The House

The musical history of Katie Melua suggests she is not an artist from whom to expect surprises. She kicked off her career back in 2003 with Call Off the Search, and has since often been bracketed with the likes of Norah Jones, KT Tunstall and Dido. Since then there have been two further studio albums, Piece By Piece and Pictures, which did well enough without matching the music heights of their predecessor. Her latest effort, however, entitled The House, marks something of a departure for Melua. Gone is the obvious influence of Mike Batt (the old-fashioned popster and creator of the Wombies), who has served as the producer on her three previous albums. In his place has stepped William Orbit, the techno-reliant artist most known for producing Madonna's Ray of Light - and so we are presented with a younger, funkier sound, and darker broodings from Melua's whispery voice.