Single review: ‘Hello’ by Adele

Adele’s biggest strength is her majestic sounding voice. That spellbinding vocal ability she possesses has made the entire music industry take notice of her, the same way that it has made Adele cross popularity barriers making her a household name the world over. When her sophomore album “21” was released in 2011, it immediately sold millions. To date, over 30 million copies have been sold making it an instant classic and one of the greatest albums ever released.

In fact, I wrote about Adele in my article entitled “The Adele Effect” way back in Jan. 4, 2012, in another major broadsheet where I was then a regular contributor to Ms. Rosalinda L. Orosa’s column Sundry Strokes. Furthermore, it is noteworthy that I am also the only local music critic at the time who has taken notice of and recognized what will be the long lasting effect of Adele’s artistry and her undeniable gift for singing, with her mighty sounding voice that knows no era in popular music, giving it a timeless quality!

The three years she spent away from the music scene to focus on her personal life was very much felt. Her return now is something that is earnestly hoped for and anticipated by music aficionados like myself, especially after being bombarded with crappy music, from which we have been seeking for some relief. Adele is one of those few mainstream artists who can provide that respite.

In an industry where one can become an overnight sensation and almost as quickly completely drop off the radar, Adele certainly stands above the throng.

I view Adele’s rise to global fame in 2011 to be a “bookmark” in the timeline of popular music. That was an eventful year that would be looked backed on many years from now. During her three-year hiatus, it has not felt right to not hear her voice when almost everything in mainstream music is beat-corrected, “canned”-sounding, and overly polished to the point it feels like listening to a machine rather than a human being behind the mic.

The essentials that once made listening to music great have gone missing or been intentionally left out, depending on how one looks at them. What essentials are these? These are the rawness, the sincerity, and the feeling of authenticity.

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What is the production value of the lead single “Hello”?

A producer who knew how to step back from the boards in the recording studio and let Adele’s voice do most of the work were the requisites. Producer Greg Kurstin answered that call. He is best known for producing Sia’s smash hit single called “Chandelier.”

Producer Greg Kurstin went for a stripped and laidback sound in her comeback single “Hello” from her soon-to- be-released brand new album entitled “25,” allowing Adele’s voice to take center-stage with a piano-ballad setting. Wait, though, till the last chorus and one can again hear the full strength behind Adele’s voice.

Thumbs up!