The Reinvention Of Norah Jones

Little Broken Hearts, the latest offering from jazz-pop sensation Norah Jones, is a darker departure from her usual soft, lovelorn fare. It’s been ten years since the release of her blockbuster debut album, Come Away With Me, and her new work is definitely a reinvention, but not radical enough to alienate longtime fans.Her latest album, produced by Danger Mouse, still has the same elevator music quality that made her accessible to a large mainstream audience. However, Little Broken Hearts has a more sinister edge and subtle rock influences making this work more akin to Feist than to Norah Jones of ten years ago. Norah Jones’ commercial success definitely paved the way for songstresses such as Adele, however, this album does not have the same range as 21.

The album’s standout tracks, “Little Broken Hearts”, “She’s 22”, and “Broken Hearts” all share Jones’ sinister-sweet new vocal stylings. The sound created is comparable to Feist meets Holly Golightly at an underground jazz speakeasy. Apart from these gems, the rest of the tracks offer the same run of the mill jazz-pop Jones has made famous.

While Little Broken Hearts is not quite the leap necessary for total reinvention, the album definitely showcases an artist willing to take a step forward.