Norah Jones - Little Broken Hearts/Music Review

Is there a term “easy listening alternative?” This seems like the best way to describe Norah Jones’ latest outing, Little Broken Hearts.

When Norah Jones first came on the scene with Come Away With Me, she was certainly talented, but it was easy to believe that she could keep that sweet, rich voice in the smooth jazz genre. Surprisingly, Jones has proven to be quite a versatile artist.

Any protest to that charge can be easily squashed with the release of the 2010 album, Featuring Norah Jones. Apparently, when she’s not making her own music, she’s singing with everyone from Willie Nelson to Belle & Sebastian and Outkast.

So it’s no surprise to see Jones go for a different sound. Working with famed producer Danger Mouse and inspired by the over-the-top films of Russ Meyer, Jones has created a concept album of songs filled with naughtiness and revenge. She’s a woman scorned and her heart is lay bared on these tracks. The first released single, Happy Pills, is a definite departure in sound from her previous songs. The first several times I heard it on the radio I kept forgetting it was her new single because it’s so different from anything she’s done.

The stand out tracks after Happy Pills are Say Goodbye, She’s 22 and Miriam. Still the album can be enjoyed as a whole. It’s a departure that works for Jones. The sweet and pretty jazz singer is now the sexy dangerous lady too.