21 – ADELE

While Adele’s 2008 debut album, 19, had its thrilling moments, too often the underdeveloped songs didn’t quite match up to her powerhouse voice. Teaming up with hitmakers Rick Rubin and Ryan Tedder for album two, she’s rectified the problem — 21 is an outstanding listen from start (the blues-meets-disco stomp of first single Rolling In The Deep) to finish (Someone Like You, a bruised but defiant ballad to rival I Will Survive in the ‘I’m doing fine without you’ stakes). The first great album of 2011, and confirmation Adele has a long career ahead of her.