15 Years of Adele’s “21”
Article ★ Kenzie Gay ★ @kenzwrites ★ 3 Minutes
15 years ago, I was entering the second half of my kindergarten year. I was 6, toothless, too shy for my own good, and the daughter of a music teacher (still am). My “taste”, if you can call it that, was compromised of Laurie Berkener, Billy Joel (The Stranger went platinum in the Gay family), select Metallica and Eminem, and an alarming amount of Katy Perry. That is, until this very day of February 24th when Adele dropped 21 - her second full length album.
Adele is a name that doesn’t need much of an introduction since it’s powerful in its own decree but to be frank, she was the first person in art who ever gave me a sense of belonging (both as an alto and a plus sized woman) even at that young of an age. To commemorate the album’s 15th anniversary, I thought why not revisit it in all of its glory?
Adele. Left slide 21 album cover, right slide photographer unknown21 is still viewed as the biggest success Adele ever had. It’s even been named as one of the 100 best albums of all time and it still stands as a generational-defining project for the year of 2011 that’s often referenced. This is mostly due to the album’s opening track: Rolling in the Deep.
Believe it or not, 21 was a bit of a struggle in its early stages. Adele initially had a difficult time finding inspiration for her lyrics as opposed to her debut album 19 but then, it struck her seemingly all at once when her relationship came to an explosive end. Within 24 hours of her breakup, Adele had written Rolling in the Deep alongside producer Paul Epworth and even then, they knew how much of a staple it would be.
Pulling more influences from artists such as Amy Winehouse and Duffy, Adele also incorporated elements from The Cure and more British pop/rock ish acts she grew up with, which ultimately contributed to the savvy vibe 21 has. Rolling in the Deep will always be the “peak” of this album but it’s got some certified, underrated heaters all throughout.
There’s Rumour Has It, my personal favorite. It’s vengeful, cheeky, and a great track for anyone who’s been through the ringer with an ex or a “situationship”. There’s also Set Fire to the Rain. An anthem of reclaiming power after heartbreak, it’s another single that hit the charts but often gets lost in the conversation because of Rolling in the Deep’s overshadowing.
We can’t forget about Lovesong, either. A reimagination of The Cure’s initial hit, Adele’s cover hones in on its roots with a soft, otherworldly approach that many die-hard fans of The Cure have praised.
I can’t not acknowledge the treasure that is Someone Like You, either. It’s arguably one of Adele’s most heartfelt, earnest, and raw works to date. Highlighting her signature style of sorrow and beautiful piano pieces, Someone Like You is centered around that “the one who got away” trope that many fall into. Unreciprocated love and the angst surrounding that is a very core theme to the entirety of 21 but I think it’s especially potent within this song due to its stripped down sound.
21 is probably one of the best pop albums to come out of the 2010s. If you ask me, I’d say it’s easily in the top 5. It holds authenticity, a dying artform nowadays, and the producers knew exactly where to stop to prevent overproduction or tarnishing the initial bones of the songs. Listening to it is not only a blast back to the simpler times of 2011 but it also makes one yearn for similar r&b/soul artists to emerge now in 2026.
“21 isn’t even my record. It belongs to the people” - Adele, 2015.