PopWatchers, we need to keep an eye on Adele, a soulful singer-songwriter who I’d describe as sounding a bit like gritty Amy Winehouse and melancholy Eva Cassidy, and occasionally even a young Gladys Knight. Adele, who turns 20 in May, has been generating major buzz in the U.K. (her first album, 19, debuted at No. 1 in Great Britain) but here in the colonies, she’s largely unknown. To get to know this upstart’s music, start with her single "Chasing Pavements," her live rendition of "Hometown Glory" (broadcast on the BBC last October), and my favorite Adele clip — her evocative love song "Daydreamer," performed on the long-running London-based music showcase Later with Jools Holland:
If this is your first impression, what’s your take on Adele, her sound, and her prospects for success in the U.S.?
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Does she have a speech impediment, or does she just have an odd way of singing, or is that just her British accent I’m hearing? (It’s an odd British accent, if so.) She has a GREAT voice, and I like the slow, relaxed feeling, but her pronounciation is… strange, somehow. Thick.
I bought her album when it came out in the UK over at 7digital.com since iTunes won’t let you buy imports. She is fantastic! She might do well in the USA. Her single “Chasing Pavements” is also really good too. Welcome Adele!
oooh! Me likes very much!
Look around the internet and find her really cool cover of The Strokes, “Last Nite”. Rumor is she will cover Coldplay at the Brit awards with Mark Ronson tomorrow night. Cool.
Love her!!
Well if nothing else her music will be on Gray’s Anatomy et al. soon…
LOVE HER!!! Just wish I could get her album already- Itunes only has her 2 singles.
Duffy is way better. Laura Marling is in a league of her own–sui generis. Adele is just…middling.
She kind of reminds me of Regina Spektor. I like the female singer/songwriter thing and I think she’s good.
she sounds very pretty. plus she’s hot.
I rather like her. Though you should’ve mentioned her last week when iTunes was giving away “Hometown Glory” for free.
Me likee.
I want her to duet with Brett Dennen!
I’m studying in London for the semester and bought her cd…its phenomenal, and she performed at the Brit Awards (british grammys) last night, she’s great.
she’s certainly no amy winehouse as everyone seems to have said. she’s not bad though.
chris is right, though. duffy is far superior.
Young Gladys Knight? That’s going too far….hmm….let’s see – Corrine Bailey…Josh Stone…Amy Winehouse…Adele…in about 3 years who will we remember? I know — Leona Lewis! Why? Because she’s got Clive and Simon backing her up…the others will continue to play in the neighborhood bars and be papp fodder.
I like it, I always appreciate unique melodies/phrasing, but I’d be surprised if she hits mainstream success in the States. Seems like more of a niche sound – would probably fit well on a lot of TV and movie soundtracks. Her music, at least from the clips that were embedded, is very evocative, thoughtful and moody.
She’s really good. I wouldn’t say she’s the next Winehouse, but she really sounds like Joss Stone.
It’s good to see some press about this fab singer. I’ve been listening to her for weeks. But it’s frustrating to read an article about her when her cd won’t even hit to US for months…
It’s good to see some press about this fab singer. I’ve been listening to her for weeks. But it’s frustrating to read an article about her when her cd won’t even hit to US for months…
It’s good to see some press about this fab singer. I’ve been listening to her for weeks. But it’s frustrating to read an article about her when her cd won’t even hit to US for months…
Perez has been pimping her for awhile…me likey
I’m a 43 year old male and haven’t really been giving the new artists much of a chance…until lately thanks to SNL. I’ve enjoyed the likes of “The Killers” and “Spoon” and now…Adele! I had never heard of her before her SNL performance. She has awakened a part of me that I thought was dead. Her songs and sound have re-kindled a fire in my heart that literally brought tears to my eyes. Thank you Adele, you’re beautiful just the way you are; don’t go changin’ for Hollywood. I love you!
The UK Female version of Brett Dennen. Fabulous!
Someone asked about the way that Adele sings..whether it is her accent or if it is a speech impedement. Her style of music was popular in during the Jazz age. Adele admits to being influenced by Ella Fitzgerald who is known for singing in that popular style of singing called “Scant”, which was originally created by Louie Armstrong. Her accent does play a part in how she sings but no this is not related to a speech impediment it was at one time a very popular singing technique.