Adele graduated from the BRIT School for Performing Arts & Technologyin 2006, and while there, she had recorded a short demo, which she passed to a friend. The said demo ended up on Myspace thanks to the said friend, and a huge buzz started building around the Tottenham singer-songwriter, and although she had originally intended on a A&R-type career trajectory, she ended up signing with XL Recordings as an artist. 19 is the now global mega star's 2008 debut, and it provides a glimpse into the potential of her wide-reaching talent, the one that would pen and perform pop SMASHES like "Someone Like You," "Rolling in the Deep," and "Hello." Channeling blues, folk and jazz influences through her powerful vocals, Adele sings of unrequited love, heartbreak and relationship in a honest, personal manner, and songs like "Make you Feel My Love," "Hometown Glory," "Chasing Pavements," and "Daydreamer" are some of the strongest in her catalog.

• black vinyl pressing
• music label: XL Recordings 2008

reviewed by rei kwondo 08/18