Adele’s Pop Report Card: We Grade Her 3 Albums

25 (2015)

Maturity is a good look for Adele, who kicks off a new era by showcasing her talent-for-the-ages while stretching ever so slightly to sound more of-the-minute. It’s no surprise that “Hello” debuted atop the Billboard Hot 100, sold a zillion copies and launched way too many Vines, but the real story here is “Send My Love (To Your New Lover).” Inspired by Taylor Swift’s “I Knew You Were Trouble” (!) and teaming with Max Martin (!!), Adele delivers this most unexpected song with bite, but not too aggressively for mom’s minivan playlist.

The heart of 25 is the Elton John “Mona Lisas And Mad Hatters”-y “When We Were Young,” which seems to augur a stronger singer/songwriter direction for Adele, focusing on beautiful lyrics more so than vocal bombast. Throw in the pounding “I Miss You” and “River Lea,” the lightfooted mother-of-the-groom future staple “Sweetest Devotion,” plus a string of classy ballads and it’s hard to imagine a better career move for Adele or valentine to her fans. Grade: A

Do you agree with our Pop Report Card grading of Adele’s three studio albums? Let us know below!