Adele: 21

Adele's "21" - A Masterpiece Deserving Better Vinyl Treatment

The Album: Undeniable Brilliance
Adele's sophomore effort "21" stands as one of the most critically acclaimed and commercially successful albums of the 21st century—and with good reason. Her powerhouse vocals soar with emotional authenticity throughout, her songwriting captures heartbreak with devastating precision, and the production balances contemporary polish with timeless arrangements. The record's galaxy of accolades—six Grammys, diamond certification, and its status as the best-selling album of the 2010s—speaks to its cultural impact and artistic merit.

The 2020 Pressing: A Missed Opportunity
Unfortunately, XL Recordings' 2020 vinyl pressing fails to deliver the sonic experience that Adele's masterwork deserves. Where this album should breathe with dynamic range and intimate presence, it instead suffers from the all-too-common ailments of modern vinyl production.

The most glaring issue is compression. Critical dynamics—the delicate quieter moments that should contrast with the emotional peaks—are flattened, robbing the record of its emotional architecture. When Adele's voice should fill the room during powerful crescendos in tracks like "Rolling in the Deep" or "Set Fire to the Rain," the pressing lacks the headroom to let these moments truly soar. Conversely, the vulnerable intimacy of ballads like "Someone Like You" never achieves the goosebump-inducing presence that vinyl, at its best, can deliver.

The instrumental separation that should showcase the meticulous arrangements feels constrained, with backing elements muddying together rather than occupying distinct spaces in the soundstage. Bass response is adequate but lacks the definition and warmth that would ground these recordings properly.
The Physical Package: Serviceable But Unremarkable

In keeping with XL's reputation for mass-market pressings, the physical presentation is utilitarian rather than premium. The standard-weight vinyl offers acceptable surface noise levels but nothing approaching the silent backgrounds that audiophile pressings achieve. The packaging, while functional, offers little in the way of special touches that collectors appreciate.

The Vinyl Verdict: Great Music Deserving Better Treatment
For casual listeners or Adele completists, this pressing remains the most accessible way to own "21" on vinyl. However, serious audio enthusiasts would be better served by high-resolution digital formats, which, ironically, better preserve the dynamics and detail of these recordings than this compromised vinyl release.
The material on "21" absolutely warrants a premium audiophile pressing. One can only imagine what labels like Analogue Productions, Mobile Fidelity, or Acoustic Sounds could achieve with proper mastering from the original tapes, half-speed cutting, and premium vinyl formulations. Such a release would finally bring Adele's extraordinary vocal performances and these carefully crafted arrangements into listeners' rooms with the presence and impact they deserve.

Until such a dream pressing materializes, this XL issue remains merely adequate—the vinyl equivalent of viewing a masterpiece painting through slightly smudged glass. The greatness is clearly visible, but the full experience remains tantalizingly out of reach. 💵

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