Britain's Adele Tops UK Pop Charts For Album '21'

In the two years between the titles of Adele’s debut and this, her second album, she’s clearly seen the world. Where ‘19’ marked the turbulent swan song to a teenage life, ‘21’ introduces the realities of adult life, where grown-up responsibilities collide with heartache and emotional scars run deep.

Though imbued with intimate country leanings, it’s all about that voice. While ‘Rolling In The Deep’ extols thunderous regret, ‘Don’t You Remember’ grieves in elegant acoustics. Adele is sincere, poignant and affecting throughout; the emotive ‘Someone Like You’ closes the album magnificently.

21 is the eagerly awaited sophomore album from British singer-songwriter Adele. It's the follow up to Adele's critically acclaimed, Grammy award winning debut album 19 (both named after her age at the time the songs were written). Recorded in Malibu and London, 21 offered Adele the opportunity to work with such luminary producers and songwriters as Rick Rubin, Paul Epworth, Ryan Tedder, Dan Wilson and Fraser T. Smith, as well as continuing to work with Francis "Eg" White and Jim Abbiss.

This new collection of songs showcases the growth of this incredible artist, who at the very young age of twenty two, exhibits the poise of a seasoned veteran. Adele's music takes some new direction while staying true to her signature style. "I discovered lots of artists I'd never heard of, particularly Wanda Jackson, Allison Krauss, Yvonne Fair, Andrew Bird, Neko Case, Lady Antebellum and Steel Drivers who I fell in love with. Then I delved in to more from artists I've loved forever - Mary J. Blige, Kanye West, Elbow, Mos Def, Alanis Morissette, Tom Waits and Sinead O'Connor. There's something in every single one of these artists that have really really inspired 21."

Adele has now ruled the UK album charts for the seventh consecutive week with her "21" album. When released in January, the album received generally positive reviews. However it sold more than 200,000 copies in the first week and it debuted at the number one position on the UK charts.

The first single pre-released from the album late in 2010, 'Rolling in the Deep', almost hit the top spot, reaching the number two position in the UK. She released the second single 'Someone Like You' following her very highly acclaimed performance at the 2011 BRIT Awards, which continued to push the popularity of the album. In the US, the first week of sales of over 350,000 pushed the album to the number one position.

Still at the chart top, "21" has held off competition from British rockers Elbow with "Build A Rocket Boys!" sitting at number two in its debut week.

"Who You Are" by Jessie J sits at three, while Adele's 2008 release of "19" is still in the album chart and at the number four position.

In the singles charts, Adele's "Someone Like You" is at the top for the fourth week as the UK's most popular song, with Jessie J sitting at two with "Price Tag".

In 2009, Adele won two Grammy Awards for Best New Artist and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.
Various music writers have compared Adele to different female singers over the years, singing sensations including Amy Winehouse and Duffy. But as Adele produces more magnificent recordings, the world is seeing that she is in a league of her own.