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From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Work
21 · Adele began her second album in April 2009, named after her age while making it. She wanted a more cheerful and contemporary sound than on 19, but the first sessions yielded little. Only Take It All, produced by Jim Abbiss, remained. When her relationship ended, she wrote new songs in a rush of emotion, including with Paul Epworth and Ryan Tedder. Rick Rubin was involved with one demo.
The album builds on the soul and Motown of her debut, with influences from American country and blues. With Rolling in the Deep, an a cappella verse came first, after which Epworth improvised a melody on acoustic guitar and a pounding drum imitated the beating of her heart. Label expectations were modest, but the album topped the charts in more than thirty countries. It was praised for its restrained production and the singing, and in 2012 it won the Grammy for Album of the Year.
Listening
Track list
- 1Rolling In the Deep3:48Apple Music ↗
- 2Rumour Has It3:43Apple Music ↗
- 3Turning Tables4:10Apple Music ↗
- 4Don't You Remember4:03Apple Music ↗
- 5Set Fire to the Rain4:03Apple Music ↗
- 6He Won't Go4:38Apple Music ↗
- 7Take It All3:48Apple Music ↗
- 8I'll Be Waiting4:01Apple Music ↗
- 9One and Only5:48Apple Music ↗
- 10Lovesong5:16Apple Music ↗
- 11Someone Like You4:45Apple Music ↗
- 12I Found a Boy (Bonus Track)3:37Apple Music ↗
30-second previews via Apple Music. Listen to the whole album on Apple Music ↗