I'm going to give an honest review of 25 now that some time has passed.
1. Hello - Wish the production was less "filtered" but it's hands down the best vocal performance she's ever done on a studio recording. 9/10
2. Send My Love (To Your New Lover) - It's a fun song but it sticks out on the album and she's better than it. Would've preferred a different uptempo/upbeat song. 4/10
3. I Miss You - This one continues to get better and better for me.
10/10
4. When We Were Young - The SLY of the album in which I prefer it live to the studio recording. But it's one of her best songs she's ever done (though it would've made more sense on a future album). This should have been the closing track on the album though. 10/10
5. Remedy - Didn't care for this at first but it's grown on me a lot and I think it would make a good single down the line. 7/10
6. Water Under the Bridge. Another one I didn't care for at first (because of the production) but it's really grown on me and needs to be the single after WWWY. 8/10
7. River Lea - The repetitive chorus is too much but I love the feel of it. Probably would have made a better bonus track though. 7/10
8. Love in the Dark - The highlight of the album along with Hello and WWWY for me. The strings are incredible. I just wish it was titled "Everything Changed Me" still since it fits the mood of the song more. 10/10
9. Million Years Ago - Perfect album track. Not really much else to say about it. 9/10
10. All I Ask - This hurts me to say this, but this got old real quick for me.
If it wasn't for the Radio City performance, I'd probably pay it dust. The vocals are incredible but it's almost too cheesy in that Bruno Mars kinda way (obviously since he helped her write it). 6/10
11. Sweetest Devotion - Another one of my favorites. It's different for her and I love the mid 90's rock sound to it. 8/10
I love the album, but my main problem still lies with the production. It's all over the place and doesn't sound cohesive. And it doesn't capture the same feeling on record that it does live. It's a classic case of too many cooks in the kitchen. There was no need for so many different writers and producers, when she could have done this whole album with Paul Epworth. Also upset that Dan Wilson is nowhere to be found on this album.
And it's time to change it up for the next album. The sad stuff has to go or else it's going to continue to be a running joke for her and ultimately hurt her. I understand why she did it with this album because it might have turned away the 21 audience, but she's stressed that avenue as far as she can now.
8/10 overall.
I just wish the production was less "pop radio" sounding. But at least it should help it become a huge hit.