‘Little Broken Hearts’ is an album all about jealousy, heartache, betrayal, and all of the emotions that come with a tough break-up. It is Norah Jones fifth solo album and it is wonderfully beautiful and dark. Those who have been through a relationship that has met its end will love this album.

The record is produced by Brian Burton also known as Danger Mouse. He has collaborated with artists The Black Keys, Gnarls Barkley, and Beck, among others. Burton and Jones make an excellent team as they together wrote and composed all twelve tracks on the record. ‘Little Broken Hearts’ also marks the first time that Norah wrote or co-wrote all of the songs on the album and it is different from anything that Norah has ever done in the past.

For starters, take a look at the amazing cover. It differs from previous album covers with its striking photo of Norah. The cover art was inspired by the poster to the film ‘Mudhoney’ from 1965. The story behind is that while recording the album at Brian Burton’s studio, Jones saw the poster on the wall as Burton has a collection of Russ Meyer posters in his studio. The poster was right over the couch where she would sit everyday and she thought it would be a great visual with herself as the vixen.

As always, Norah’s vocals are excellent. Her voice is darker than her previous albums, and this album reflects a woman who has gone through an emotional ordeal and as a result is damaged and dangerous, but ultimately in a happier place. The songs are fraught with sadness as she pours out her heart but the album is excellently build around the stages of coping: denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance.

The songs on ‘Little Broken Hearts’ are raw and emotionally charged as Norah wrote the tunes after a rough break-up. The compositions are experimental and unique. There is a mixture of jazzy and upbeat tracks, all the way down to somber, stark, and low sounds.

Brian Burton is truly a master of sound and knows how to woo the listener - the track “Good Morning” is beautiful and elegant, while the track “Miriam” expresses an “I know what you did and you’re gonna pay” attitude with its angry vibe. “Happy Pills” is the most upbeat track on the record with its catchy and jazzy sound. It tells the story of Jones realizing that she is better off alone after being free from a relationship.

In all, ‘Little Broken Heart’s is an excellent album and fans will be pleased. Norah has taken the off beaten path and in doing so has created an amazing piece of art. The album was released May 1 and Norah is currently touring. Visit her site to find out when she’s going to be in a city near you.

Rating: 5/5

Image Courtesy of   asterix611

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Macy Gray, newly signed with 429 Records, is preparing for the release of her stunning new album “Covered”—a collection of all new recordings of handpicked songs she’s chosen to reinterpret in her own inimitable fashion.  Produced by Hal Willner (Lou Reed, Metallica), “Covered” tackles material largely drawn from indie rock songs from the last decade—interpretations her fans will be familiar with as she’s been performing them live over the years.

The album contains biting, dark signature tracks such as Arcade Fire’s “Wake Up” or My Chemical Romance’s “Teenagers” which Gray subversively overhauls into something wholly her own.  Also included are short skits featuring J.B. Smoove, Nicole Scherzinger and a guest appearance by Idris Elba.

“Covered” will be released worldwide on 429 Records March 27th.In addition, Macy is planning a worldwide tour and has wrapped filming with director Lee Daniels (Precious) for his forthcoming film ‘The Paperboy” which also stars John Cusack, Zach Effron, Nicole Kidman and Matthew McConaughey. The film will debut at Cannes in May with confirmed worldwide distribution in October 2012.

Since her dazzling debut introduced this singular talent to the masses, Macy has forged an uncompromising musical path beholden to her own vision and garnering accolades at every juncture.  With “Covered” Macy has turned the cover album concept on its ear choosing edgy contemporary choices and approaching them in an innovative and uncompromising way. Not surprising considering she’s spent her career defying expectations and stretching musical boundaries.

Says Macy on being inspired by Nina Simone’s cover songs: “She didn’t worry about what people would think or how they would compare it to anybody else. I saw how she just took that song and every song she ever did and made them her own.  So I went in with the confidence that we could do whatever we wanted.”

