“Hello, it’s me…” were the words that tore through the silence in millions of homes. It took a nanosecond for the world to realize that the deep tone and emotion-riddled voice belonged to Adele. During an “X Factor” commercial, the Grammy-winning singer released a 30-second snippet of what we now know as her newest single “Hello.” The then mysterious nature of the song paled in comparison to the realization that Adele was returning, and this was her announcement.
With Adele, it’s never what she says, but how she says it that truly taps into our souls and covers every corner of our hearts. “Hello” is no different, as the song starts with simple lyrics that complement the smooth and painstakingly slow piano notes. As the chorus approaches, an eerie pause creates suspense and signals the change in tempo. This pause is a prelude to the chorus, which is the perfect release from the pent up emotions in the first verse. The chorus is definitely not catchy or easy to sing along with, but the lyrics and music are beautiful, and they fade into the background as Adele’s voice takes control of not only the song but also anyone listening. This is where real talent is separated from the gimmicks of most artists in the 21st century. Adele does not need any fancy words, nor does she need a catchy beat ― her voice has always been powerful enough to do the persuasion and marketing.
As the second verse begins, the assaults on our feelings continue as word after word, we are drawn further into an emotional labyrinth. Adele has always made us embrace heartbreak and sadness in a way that few other artists can. She strategically pauses throughout the song, as if she is giving us time to digest her words. By the time our brains register how thoughtful her words are, we are slammed with another emotion-filled line. The lyrics are raw and truthful, while her tone and delivery add an indescribable amount of depth. Thankfully, the song does not come off as depressing, as the chorus balances each verse without becoming the only memorable part of the song. Adele must have known that in order for her return to be successful, it had to be radio-worthy, and “Hello,” is definitely radio-worthy. It appeals to emotions, but it is not a tearjerker, which is a novelty for an Adele song.
“Hello” is everything we love about Adele, but it is refreshing, and after three years of silence, it is an impressive comeback. Adele’s new album, titled “25,” will be released on Nov. 20, and if “Hello” is anything like the rest of the songs in her album, we will be looking at a very fruitful Grammy season for the singer.
