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Reviewed: Adele Toughens Up, Johnny Cash's Early Demos and More

Plus: Stream new music from Paul Simon, the Low Anthem, Toro Y Moi, Erykah Badu and Ashlyne Huff

February 22, 2011 10:35 AM ET
Reviewed: Adele Toughens Up, Johnny Cash's Early Demos and More

In this week's slate of new Rolling Stone reviews, Will Hermes praises the British soul singer Adele's fierce second album 21, noting that she has "toughened her tone, trimmed the jazz frippery and sounds ready for a pub fight." Jody Rosen is awe of From Memphis to Hollywood: Bootleg Vol. 2, declaring the new collection of early rarities from Johnny Cash "a jaw-dropping testament to the depth of the man's songbook." Jenny Eliscu reviewed the sophomore album by chillwave producer Toro Y Moi, which she says is groovier and prettier than the producer's hypnotic debut.

On the singles front, Hermes gives a thumbs up to Paul Simon's latest single "The Afterlife," which he says echoes the mix of wry, mellow pop and African guitars on his classic album Graceland, and Erika Berlin says that Ashlyne Huff's melodramatic new single "White Flag" compares favorably to hits by Miley Cyrus and Katy Perry.

ALBUMS

Adele - 21 (listen to the full album and watch a video interview)

Johnny Cash - From Memphis to Hollywood: Bootleg Vol. 2 (stream one song)

Toro Y Moi - Underneath the Pine (stream one song)

The Low Anthem - Smart Flesh (stream one song)

Patrick Stump - Truant Wave (stream one song)

SINGLES

Paul Simon - "The Afterlife" (stream)

Erykah Badu -  "Gone Baby, Don't Be Long" (stream)

Ashlyne Huff - "White Flag" (stream)

LAST WEEK: PJ Harvey's Spellbinding 'Let England Shake,' Lady Gaga's Instant-Classic Club Anthem 'Born This Way' and More

To read the new issue of Rolling Stone online, plus the entire RS archive: Click Here

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Song Stories

“Youth Knows No Pain”

Lykke Li | 2011

“Like on 'Youth Knows No Pain' — we are the ones that should demonstrate, because we can take it,” Likke Li said. “We can pierce ourselves, take Ecstasy, dance all night and still go to work at our McDonald's jobs.” Despite the hedonistic sentiment in the song, the Swedish singer also admitted in hindsight her youth had repercussions. “I remember when I was 18-19 and feeling that I know it all,” Li said. “I always feel that I know it all. But that song is about realizing you don’t, and reflecting, ‘Boy, if I only knew what would follow.’”

More Song Stories entries »