Fans of Adele have expressed their displeasure with Rolling Stone following comments by a journalist from the magazine’s German branch. In his review of Taylor Swift’s latest album, The Tortured Poets Department, which was released on Friday, Ralf Niemczyk of Rolling Stone Germany provocatively titled his piece “Taylor Swift: ‘The Tortured Poets Department’ – the better Adele.” And people are not happy with that declaration.
The review is available for those who want to grasp his broader argument, which essentially posits that Taylor’s latest album, centered on themes of heartbreak, matches the caliber of Adele’s music. Niemczyk comments, “In their mega stew of all modern pop ingredients, the quality of the songwriting continues to beat the material of their colleagues from the R&B Champions League, like Adele.” This quote is a translation from the original German, yet his point is unmistakably clear.
Is Taylor Swift better than Adele?
Understandably, this comparison has upset fans of the British singer, who have criticized the seemingly arbitrary juxtaposition of Taylor and Adele. Despite both artists occasionally exploring themes of lost love, their music, vocal styles, and thematic focus differ significantly.
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Many fans feel that Rolling Stone has treated Adele unfairly by comparing her to Taylor, emphasizing that Adele’s vocal abilities are vastly superior. One fan expressed their indignation on X, stating, “They have the audacity to say that she’s the ‘better Adele’ but she in fact cannot do this.” Another fan highlighted the issue with the Rolling Stone article setting up a rivalry between the two artists, noting that the singers have never actually been in conflict.
It’s important to consider that the controversial comment from Rolling Stone might be linked to the expected sales figures for TTPD. Taylor’s latest album is anticipated to reach a milestone by selling 2 million units in the U.S., a feat she has never achieved before. In contrast, Adele’s album 25 famously sold over 3 million units in just one week upon its release. Despite Taylor’s impressive projections, it appears she won’t surpass Adele’s record, casting doubt on the validity of the “better Adele” remark.
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With this context, the debate remains open: Is Taylor truly “better” than Adele?