While I appreciate artists who are willing to take risks & evolve in experimenting different styles with their arts and discover unexplored dimensions to their talent, I believe some artists deliver their best when they evolve within their established creative “comfort zone” so to speak. That place where they reign yet tend to blow us away with how they renovate their music within it.

This is the case with Ms Norah Jones. I think she effortlessly reigns in her genre of music. With her sultry velvet vocals, heartfelt lyrics, & music compositions only capable of lifting you and sailing away to a world of harmony only artists who embodies their genre would take you there.

“The Fall” is Norah’s latest studio album. A risk taking effort to drift away from her signature jazz/soul sounds to a more alternative, rock tinged musical persona.

As I listened to this record, it was evident how genuine her attempt was to create a new sound. A musical challenge Norah took upon herself to see where it would take her. Collaborations with the likes of Jacquire King, who worked with the likes of Kings Of Leon, Tom Waits and others, I felt through most tracks the essence of Norah’s musical persona was lost in the middle of this new music. At least the Norah we know.  Tracks like ” Young Blood”, “You’ve Ruined Me”, “Stuck”, & the leading first single “Chasing Pirates” all showcase amazing performances, flowy lyrics, & new acoustic sounds, but something is just “missing”.

Norah’s magic is revisited in 2 of my absolute favorite tracks on this record. The soothing, haunting “Back To Manhattan” which for some reason reminds me of visions from Norah’s “My Blueberry Nights”, and “Waiting”. Those hold the formula that makes Norah Jones a legend in the making to be one of this generation’s iconic soul/jazz artists.

Norah Jones – Waiting

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Norah Jones – Back to Manhatten

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The album is grower. However, avid Norah Jones fans like myself will need some time to adjust to this new sound that I hope wouldn’t be the direction of her next musical endeavor. While the effort and the risk is highly respected and appreciated, some thing better left unchanged so they don’t lose the essence of what makes them one of a kind.

Just like you Norah