21

Adele

Even if you didn’t follow the 2011 series in the Underbelly franchise you couldn’t miss the promos featuring what seemed to be a haunting gangster theme and the words, “We could have had it all.”

Far from being written to suit the series, the words were from the first track, “Rolling in the deep”, on the album 21 by a singer known simply as Adele.

Born Adele Laurie Blue Adkins, this now 23-year-old has burst onto the charts in a big way. At the 2009 Grammy Awards, she received the awards for Best New Artist and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance. And last month, at the 2012 Grammys, she won album of the year for 21.

It was the top-selling US album of 2011 and, early last month, 21 had been top of the ARIA album chart for 26 consecutive weeks, making it the third-longest running album in Australia behind Dire Straits’ Brothers in arms (35 in 1985-86) and Delta Goodrem’s Innocent Eyes (29 in 2003).

The 11 tracks on this album provide easy listening in a style of what I would call “sentimental soul”, some written as a result of her relationship experiences. The playlist is impressive when you consider Adele co-wrote ten of these. I am sure, like the title of the final track, you’ll find this album ideal for “someone like you”!

Allan Gibson