21
by Adele
  • Record Label: XL
  • Release Date: Feb 22, 2011
User Score
8.3

Universal acclaim- based on 930 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 804 out of 930
  2. Mixed: 43 out of 930
  3. Negative: 83 out of 930
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  1. jotaeseche
    Apr 13, 2014
    8
    It's hard to say that you really really like all the track an album offers you, but this was my case: I've enjoyed and loved them all! At some point they sound a bit like the same in structure or lyrics, but 21 is clearly an album that has to be heard and taken as one of the greatest achievements of 21st century music. Adele (with her brilliant and peculiar voice, her strong feelings andIt's hard to say that you really really like all the track an album offers you, but this was my case: I've enjoyed and loved them all! At some point they sound a bit like the same in structure or lyrics, but 21 is clearly an album that has to be heard and taken as one of the greatest achievements of 21st century music. Adele (with her brilliant and peculiar voice, her strong feelings and the sorrow she constantly expresses) has made a remarkable job. So all the excellent critics are well deserved. We'll be waiting for what's coming next, but I truly doubt that any future material can compare to this one.… Expand
  2. linikedemarco
    Aug 25, 2014
    7
    Even though Adele has left the teenage image behind, embracing a new level of the same concept, 21's catchy singles overshine other very good songs, emphasizing a poorly distributed climax throughout the album (which also gives one the possibility of cutting the album in half without affecting its quality) and enhancing the expectations over the singer for a killer third album.
  3. Jiano74
    Jan 24, 2016
    3
    Um what there was without a doubt too much hype over this album it was mediocre at best it is truly overplayed and over hyped and one of those albums not to listen to even if people say otherwise.
  4. Adson
    Oct 4, 2014
    7
    The album is great, lyrically speaking, but instrumentally speaking, the sound isn't so marvelous listening track by track. My favs are the singles, "Rumour has it" and "Turning tables".
  5. mauriadkins77
    May 1, 2015
    10
    Definitivamente mi álbum favorito, todas las canciones tienen una gran calidad vocal, además de una lirica perfecta, me produce muchas emociones, no puedo esperar más por el regreso de Adele
  6. rebeligado
    Sep 14, 2015
    8
    Hinário

    Rolling In The Deep
    Rumour Has It
    Turning Tables
    Don't You Remember
    Set Fire To The Rain

    Sequência ótima de faixas, além que não tem músicas ruins no "21"
  7. Lenis
    Jan 28, 2015
    7
    I've overplayed this album and I don't get how it didn't get best reviews (watching her winnig grammys and selling millions with this album) it's the opposite way but at the XXI century, british singer/songwriter Adele gave us her second studio album, 21. In this record she proves her vocal range and good vibes, following her hit single "Rolling In The Deep" and the 2nd "Someone Like You"I've overplayed this album and I don't get how it didn't get best reviews (watching her winnig grammys and selling millions with this album) it's the opposite way but at the XXI century, british singer/songwriter Adele gave us her second studio album, 21. In this record she proves her vocal range and good vibes, following her hit single "Rolling In The Deep" and the 2nd "Someone Like You" you will get this travelling around powerful, classic and deep compositions such as the highlights -Set Fire To The Rain, Rumour Has It and Turning Tables-. Nice production but unfortunately a little basic and boring after 6 songs, the rise of the queen and the surprising fall it seems like unfinished or something like that because it doesn't have a theme, it doesn't have variation but it have 5 songs that can be declined and easily skipped… Expand
  8. ORIGINATED
    Apr 28, 2015
    7
    There’s a more mature voice and sound to it, with instantly catchy tracks. Adele has shown more audacity on this record and has collaborated with the right guys at the right time. It might sound less versatile than 19 but it’s also because its music serves its story, her stories actually. Her piano skills are cleverly used on some melancholic songs and her powerful voice makes this albumThere’s a more mature voice and sound to it, with instantly catchy tracks. Adele has shown more audacity on this record and has collaborated with the right guys at the right time. It might sound less versatile than 19 but it’s also because its music serves its story, her stories actually. Her piano skills are cleverly used on some melancholic songs and her powerful voice makes this album something everyone will remember for the next decade at least. The record is charming overall but could have gone deeper with a more detailed exploration of her feelings or a more cohesive track list. It’s still a wonderful mainstream album that dares and that’s creative enough to deserve some awards.

