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21
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21 Image
Metascore
76

Generally favorable reviews - based on 34 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.3

Universal acclaim- based on 930 Ratings

  • Summary: The British singer’s sophomore album is full of soul and pop rhythms, comparable to Amy Winehouse and Duffy.
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Top Track

Someone Like You
I heard that you're settled down That you found a girl and you're married now I heard that your dreams came true Guess she gave you things I didn't... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 26 out of 34
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 34
  3. Negative: 0 out of 34
  1. BBC Music
    Jan 27, 2011
    100
    21 is simply stunning. After only a handful of plays, it feels like you've always known it.
  2. Okayplayer
    Mar 4, 2011
    90
    There's not a slacker in the bunch on 21, which is hard enough for many an artist to pull off at 31 – or even 51 – much less at an age when they're still too young to rent a car on their own
  3. The Guardian
    Jan 27, 2011
    80
    A progressive, grown-up second collection, it ought to ensure Adele is around for 23, 25, 27 and beyond.
  4. 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.
  5. Sputnikmusic
    Feb 1, 2011
    70
    For all of her posturing and ruminations on life, love and other such considerations, you may well ask yourself whether she is merely playing a part and recycling old themes or if she has the experience she so eloquently sings about.
  6. Filter
    Apr 7, 2011
    70
    Her sound is undeniably more mature than what you would typically expect from a 21-year-old, but tracks like "Don't You Remember" make you wonder if the overall vibe is more mature than it should be.
  7. The Independent (UK)
    Jan 27, 2011
    40
    Things begin well enough with the single "Rolling in the Deep", with its thumping piano quadruplets and gospelly backing vocals, and continues reasonably with the galumphing Tom Waits-style arrangement of "Rumour Has It"; until, two-thirds of the way through the song, it grinds to a halt for a slower, torchy middle eight.

See all 34 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 143 out of 178
  2. Mixed: 16 out of 178
  3. Negative: 19 out of 178
  1. trucvo1203
    Nov 17, 2021
    10
    Nice album, Adele is really a talented artists, Her music is just music, that's enough
  2. HonestJudging
    Jun 18, 2012
    10
    This album is literally perfection. If you think so otherwise, please take a minute to listen to these songs while reading the lyrics, andThis album is literally perfection. If you think so otherwise, please take a minute to listen to these songs while reading the lyrics, and understanding the musical arrangement.… Expand
  4. bamboo
    Mar 4, 2011
    10
    This is the best album of this year so far. All of the songs here are well-written and full of emotion that the audience can easily relateThis is the best album of this year so far. All of the songs here are well-written and full of emotion that the audience can easily relate themselves to. With an instant classic and Grammy-nominated potential album like 21, I really cannot believe why it got only 76 points. All the mixed reviews are full of hatred and maybe the people who wrote those reviews need to check their definition of what is called " true music " !… Expand
  5. official_jrizz
    Sep 14, 2014
    9
    Adele shows her genius once more in a different way on the album 21. While it is extremely different than 19, Adele releases at least fourAdele shows her genius once more in a different way on the album 21. While it is extremely different than 19, Adele releases at least four songs that I consider brilliant (Rumor Has It, Someone Like You, Rolling in the Deep and Turning Tables), as well as what I feel is her best in Rumor Has It. The kind of sound you don't hear from anybody nowadays is present on 21.… Expand
  6. wallofjericho42
    May 14, 2012
    8
    While it lacks the peculiar charm "19" had, her immensely powerful vocals sweep the floor. Less bluesy and jazzy and more leaning towards Pop,While it lacks the peculiar charm "19" had, her immensely powerful vocals sweep the floor. Less bluesy and jazzy and more leaning towards Pop, "21" is a step in the right direction despite losing some of the original pep. "21" is less pep, and more sass, which is by no means bad - just different.… Expand
  7. andykuchen
    Aug 29, 2011
    7
    A very soulful and powerful album, mostly revolving around breakup. Adele packs quite a punch with her stunning vocals. It is probably theA very soulful and powerful album, mostly revolving around breakup. Adele packs quite a punch with her stunning vocals. It is probably the most moving and touching album of the year... so far.… Expand
  8. viniciusmiguel
    Dec 10, 2013
    0
    boring boring boring and boring, everything about this album is boring. Adele have an amazing voice but this album sucks!! it could be betterboring boring boring and boring, everything about this album is boring. Adele have an amazing voice but this album sucks!! it could be better if she stopped to talk about her break up in every song.… Expand

See all 178 User Reviews

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

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