In Adele’s cover story interview for the November 2021 issue of Vogue (US), interviewer Abby Aguirre previewed “My Little Love” and described it as having a “sexy ’70s groove” and “heavy strings”. Featured in the song are recorded conversations with Adele’s son Angelo in between verses, and a voicemail left for a friend as the outro.

She was inspired to incorporate voice notes by California rapper Tyler, the Creator and the British rapper Skepta, she explains. “I thought it might be a nice touch, seeing as everyone’s been at my door for the last 10 years, as a fan, to be like, Would you like to come in?”

“My Little Love” is about showing Angelo who his mother really is: a layered and complicated woman with an identity outside of their relationship, who’s struggled and cried and hurt.