Norah Jones

Norah Jones makes massive appeal feel pleasant and respectable as few can. Ever since her 2002 debut, Come Away With Me, Jones has married comfortable pop sounds with varied vocal and piano ambitions born of jazz and soul. The relationship among her different interests has tipped back and forth over the years, but her new album, Little Broken Hearts, succeeds in making it equal and pushing it forward. A collaboration with producer Danger Mouse, Hearts continues the relaxed-fit easy-listening style that made Come Away a breakout, though the producer’s touch on the spacey, Gnarls Barkley-esque dance track “Say Goodbye” and gritty support from The Black Keys on “Happy Pills” give the album some welcome eclecticism.

Updated 06/04/2012