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Larry g(ee) recently debuted his soulful EP, entitled Weekends. Produced by Beau Patrick Bedford, Weekends is a solid collection of four songs, including the popular single, “Yo Mama”, along with “I’m You’re Fool,” “Camera Phone,” and “Game.” Backed by a stellar band with more than a dozen members, Weekends is an extraordinary first EP that showcases Larry g(ee)’s talent.

Toonari Post had the chance to catch up with the Dallas, Texas singer to talk about his signature music and where his influences come from.

TP: How would you describe your music? What kind of genre do you think it falls under? 

LG: I’d have to say soul/indie pop band.

TP: How did you get started as a musician? 

LG: In 2004, I started out singing in various coffee shops, clothing boutiques, and open mic nights in Dallas, during a very short singer songwriter phase.

TP: When did you know that you wanted to pursue music professionally? 

LG: It was after I had been let go by a longtime employer, I worked in retail. It was one of those “you don’t have anything to lose just go for it moments”, and I haven’t looked back ever since.

TP: Where do you get your inspiration to write music? 

LG: Personal experiences definitely.

TP: How long did it take to write and record Weekends? 

LG: The songs were written in a span of 3 to 4 months, but the process of getting the album recorded and made, I’d say a year.

TP: You have a large band backing you up on your songs, how did you form the band? Have you known them for a long time, or is your relationship with them new? 

LG: The producer of the album and good friend, Beau Bedford, works with a number of musicians in town. As soon as we laid down the scratch tracks he knew exactly who to reach out to. He’s got a great circle of musicians that he works with but it’s totally attributed to how talented Beau really is. I’m blessed to have worked with him. Some of the other artists on this album are friends who donated their free time to help out. It’s been a beautiful experience. My time spent with the band has developed into good friendship over the past year.

TP: What artists would you like to collaborate with in the future? 

LG: Mostly producers, Salaam Remi, Mark Ronson, Pharrell, Mike Snow’s Andrew Wyatt.

TP: Where do you see yourself in five years from now? 

LG: Touring in the states and overseas.

TP: What artists are you currently listening to? 

LG: The Weekend,Curtis Mayfield, Kings Go Forth, ASAP Rocky, Allen Stone, it’s kind of all over the place.

Image Courtesy of   https://www.facebook.com/LarryGeeMusic

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I heard them live playing for the first time about 3 months ago at the Café Glocksee in Hanover. This was the first time that I heard about this group, Houston’s Wild Moccasins. I was there as any other person in the bar, where suddenly I begin to hear them play. My first impression was that they look pretty young but I was quite amazed by the way the just entered the stage and begin to play.

At first what grabbed my attention was the beat and sound of the tracks, they exposed a unique blend of Indie pop. The woman vocalist of the band, Zahira Gutierrez has a unique voice. Her voice mixed with the rest of the music instruments is the perfect combination.

5 young artists, Zahira Gutierrez, Andrew Ortiz, Cody Swann, Nick Cody and Andrew Lee, integrate the band. The minute that you begin listen to them you just have a feeling of immediate connection. The feeling is strange, cause you know it’s the first time you listen to them but at the same time you feel as if you are familiar with their style and rhythm.

I was listening to them and the whole crowd was cheering and dancing along the songs, and it did not take me long to just begin to move my head and then a minute later I was almost jumping and trying to mumble the songs and pretend to know the lyrics.

I write this article for all the indie fans, I know that you will like this group, and therefore I just let you know the talent that this band has, and just put it out there for you to grasp a touch of their music.

They just finished their European tour 2011 that covered many cities and countries in Europe such as: Belgium, Germany, Paris, Austria, United Kingdom, Netherlands, and Luxemburg.

Two upcoming concerts are coming on the month of June, at Houston, Texas, where the band comes from. The First concert starts on June 4 at the  Summerfest – Eleanor Tinsley Park, and the next one will be June 10th at Fitzgerald’s w/ The Thermals.

The band has already recorded two labels, the first on in the year 2009, Microscopio Metronomes, and the second one Skin Collision Past released on 2010.

Video: Wild Moccasins, \”Skin Collision Past\”

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