Album: Not Too Late

Introduction
"Not Too Late" is the third studio album by American singer-songwriter Norah Jones, released on January 30, 2007, by Blue Note Records. The album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart, making it Jones' third consecutive album to reach the top of the chart. Featuring a mix of jazz, folk, country, and pop affects, "Not Too Late" showcases Jones' evolution as an artist and her desire to check out new noises and themes in her music.

Background and Production
Following the success of her very first 2 albums, "Come Away with Me" (2002) and "Feels Like Home" (2004), Norah Jones took a break from the spotlight to concentrate on her individual life and explore various musical tasks. Throughout this time, she worked together with different artists, such as Ray Charles, OutKast, and the Foo Fighters. This experimentation with various musical designs influenced the sound of "Not Too Late".

Unlike her previous albums, Jones had a more hands-on method throughout the making of "Not Too Late". She co-produced the album with her then-boyfriend and bassist, Lee Alexander, and composed or co-wrote all 13 tracks, making it her first album to primarily feature initial material. The album was tape-recorded in Jones and Alexander's home studio in New York, giving it a more intimate and individual feel compared to her previous records.

Music and Lyrics
"Not Too Late" is a departure from the jazz-influenced noise of Jones' first two albums, including aspects of folk, country, and pop. While her signature sultry and emotional vocals stay constant throughout the album, the tunes showcase her development as a songwriter and lyricist. Much of the tracks on "Not Too Late" discuss themes of love, loss, and reflection, with Jones exposing a more vulnerable and introspective side of her writing.

The album opens with "Wish I Could", a song about lost love, featuring delicate guitar and piano plans. "Sinkin' Soon", the second track, is a lively tune with a New Orleans jazz vibe, integrating horns and a ragtime piano. Other standout tracks consist of the melancholic "Not My Friend", the country-tinged "Rosie's Lullaby", and the introspective "Broken".

The album likewise checks out more socially mindful themes, with tracks like "My Dear Country" and "Wake Me Up". "My Dear Country" showcases Jones' concerns about political concerns and the state of the country, while "Wake Me Up" touches on the feelings of despondence and misery that frequently accompany tough times.

Reception
"Not Too Late" got generally positive evaluations from music critics, many of whom applauded Jones' advancement as a musician and her desire to check out brand-new noises. The album debuted at top on the Billboard 200 chart and offered 405,000 copies in its first week, making it the greatest first-week sales of Jones' profession at the time.

The album also performed well internationally, topping the charts in a number of nations, consisting of Australia, France, and the United Kingdom. Since 2018, "Not Too Late" has offered over 5 million copies worldwide.

Conclusion
With "Not Too Late", Norah Jones showed her growth as an artist and her capability to successfully try out new musical styles and lyrical themes. The album's intimate and reflective nature, coupled with its varied noise, strengthened Jones' position as a popular and versatile musician in the industry. Overall, "Not Too Late" is a testament to Jones' evolution as a singer, songwriter, and entertainer.