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When Adele first hit the scene with “Chasing Pavements” over three years ago, the comparisons quickly came between her and Amy Winehouse. Sure, they’re both English singers/songwriters; both won the Grammy Award for Best New Artist (Amy in 2008, Adele the following year); and their music has helped usher in a new soulful sound. But in a late 2008 interview, Adele was quick to point out, “We’re a gender, not a genre.”

Adele describes her musical style as “heartbroken soul”, which might seem a bit odd for someone approaching the ripe old age of 23, but listening to her debut, 19, is all the proof you need to see just how accurate that description is. Her second album, 21, hitting stores and online retailers in the U.S. and Canada today, follows suit.

The album opens with the bluesy lead single “Rolling in the Deep”, which was released late November and its video less than a week later prompting a countdown of sorts by yours truly. The track is the epitome of a lover scorned with powerful vocals and equally powerful lyrics (Throw your soul through every open door. Count your blessings to find what you look for. Turn my sorrow into treasured gold. You’ll pay me back in kind, and reap just what you’ve sown.) with Adele exclaiming, “We could have had it all!” Continue