The most appropriate description of the new record by Norah Jones is “back to basics.” She ditched poppy tunes, simplified arrangements keeping just the piano, with the addition of few other instruments, making Day Breaks a proper jazz album, with Norah’s voice being the star of the show.
Norah had a couple of almost-pop records, but with Day Breaks the famous singer-songwriter decided to return to the roots, with piano-driven compositions that will melt your heart. This heartwarming atmosphere is present throughout the record, launching you into a different world, where music has soothing qualities, where tunes can give you a remedy for all kinds of pain.
Aside from piano, there are a couple more instruments used, with the bass being the most prominent, and the saxophone playing great solos in a couple of songs. Bass lines are extraordinarily phased with the piano, making Day Breaks a joy to listen. This jazz duo shows how you don’t need a huge orchestra to make epic jazz tunes. Piano and bass, with the occasional saxophone melodies are more than enough, and with the addition of Norah’s heavenly vocal, the result is one beautiful album reminiscent of the golden age of jazz.
When the album starts, an immediate time-switch takes place, sending the listener to the smoke-filled clubs of the early 20th century, when music was coming from the heart and when artists didn’t make new songs just for the sake of money. It’s phenomenal.
Burn, Flipside, It’s a Wonderful Time for Love, And Then There Was You, Once I Had A Laugh, Day Breaks, and Don’t be Denied are enchanting songs, each special in its own way. It’s so cool Norah decided to return playing pure jazz. Like Amos Lee did with his latest album, Norah Jones took her voice and placed it on a pedestal, banishing all catchy pop elements prominent on the last couple of albums.
The genuine warmth the music shines with is enough to make your day better, and your mood sunny as mid-July. The problem with Day Breaks is that this time, you have to take all your attention and focus it on the music to enjoy the record fully. The arrangements are simple at first look, but with each subsequent listen songs reveal more and more details, both lyrical and musical. Day Breaks is an album for all people who love their music playing without numerous hooks, without catchy choruses, and with meaningful lyrics. There are some modern elements present in a couple of songs, but they are applied only in order to make the songs more varied, more likable, not to make them catchy, instantly remembered hits that’ll disappear from charts in a couple of months.
Day Breaks is one quality album and should be checked both by fans of Norah Jones and by people who like heartwarming, soothing jazz music. Great album for these cold days.
