What does First Sessions sound like?

A soothing blend of jazz and folk, wrapped in Norah Jones's smoky vocals and intimate songwriting. Rooted in blues and country. Start with "Don’t Know Why".

Is First Sessions a good place to start with Norah Jones?

Yes, First Sessions is recommended as a starting point for new Norah Jones listeners. A soothing blend of jazz and folk, wrapped in Norah Jones's smoky vocals and intimate songwriting. Released as Norah Jones's debut EP, First Sessions came out shortly before her breakthrough album Come Away With Me. At this point, she was an emerging artist balancing her musical aspirations with her studies at the University of New York. This project set the stage for her subsequent rise to fame, showcasing her unique blend of genres.

Who is First Sessions for?

First Sessions works well if you're into intimate moments of quiet reflection, for cozy evenings and steady flow of soft melodies.

How many songs are on First Sessions?

First Sessions has 6 tracks, running approximately 19 minutes.

First Sessions

Norah Jones · 2001

19 min · 6 tracks · blues

A soothing blend of jazz and folk, wrapped in Norah Jones's smoky vocals and intimate songwriting.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Don’t Know Why Start here — This track serves as the emotional centerpiece of the EP, highlighting Jones's ability to fuse jazzy melodies with poignant lyrics about uncertainty and longing.
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Come Away With Me — The title track encapsulates the essence of the project, offering a gentle invitation that showcases her smooth vocal delivery and introspective lyricism.
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Peace — This song stands out for its lyrical simplicity and soothing arrangement, effectively conveying a sense of calm and reflection that resonates throughout the EP.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

58 /100

Treeline

Higher than 49% of albums we've rated

The EP showcases strong songwriting and a cohesive sound, establishing Jones's unique style early in her career.

What we noticed

The first track opens with a gentle piano melody that sets a laid-back tone, which is maintained throughout the EP.
Vocals are prominently featured, often layered with soft harmonies that create an intimate atmosphere.
Each song typically follows a verse-chorus structure, with subtle variations in instrumentation that keep the arrangements fresh.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 6/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 8/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

intimate moments of quiet reflection
for cozy evenings
steady flow of soft melodies
short tracks for quick listens

Maybe skip if you

seekers of high-energy tracks
prefer longer, complex compositions

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — This EP paved the way for her commercial success with Come Away With Me.
Themes: smoky jazz clubs· New York introspection· emerging artist struggle
Career context: Released as Norah Jones's debut EP, First Sessions came out shortly before her breakthrough album Come Away With Me. At this point, she was an emerging artist balancing her musical aspirations with her studies at the University of New York. This project set the stage for her subsequent rise to fame, showcasing her unique blend of genres.
Stylistic neighbors: Madeleine Peyroux· Diana Krall· Sarah Jarosz