In 2011, one songstress rose above all others, the self-proclaimed “random girl from London.” She won numerous awards ranging from multiple Grammys to an Oscar for “Skyfall,” created for the James Bond movie of the same name. Her name is Adele, and her two year run of success is almost as amazing as her disappearance and return to the music world.

After the release of her single “Skyfall” in 2011, Adele suffered a vocal hemorrhage and nearly lost her voice. This led to a dramatic and inspiring return to the 2012 Grammy stage, but after that she didn’t sing or release any new singles. Her voice had been restored, but she had a much more pressing and important responsibility: to be a mother to her newly-born son Angelo.

After Angelo’s birth, Adele’s life was very domestic and focused on him. She does have a relationship with Angelo’s father, but the couple remains unmarried. With several years of mothering and steady progression with her voice and lyrics, Adele found that 2015 was the time for her return. And what an entrance she made.

Adele’s return to the music world was as sudden as it was welcome. Her huge fan base from 2011 has a fierce loyalty, and her dramatic story has made her gain even more of a following and devotion. Last month’s surprise single “Hello” has not only broken a record, but it has shattered it. The previous record for most downloads in a first week was Flo Rida’s 2009 “Right Round” with 636,000 downloads. Adele’s new record is 1.11 million downloads. Let that disparity sink in for a moment. The music video is the quickest Vevo video to get to 100 million views and is quickly approaching 200 million.

With the single already released, the expectations for the album’s release have skyrocketed. Her next album, 25, is scheduled for release on November 20th and promises to be a huge phenomenon. Judging by how amazing the single has done on its own, the album promises fans will experience more Adele, more tears, and more devotion to one of the most revolutionary and beloved artists of our generation. Adele’s throwback style, deeply emotional lyrics, and pure musical talent have won over many people, and more are likely to follow after this album.