Norah Jones - Little Broken Hearts

3 years since her last record, Norah Jones released her new album, Little Broken Hearts, on May 1st.  The 33 year old singer-songwriter made her mark in the music industry back in 2002 with the release of the unforgettable, Come Away With Me, that paved her path as a jazzy new talent.  And although her new album is receiving the credit it deserves, the question seems to be whether this apparent change in musical direction will serve her well.
  After even one listen, it should strike nobody as a surprise that the album was produced, and many of the songs written by Brian Burton, better known as Dangermouse.  Burton seems to have the Midas touch in the music industry throughout the past 10 years, working and redeveloping musicians such as Cee Lo Green, James Mercer, Jack White, and now Norah Jones.  And to be honest, the collaboration seems to be in Jones' favor.  While her first album was a huge success, the following three left much to be desired.  And although Norah, in a recent interview, claimed that the new album's indie sound was a natural musical progression, it strikes the casual listener as much more of a u-turn.
  Norah has stepped out of the comfort of her piano bench and major seven chords and jumped head first into a  world of minor synth riffs and reverb doused guitars.  Although the constant remains her trademark voice, this album will receive much more play in the bohemian coffee shops than the hotel lobby rooms in which Come Away With Me is still on loop.  This is not to say the album is better or worse than her debut, but rather stratifying, a shift in which Jones will lose fans, yet gain a crowd searching for something a bit more interesting.
   And though the album does contain many great tracks such as the hits Happy Pills, She's 21, and Say Goodbye... I found the most beauty hidden in her minimalist songs such as my favorite, Travelin' On.  This is one of the few tracks on the album when the blips and synth riffs dull out and all that is left is what any listener came for in the first place, her voice.  In this solemn track, the album shifts from the spunky opening tracks, to an optimistic ending, consistent with the overall breakup concept the album carries.
   There is not much more to say than, this album is good.  Not great, not terribly insightful, but a solid record.  And although many of the tracks will be forgotten, Little Broken Hearts seems a transition album in which we see a talented artist push her abilities into a relatively untouched genre.  So give it a listen, enjoy the standout tracks, and realize this is only the start.  Expect Norah to continue her way down this new path and be back soon with a much more developed sound.