria: Overall, this album is really good. It’s super different from her past albums. Her style had so many twists and turns and she incorporated many different genres into the album. It wasn’t the usual pop album with vocal runs that’s out of this world. The album showcased Adele’s vocal range, vocal maturity, and vocal ad libs and control. The album also delivered a deeper meaning by talking about her life and her hardships. She talks about motherhood, divorce, love, and the problems she encountered. It’s so heartwarming and personal and I actually really like this album. Definitely recommended!!
Jhanya: I just loved how raw and personal this album was. You can feel it all in Adele’s voice throughout all the songs. As a jazz lover, I loved the instrumentation and all the feels from the majority of the songs. Adele showed us how much she matured (but still has her range), from the lyrics to the style, and it’s very touching to see/hear. If you’re looking for a new vocal-heavy album to listen to, this one will for sure have you hooked.
To be blunt and honest though, it took me a long time to convince myself to want to listen to this album. As Ria mentioned at the start, it really is sad girl November, and I’m so tired of all these sad songs coming out. Life is already sad and tiring as it is, so I want something upbeat to keep me going, not put me in a sad mood any further.
Song Rankings
| JHANYA | RIA |
1 | Cry Your Heart Out | Oh My God |
2 | Oh My God | Woman Like Me |
3 | Easy On Me | Easy On Me |
4 | Woman Like Me | Cry Your Heart Out |
5 | I Drink Wine | Love Is A Game |
6 | To Be Loved | Can I Get It |
7 | Strangers By Nature | I Drink Wine |
8 | Can I Get It | Strangers By Nature |
9 | Love Is A Game | My Little Love |
10 | All Night Parking | All Night Parking |
11 | My Little Love | Hold On |
12 | Hold On | To Be Loved |
Rating
Criteria | Jhanya | Ria |
|---|---|---|
Lyrics (2) | 1.5 | 1.58 |
Melody (2) | 1.65 | 1.75 |
Instrumentation (1.5) | 1.3 | 1.23 |
Meaning (1.5) | 1.2 | 1.27 |
Originality (1) | 0.5 | 0.83 |
Relevance (1) | 0.6 | 0.79 |
Loop Value (1) | 0.5 | 0.73 |
TOTAL | 7.25 | 8.18 |
Final Score | 77.15 | |
FINAL RATING:
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