Words Came Back to Me

Sixteen year-old Sonya Kitchell emerged as a remarkably mature singer/songwriter on her 2006 debut album Words Came Back to Me. In its tracks, she invokes a host of influences (ranging from Van Morrison to Bonnie Raitt and Beth Orton) while making her music sound like a process of discovery. Kitchell’s supple, smoky-toned vocals suggest Norah Jones with more heft and emotional commitment — her surprisingly rich lower range is particularly beguiling. Her lyric focus shifts from poetic musings (“Tinted Glass”) to poignant character studies (“Jerry”) and old-school romantic effusions (“Think of You,” “I’d Love You”). Aided by Steve Addabbo’s crisp production, she turns “Let Me Go” into a sultry retro-soul excursion and fills “Simple Melody” with soft, pastel-like shadings. She seems equally comfortable with billowy, impressionistic tracks like “Train” and snappy bits of ear candy like “No Matter What.” Though they seem worldly-wise at times, there’s an overall sense of innocence to these songs that enhances their appeal. Words Came Back to Me is the work of an artist testing her wings and soaring amazingly high.