The U.K. has been buzzing about Adele's sophomore album, 21, since its release last month. If her 2008 Grammy Award-winning debut album is any indication, then the States will follow suit, since 21 is set to hit the U.S. market today.
Produced by the prolific Rick Rubin, 21 features veteran musicians, including the Roots' keyboardist James Poysner, and all of the British brand of blue-eyed soul you'd expect from Adele. The new album marries several genres — jazz, R&B, country — to create a sound masterfully accented by Adele's bluesy bellowing.
Previous recommendation: Naturally 7.