Nolita

Nolita

Although Keren Ann's global melting-pot makeup may be confounding--she's a daughter of Javanese-Dutch and Russian-Israeli parents who lives in Paris and New York--her music is anything but. To the contrary, her jazzy, mostly acoustic pop is warm and familiar from the first note. Her second album to gain release in the U.S. and fourth album overall, Nolita is a hushed collection of late-afternoon lullabies sung alternately in English and French. In either language her voice is an airy wisp that glides over deceptively simple arrangements. Her songs unfold unhurriedly, weaving together deft guitar lines, swirling keys, rustic touches of violin, and occasional bits of brass. Nolita's high points are perhaps not as high as those of its predecessor, Keren Ann's memorable American debut Not Going Anywhere, but the total effect of Nolita is a sweet and becalming one.

Select a country or region

Africa, Middle East, and India

Asia Pacific

Europe

Latin America and the Caribbean

The United States and Canada