Norah Jones Releases ‘Little Broken Hearts,’ Covers Kristofferson

Norah Jones' latest, "Little Broken Hearts," is a departure for the singer and songwriter. (Photo by Noah Abrams)

Singer-songwriter Norah Jones today releases “Little Broken Hearts” (Blue Note), her fifth album and her first outright departure.

Co-written and recorded with Brian “Danger Mouse” Burton, the album strays from Jones’ jazzy low-key piano pop in favor of a leaner rock sound: Though there are ballads a-plenty, “Little Broken Hearts” features the punchy bass and offbeat R&B shadings Burton has brought to Gnarls Barkley, Broken Bells and, to a lesser extent, the Black Keys.

The sound suits Jones’ voice on these songs, which were inspired by a relationship that feel apart. Known for sounding drowsy, she turns arch instead on “She’s 22″ and falls somewhere between rueful and royally ticked on “4 Broken Hearts.”

There’s an arid feel to “Out on the Road,” a slightly southwestern song of escape, while lead single “Happy Pills” is as glorious, and biting, a pop song as Jones has recorded so far.

Norah Jones performs July 2 at Toyota Presents Oakdale Theatre in Wallingford. Tickets are $58, $48 and $38 via www.livenation.com.

(She covered this Kris Kristofferson song last week during an appearance on “Later With Jules Holland.”)