Noticed how it’s a little more chilly early in the morning… how the sun is peeking through your window a little later… yes, autumn is almost here… soon leaves will turn yellow and fall to the ground… you’ll move your winter wardrobe a little more forward in the cupboard… you’ll start stocking up on soup for the cold months ahead… and you’ll be wondering if there’s a CD out there that can help chase the cold away… a CD that will warm you like your favourite blanket. This is it.

“Not too late” is Norah’s third album and fans of her earlier works will be pleased to still find that subtle mantra of tasteful, sultry songs tinged with jazz, folk, country and blues. Yes, it’s familiar territory and although critics were expecting a change of direction, it is rather pleasant to let the warm sounds of Norah’s voice just flow over you and fill your home. This is lazy Sunday afternoon music. This is cuddle with hot chocolate in bed music. This is missing people you’ve never met music. Patient, simple ballads, calm jazz/folk chords and quiet instrumental embellishments are still what Norah does best and there are plenty here, enhanced of course by her timeless, honeyed vocals.

And maybe it’s in this that Norah’s success lies… the expectation of the familiar… by end January this year “Not too late” became the most pre-ordered album of all time on www.amazon.com. There is absolutely no calculated risk in pre-ordering or buying this album without listening to it first. It’s not as if Norah’s gonna start singing about Skaterboys or upstage Christina Aguilera by copying her sound. This is smooth, sexy even.

“Not too late” is Norah’s first album where she’s written or collaborated on all the material. First single “Thinking about you” manages to put a knowing smile on your face as you think back to secret lovers, stolen moments and cherished memories. “Yesterday I saw the sun shining and the leaves were falling down softly. My cold hands needed a warm, warm touch. And I was thinking about you.” Best you revel in these intimate little musings all by yourself and try and hide that smile before any questions are asked. It is difficult not to be completely submerged in the banjo, piano and sleazy muted trumpet sounds. It’s difficult not to be impressed at how effortless Norah manages to make good music sound.

So as the leaves start falling and you start pricing heaters, there’s one way to ease into winter… Put Norah on. Or tell someone about Norah. It’s not too late.