Adele's '30' introduces a new chapter in her life

Written by Conner Tighe

When I first listened to 30, I was overwhelmed for various reasons, all positive. 30 is Adele’s most diverse album to date, mainly talking about tackling motherhood as a single mom. Adele married Simon Konecki in 2018 and later divorced in 2021, sharing 9-year-old Angelo Adkins. Through a mix of genres like jazz, soul, pop, and even 50s-themed instrumentals, Adele shares an exciting new chapter of her life, celebrating the struggles and victories of motherhood.

Adele found fame when she began her released album 19, the first album named after her age at the time, a trend she would later continue. However, it wasn’t until she released 21 that her career jumped into hyperspeed. The 11-track album, which featured known hits “Rolling in the Deep” and “Set Fire to the Rain,” became the best-selling album of the 21st century. Rolling Stone Magazine later named 21 as one of the top 500 best albums of all time.

In 2012, Adele sang the theme song for Daniel Craig’s Skyfall and has won 15 Grammy and nine Brit Awards. It’s no secret the singer’s vocal skills rival the female greats of music history like Whitney Houston or Beyoncé. 

I found myself comparing 30 to 21 as this album easily outdoes 25 and 19. Whereas much of her tracks were mellow, dramatic, and vulnerable, this 12-track journey keeps the melodramas but with different results. She shares clips of dialogue between her and her son on “My Little Love” and discusses coping mechanisms with “I Drink Wine.”

Like her past albums, 30 has its share of dull moments, like five of the tracks being six minutes long. You may find yourself staring into oblivion, forgetting the same track is playing. Roughly halfway through the album, I began losing interest as the tracks slowed down, whereas, toward the beginning, Adele mixed fast and slow tempos. “Easy On Me” and “Oh My God” are easily the best tracks on 30. 

Adele’s latest album is worth the listen and even the purchase, but only for the fans that have followed her every step of the way. If it weren’t for classic tracks like “Set Fire to the Rain” and “Rumour Has It,” 30 would outdo her past, but it’s difficult to beat the peak of your career. 30 sets apart from past albums as it’s liberating and celebrates freedom as a single mother. However, the album is plagued with lullabies and woes of loneliness.