Inspired by the confessional singer-songwriters of the 1970s, Melua has moved from that era's first wave (Cat Stevens, Elton John) to a later round (Karla Bonoff, J.D. Souther) in which simple and sentimental define the lyrics as much as the melodies. She arrived when Norah Jones was the closest model--they shared the sincerity, the calmness, the photogenic looks--but in some musical universes five years can be a long time. "Pictures" captures Melua veering toward proven pop styles and away from jazzy touches and balladry. It dilutes the sensual and wistful undercurrents that have distinguished her from a fast-growing pack.

She's a wounded bird on much of "Pictures," dedicated to a recovery that can only be achieved through love, a theme that runs through much of her work. In some cases, she aims to prove her dedication to a relationship ("If the Lights Go Out"). Elsewhere, she holds onto memories and dreams (the sultry "It's All in My Head," the gently hypnotic "Spellbound," a vulnerable reading of Leonard Cohen's "In My Secret Life").

Melua started a solo tour Sunday (5/3) in Los Angeles and performed for a half-hour at a private reception in Beverly Hills. Backing herself on acoustic and electric guitars and the piano, Melua unleashes unguarded emotion in song after song. The bare-bones delivery and the quiver and depth in her voice enhanced the nuance in the new songs, making all of the tunes refreshingly vibrant.