    Best track: Turning Tables
    Exact Score: 8    … Expand
  9. madmaddssen
    Apr 15, 2015
    9
    This has been a family favorite for 5 years now. Almost always when we drive somewhere our son insist that we listen to "number 5" (Fire to the Rain) or "number 1" (Rolling in the Deep). Those songs have been playing hundreds of times. We just wish there would soon be a new album. :D
  10. Riskey
    Jul 14, 2015
    10
    '21' will stand the test of time. Elegant, classy, passionate, melancholic, graceful, mournful and simplistic, '21' is one of the standout albums of the 21st Century.
    I have no idea why this album has a score of only 76....or why people are giving it a score of less than 9.

    It sold 30 million copies in an age of digital streaming.

    '21'
  11. meduardanery
    Nov 10, 2015
    9
    É incrível, assim como o 19. Ela conseguiu ser fantástica nos dois. Vocais e músicas lindas, bem produzido... Maravilhoso! Um dos meus álbuns preferidos, com certeza.
  12. noahmanning14
    Nov 24, 2016
    10
    Adele 's 21 was my first album I ever bought and it is the best choice I ever made. Adele 's 21 for me is the best album in history. Her album sold over 31 million copies and was certified Diamond. This album is a collection of song that are some of the most beautiful songs ever. Everything Adele releases is just amazing.
  13. ManuelContreras
    Apr 8, 2018
    6
    me esperaba mas de este album en realidad, los singles son muy buenos, y ya
  14. CamdenRendell
    Jan 29, 2018
    7
    Although Adele is overpraised (*cough* The Grammys *cough), and overplayed, there are some great songs on this thing.
  15. JhosepKingsley
    Feb 23, 2018
    5
    From this album we can highlight the great writing skills of Adele which we can see reflected in the use of poetic metaphors, the magnificent production that sounds like a majestic symphony and the vocal performance of Adkins. However, despite the above, it is a flat, boring and uninnovative album that makes it overrated and monotonous.
  16. DanShelley
    Feb 2, 2018
    5
    Despite being a good album, it's way too overrated. There were better albums back in 2011 talking about acceptance and compassion but the Grammy's thought it would be a good idea to give a heartbreak album 6 awards because it went viral.
  17. leostarboy
    Sep 9, 2020
    8
    Hearing a voice that grows scratchy and threatens to break and has not been tampered with, has not been slicked over in a studio, a voice that reveals all that can be found within a person and also seems to hold something back, to suggest another truth just behind the veil. Here's hoping that if Adele ever finds true love, she doesn't lose her ability to so convincingly channel heartbreak.
  18. RafaelSeixas
    Apr 22, 2018
    10
    É o melhor álbum da linha pop/soul que temos até o momento. Adele se consolidou com todas as honras e méritos como um fenômeno mundial! '21' joga para escanteio a pressão por um segundo álbum, é evidência de que quando há talento, haverá sempre grandes trabalhos. 'Rolling in The Deep', 'Someone Like You' e 'Set Fire To The Rain' conseguiram, de uma só vez, um feito que há muito tempo nãoÉ o melhor álbum da linha pop/soul que temos até o momento. Adele se consolidou com todas as honras e méritos como um fenômeno mundial! '21' joga para escanteio a pressão por um segundo álbum, é evidência de que quando há talento, haverá sempre grandes trabalhos. 'Rolling in The Deep', 'Someone Like You' e 'Set Fire To The Rain' conseguiram, de uma só vez, um feito que há muito tempo não acontece: tornar-se verdadeiros hinos, e que com certeza serão eternamente lembrados. É o melhor trabalho da carreira de Adele, o melhor álbum do ano, tudo o que se pode colocar '21' em primeiro lugar, ele É!… Expand
  19. Juan7
    May 12, 2020
    6
    Con influencias de soul, Adele nos demuestra su lado más vulnerable después de una ruptura.
  20. Lachlan_Lorimer
    Jul 23, 2020
    10
    21 is one of the best albums of 2011 and subsequently swept the Grammys. Adele proves she can do much more than we expected.
  21. Hi_How_RYah
    Nov 20, 2021
    8
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. among all albums made by her, it is the only exceptional, without the suspicion of repetitive singing style she mostly exhibiting for about half a decade apart from her debut.… Expand
  22. tjtkahfi
    Aug 28, 2020
    9
    Simply an amazing album. I think this album introduced me to alternative years ago.
  23. igorpedro
    Apr 8, 2021
    10
    eu não tenho nem palavras para expressar o quão perspicaz e artista a nossa queria Adele foi aqui, sua melodia nesse album é milagrosa e majestosa, com letras de sofrimento e profundas que faz a gente compreender ela perfeitamente a sua dor, sem falar o sucesso estrondoso e merecido esse álbum teve.
  24. evermore13
    Nov 18, 2021
    7
    Overall, «21» shows that Adele is towering in the same landscape where some of her contemporaries have lost all their bearings. Her husky, powerful voice is what keeps you listening, but here's hoping she experiences something besides betrayal before writing her next record.
  25. PrThKi
    Nov 19, 2021
    9
    Adele's 21 is absolutely one of the best albums of all time.
    The album spawned one of the world's best known, and most loved songs in 'Someone Like You'.
    Adele once again hits the sweet spot with this record. Amazing.
  26. Mangaeyes
    Feb 27, 2016
    8
    8/10 - "21 is simply stunning. After only a handful of plays, it feels like you've always known it" - BBC Music

