The Rise and Fall
by Matthew Gross
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NORAH JONES: The Fall (EMI/Blue Note)
Over the last few years, Norah Jones has quietly sold in excess of 36 million albums worldwide. Her uncanny ability to meld seductive jazz with introspective folk has garnered her World Music Awards, Brit Awards and a multitude of Grammys. On her latest release, The Fall, Jones continues to inhabit her niche while collaborating with a slew of up-and-coming independent acts. The result is a more rockin’ Norah, and we absolutely adore it. Her new musical partners include guitar-loving male singer-songwriters Jesse Harris and Ryan Adams. On the album’s lead-off track, “Chasing Pirates,” Jones truly lets her hair down, and she continues along this path for the remaining 12 tracks, closing with a stunning ditty entitled “Man of the Hour.” Norah, we missed you, and we’re so glad you’re back with a vengeance. |
LITTLE BOOTS Hands (Atlantic)
WITH INFLUENCES INCLUDING Kylie Minogue, New Order and Cyndi Lauper, it’s no wonder that we’ve fallen head over heels for Little Boots (real name: Victoria Hesketh). The petite UK-based singer (who also wrote every song on her debut record) may stand at just five feet tall, but her presence is positively massive. Known for her wide array of glittery outfits and perfectly crafted electro-pop tunes, Little Boots is on a mission to get the whole world dancing by year’s end — and she just might do it! Already a multi-platinum album overseas, Hands will finally see daylight here in the States this spring. Everyone from Perez Hilton to Arianna Huffington have raved extensively about the pint-sized chanteuse. Trust us — you will be next. |
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AT A GLANCE
LEONA LEWIS Echo (J): Whitney Houston had 2009’s most welcome comeback thanks in large part to a certain music mastermind, and Leona Lewis must credit the same man for her beautiful sophomore record: Clive Davis. Lewis gained global attention with her smash debut record, Spirit. Brace yourselves, because she’s about to accomplish it again with her second full-length. Following a strikingly similar recipe, Echo eloquently highlights Lewis's vocal passion and tenderness; although in recent interviews, she has hinted that the follow-up to Echo will feature production by Timbaland. Will Leona go Nelly Furtado on us? Only time will tell, but for now, it’s time to turn down the lights and enjoy another delicious collection of blazing ballads.
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RIHANNA Rated R (Def Jam)
You'd be hard-pressed to find someone that didn’t adore one of Rihanna’s numerous smash singles from her 2007 breakthough album, Good Girl Gone Bad. Tracks like “Umbrella,” “Disturbia,” “Shut Up and Drive,” and “Don't Stop The Music” were both ubiquitous and sensational. Whereas her last effort was provocative and sensual, Rated R is considerably more contemplative and emotional. Jumpstarted by “Russian Roulette” and “Wait Your Turn,” Rihanna changes gears in a major way on her fourth record. Fans of ballads and mid-tempo arrangements will cheer heavily for Rated R. As for those that crave a pounding bass line, brace yourselves for an EP of the album’s remixes which is expected to see daylight by summer. |
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LADY GAGA The Fame Monster (Interscope):
In late 2008, Lady GaGa released one of the most groundbreaking pop albums in recent memory. Intertwining influences from ’70s glam rock, ’80s new wave and ’90s dance, The Fame was truly playing in a league of its own. As GaGa continues to break sales records all around the globe, the demand for new music from her has been feverishly high. Rather than leave us to wait another year for a full-length album, she chose to reissue her fabulous debut with eight brand new tracks. Highlights amongst the new tunes include the irresistible lead-off single, “Bad Romance” and the alluring Latin-tinged, “Alejandro.” If The Fame catapulted Lady GaGa into super-stardom, then The Fame Monster only further confirms her indelible stamp on pop culture. |
ALICIA KEYS The Element of Freedom (J):
Alicia Keys seems incapable of disappointing her fans. 2001’s Songs In A Minor was groundbreaking; 2003’s The Diary of Alicia Keys was sensational; 2007’s As I Am was glorious and her new effort, The Element of Freedom, is completely brilliant. Keys is still showing off that same shiver-inducing vocal range that initially grabbed us when we first fell for her hit “Falling”; she once again provides us with some of the greatest pop hooks of all time. While certain tracks skew more towards her sensitive side (“Try Sleeping With a Broken Heart”), the overall theme of Element is one of joy. Keys will tour North America extensively this spring and summer. See when you can catch this star @ aliciakeys.com.
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