According to an interview with the singer by Rolling Stone, its lyrical material contains themes of Adele's "yearning for her old self, her longing," and "melancholia over the passing of time," as well as themes of motherhood and remorse. The creation of 25 included the use of electronic elements and innovative rhythmic patterns, with elements of R&B and organs from the 1980s, as opposed to Adele's previous works.