    A little bit monotonous in places but if you've ever had your heart broken then you really need this album.
  27. chidime
    Nov 21, 2015
    8
    Writing a review 4 years later. My initial verdict for this album was a 7, but it's risen to an 8. This is actually a good album and it only gets better with time. Adele is a once-in-generation star and I am proud to have actually witnessed her rise in my lifetime. Though i think 25 is better, this was and still is a hell of an album. Congrats Adele, you deserve it all.
  28. dave40
    Aug 20, 2018
    10
    Aquí la muestra de que el talento vende sin necesidad de imagen ridícula y asquerosa como cierta payasa que gracias a que llegó este disco empezó su decadencia, como me alegró que esa payasa se quedara sentada mientras este precioso y emocional material se convirtió en el ganador de la noche y en el más vendido de la década
  29. hivton_almeida
    Jan 31, 2016
    10
    Ótimo disco dessa grande artista de potencial para chamar a atenção para o mundo inteiro sem a necessidade de usar seu corpo, polêmicas ou levantar bandeiras para conseguir agradar ao outros. Um disco para ouvir e emocionar.
  30. spongeswift
    Nov 11, 2017
    8
    21 is a nice record. It has a few very deep cutting songs but a lot of filler on top of that. This was the peak of Adele's work it is by far her best album because it was so monumental. Most of the singles became #1s and the album sold like hotcakes but other than that it's a pleasant album.
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Awards & Rankings

4
#4 Most Discussed Album of 2011
4
#4 Most Shared Album of 2011

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
76

Generally favorable reviews - based on 34 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 26 out of 34
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 34
  3. Negative: 0 out of 34
  1. Sputnikmusic
    Jun 14, 2011
    80
    Hearing a voice that grows scratchy and threatens to break and has not been tampered with, has not been slicked over in a studio, a voice that reveals all that can be found within a person and also seems to hold something back, to suggest another truth just behind the veil.
    Read full review
  2. Mojo
    Apr 20, 2011
    60
    The Brit School girl undergoes a successful soul-pop makeover. [Feb. 2011, p. 108]
  3. Consequence
    Apr 11, 2011
    70
    On her sophomore album, 21, Adele channels real emotion and blasts through sincere ballads and angry rockers with few missteps.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »