Norah Jones' Little Broken Hearts

Norah Jones explores new musical horizons as she collaborates with producer Danger Mouse (Brian Burton) for Little Broken Hearts, her fifth studio album under Blue Note/EMI Records that is released and distributed locally by Polyeast Records. A drastic departure from her previous efforts, Jones ventures into heartbreak territory by offering twelve tracks that show a darker, more cynical and impish side of her.

The album greets the listener with Good Morning that features the ethereal voice of Jones coupled with atmospheric guitar passages. But listening closely to the lyrics, one can already realize that it’s anything but good for her and this sets the tone for the rest of the album. During a listening session at the Polyeast Records office, I noted that majority of the tracks took me back to a previous Danger Mouse produced album which is the excellent Demon Days by the Gorillaz. This album is one of my favorites and I never expected a Norah Jones record of all things to evoke the sound of the Gorillaz’ sophomore effort.

While most of the tunes are laidback, effortless and seemed to drift into the air as Jones crooned along, the lead single Happy Pills stands out as a bouncy number laced with a snarky hook and lyrics. While this track made an effort to shroud the mocking lyrics behind a happy beat, there was no attempt at all to veil the threats with the chilling and disturbing Miriam.

Instead of coming up with an album that show raw emotion lamenting the heartbreak that has done wonders for some artists, Jones got playful and went wicked instead. And add to the mix the stamp of Danger Mouse with his distinct textures and beats. The result is an album with tracks that feel like fragments of Jones’ broken heart meant to stab at those that caused the heartbreak in the first place.

Little Broken Hearts

Tracks:

1. Good Morning

2. Say Goodbye

3. Little Broken Hearts

4. She's 22

5. Take It Back

6. After the Fall

7. 4 Broken Hearts

8. Travelin' On

9. Out on the Road

10. Happy Pills

11. Miriam 

12. All a Dream