Overview

"Send My Love (To Your New Lover)" is a song recorded by English singer Adele and issued as a single from her third studio album, 25. Released to streaming services on May 16, 2016, and to U.S. radio on May 17, 2016, it was the album's third single following "Hello" and "When We Were Young". The track represents a more uptempo, pop-oriented approach within Adele's catalogue while retaining her characteristic lyrical directness.

Background and writing

Adele has described seeking fresh collaborators after hearing contemporary pop production she admired; she cited a specific moment when she learned who had written and produced a song by another artist and subsequently approached them. That pursuit led to work with Swedish hit-makers including Max Martin and his frequent partner Shellback. The collaboration combined Adele's songwriting perspective with the pop craftsmanship of her producers, yielding a concise, hook-driven song that moved away from orchestral balladry toward a lighter, rhythmic groove. Full recording and songwriting credits are detailed in published listings and can be consulted for specifics on contributors: credits.

Composition and lyrics

The composition pairs bright, strummed acoustic guitar figures with syncopated percussion and layered vocal harmonies. Structurally, the track relies on repeated melodic hooks and a steady backbeat that supports Adele's lead vocal. Lyrically, the song is framed as a message to an ex-partner and, through that conduit, to the new person in that partner's life; it balances pointed lines with a sense of closure and wry acceptance rather than bitterness.

Release and promotion

Issued in May 2016 as the album's third single, the song was promoted through radio adds, streaming playlists and televised appearances tied to the album cycle. Its accessible pop production made it well suited for mainstream radio formats. Promotional activity around the single included televised performances and interviews that placed the song alongside Adele's more well-known ballads, underscoring the album's stylistic variety.

Music video

The official music video premiered on May 22, 2016, during a televised awards show and was shortly uploaded to the singer's official channels. The visual is deliberately minimalist: Adele performs against a dark backdrop while camera movement and compositing create repeated, overlapping images of the singer. The restrained staging focuses attention on vocal delivery and lyrical content rather than elaborate sets or narrative scenes, and the video received attention for its clean, contemporary aesthetic.

Live performances

During promotional appearances and tour dates in support of 25, Adele included the song in set lists and special performances. The song's pop arrangement translates into a live setting where layered studio effects are pared back, allowing the vocal performance and rhythmic drive to come forward. On television and award-show stages she presented the track in ways that emphasized both its immediacy and its connection to her songwriting voice.

Critical reception

Critics generally welcomed the song as a stylistic change of pace for Adele, noting its catchy melody and candid lyric. Reviewers highlighted the successful melding of Adele's songwriting with modern pop production, and many remarked that the track broadened the sonic palette of the album without diminishing the emotional clarity that characterizes much of her work.

Chart performance and impact

Commercially, the single reached the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 top ten and climbed to number one on the Mainstream Top 40 (Pop Songs) radio chart. It also reached the top five in the United Kingdom and the top ten in Canada, and appeared on year-end listings that reflected its sustained radio play and streaming. The song's success illustrated Adele's ability to cross over into mainstream pop radio while retaining her distinct artistic identity.

Credits and personnel

  • Artist: Adele
  • Album: 25
  • Notable collaborators: Max Martin (producer) and Shellback (producer)
  • Earlier singles from the album: "Hello", "When We Were Young"
  • Influence prompting collaboration: Adele cited hearing contemporary pop records by artists such as Taylor Swift and sought out their writers and producers

Significance

"Send My Love (To Your New Lover)" is often noted as an example of how a singer known for powerful ballads can adopt modern pop production while maintaining lyrical authenticity. Its radio success and visibility during the album cycle helped underscore the versatility of Adele as a performer and songwriter, and it remains a frequently cited track when discussing the breadth of styles represented on 25.