New York, NY (Top40 Charts/ Columbia Records) - Columbia Records/XL is proud to announce the North American release of 21, the eagerly awaited sophomore album from British singer-songwriter Adele, on Tuesday, February 22. 21, is the follow up to Adele's critically acclaimed, award winning debut album 19 (both named after her age at the time the songs were written). Renowned for her incredibly unique vocal ability and songwriting, Adele's debut received two Grammy Awards in 2009 (Best New Artist and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance) as well as a BRIT Award in 2008 (Critics Choice).
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," noted Adele.
"Rolling in the Deep" the pounding, energetic first single from 21, will impact at adult radio formats on November 15. The video for "Rolling in the Deep" was directed by Sam Brown (Jay-Z, Foo Fighters, Doves) and will premiere in early December. Adele will perform "Rolling in the Deep" live on The Ellen Degeneres Show on Friday December 3.
In early 2008, as her debut was reaching Double Platinum status in her native UK, Adele took North America by storm delivering groundbreaking performances on everything from Saturday Night Live to the Grammy Awards, where her four nominations yielded two impressive wins. Entertainment Weekly described Adele's voice as "astonishing" and People called it "a knockout that's rich and supple," but The LA Times put it best when it proclaimed "Adele exudes stylish confidence." Before returning home to work on her sophomore album Adele headlined the newly incarnated VH1 Divas Live and played a sold-out show at Los Angeles' fabled Hollywood Bowl in front of 19,000 devoted fans.
www.Adele.tv