30 (Clear Vinyl)

Since 2008, Adele has been giving listeners a glimpse into her world, guiding them through the major stages of her life as a shoulder to cry on and a loved one. On her fourth album, 30, she provides more access than ever before, detailing one of the most painful periods of her life with poise and grace. Describing the aftermath of her 2019 divorce, 30 is not a fiery break-up album. On the contrary, by focusing on acceptance, growth and admitting her mistakes, she has created a time capsule for her son Angelo to understand what his mother was going through during this pivotal period. After the curtain closes on the dramatic Judy Garland-inspired overture ‘Strangers by Nature’, she addresses the split in ‘Easy on Me’, redirecting her attention to her son's plea for patience and understanding. In ‘My Little Love’, their intimate conversations are interpolated against a smoky R&B production that echoes Alicia Keys in the early 2000s. When she confesses: ‘Mama's been having a lot of big feelings lately,’ it's a prelude to the heartbreak that concludes the song, where a weeping Adele admits to being lonely and scared. Hearing a superstar in such a nakedly human state can be uncomfortable, but watching this level of vulnerability and candour is oddly comforting: Adele feels the same pain, and she, like the rest of us, is on a journey to happiness.

- Neil Z. Yang (allmusic.com)