Norah Jones Pick Me Up off the Floor
Accidents can sometimes be beautiful and in the case of the 9-time Grammy award winner Norah Jones’ new album, it is as beautiful as a Hawaiian sunset. Jones was not setting on making a new album, but the result is a breathtaking album that shows after 18 years on the scene her sultry voice, exceptional song-writing skills and masterful piano playing is stronger than ever.
Pick Me Up is easily Jones’ most political album to date. Jeff Tweedy of Wilco fame co-wrote the album’s lead single with Norah and is an empowering anthem for women during the #MeToo movement. Jones sings about a woman frozen in a moment of despair not knowing how to respond but as the song continues she finds her voice and fights back singing “She walks, she runs/ She fights, almost as one/ And finds her voice/ She’ll march/ She has no choice.”
After 2016’s Day Break, Jones decided to focus on collaborations and after each session, she found herself with songs that were never released. Her new release is a combination of those sessions and songs derived from the poetry she had been writing for a few years. Pick Me Up is triumphant album and is one the listener could really use in today’s world. @NorahJones
Gone West Canyons
Every year, there’s a song or album that captures the spirit of summer and the debut from quartet Gone West is ready to claim the summer of 2020 as their own. The foursome consists of Grammy Award winner Colbie Cailat, husband-wife duo Nelly Joy and Jason Reeves and Cailat’s ex-fiancé Justin Young.
The debut has a beautiful blend of a country album straight out of Nashville and one recorded in a house sitting off the shore in Malibu. The chemistry between the four is unquestionable as their storytelling serves as one of the album’s strengths. Canyons spends time tackling heartbreak. “What Could’ve Been” finds the group looking for the ways they could have saved a relationship and “When to Say Goodbye” echoes the sentiment of regret.
The album ends on a note of hope in “Tides” written in the aftermath of the mass shooting at Route 91 Harvest Festival in Las Vegas. Gone West sings “every time we say goodbye, we say hello to what’s on the other side” while shining a light into the darkness. @IveGoneWest
Chloe x Halle Ungodly Hour
Arguably the most anticipated sophomore release of 2020 is that of the sister duo Chloe x Halle. The two-time Grammy Award nominees deliver the mature, emotional Ungodly Hour a who’s who of collaborators by their side.
The album is laced throughout with a laid back West Coast vibe that is really evident in the lead single “Do It.” There is an abundance of big-name producers on the album but Chloe holds her own on “Tipsy” deliver some of the best beats on the album.
British brother producing duo Disclosure helps the sisters bring a ‘90s R&B sound to the album’s title track while equaling complimenting Chloe x Halle’s rich vocals.
It’s clear to see that Chloe x Halle are ready to take the next step in their music career after listening to Ungodly Hour and while the influences of TLC, Brandy and Janelle Monáe are there on the album the sisters have created a sound all of their own.
The duo sent the new album to Beyoncé and waited for her notes. Queen B simply replied, “it’s flawless.”
If it’s good enough for Mrs. Carter, it’s good enough for you. @chloexhalle
Please check out some of the other great albums out this week:
- Larkin Poe Self Made Man
- The Aces Under My Influence
- Orville Peck Show Pony
- Spacey Jane Sunlight
- Deep Purple Whoosh!
Steven McCash is the Music Columnist for SoBros Network. He is the pioneer of New Music Friday, highlighting each week’s new releases in the world of music, in addition to the occasional live show review. Follow on Twitter: @MC_Cash75
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