SARA BAREILLES: Amidst The Chaos (Epic)

FOLLOWING a move into musical theatre — she wrote music and lyrics for the West End hit Waitress — the Californian singer goes back to her pop roots on an album that mixes pounding piano tracks and smoky ballads. She sometimes tries to be too clever, but real missteps are rare. Miss Simone, a tribute to Nina, is one of several jazz workouts. If I Can’t Have You is classic soul in the tradition of Smokey Robinson.