By ­­— Hope Sandusky

Four years after her last album 21, Adele is back with a riveting album with lyrics a bit different from her previous work.

Adele released in a statement that this album was a “make-up record,” and listening to it, one can hear a distinct tone of reflection but, also, change. Rather than singing about how love has done her wrong, she sings about things that she has done wrong, missed opportunities and things that define her now.

Adele has always had an adult tone compared to her young age, and this album is no exception. She manages to sound beyond her years in a way that captures a wide audience.

Artistically, this album is not so widely different from her others. She sticks to the same instruments, mostly strings and piano with some light acoustic, but a few songs play differently.

“Send My Love (To Your New Lover)” is almost folk with its use of bongos and guitar. Lyrically, this song is most similar to her last album but with a much lighter tone.

“River Lea” could be considered gospel, not just by the choir singing in the background but also the organ that plays throughout. This song is special as she goes back to her childhood. She looks at how where she grew up made her who she is today, a noticeable difference from the mostly love subject songs on the rest of the album.

Those familiar with Adele’s last work will find songs that still ring true to who she is. The opening track on the album, “Hello,” is haunting and melancholy.

“When We Were Young” tells of young love missed and reunited briefly for one night, just to be lost again. Even if listeners can’t sympathize with the situation, Adele still manages to make them feel her loss and pain.

Overall, Adele’s album remains familiar in tone. Artistically, maybe the boundaries could be pushed more. But, she still holds to how audiences identify her. Soulful ballads heavy on piano make Adele who she is as an artist.

This album is no disappointment for both longtime fans and newcomers alike.