For many current artists, hiatuses and breaks within a career are to recharge or “find oneself” and take time to spend with family. Michael Bublé, all geared and ready for his 2017 tour for his album “Nobody But Me” the previous year, cancelled his pending tour to put his family first after his 3-year-old son, Noah, was diagnosed with cancer.

With both parents halting their careers indefinitely to care for their son, Bublé had remained primarily out of the public eye until this September, breaking his silence with a post on social media.  On Nov. 16, the Canadian released his most recent album titled “Love,” depicted by a small red heart on the cover art. Eight studio albums, 15 years and four Grammys later, he sticks to his strengths, singing songs about love and executing the classics.

The first released single from the album, “When I Fall In Love,” is a classic jazz song originally performed in 1952 by Jeri Southern. More recognizable covers and re-recordings of it include Doris Day and Nat King Cole. Bublé takes an elegant and gentle approach, with subtle grandeurs of a string orchestra and gracious harp plucking. Known for his higher leaps in range, Bublé keeps it simple and smooth by staying in the lower range of his baritone voice.

“La vie en rose” featuring Céline McLorin Salvant is one of two duets on the album. A 1945 classic by French vocalist Édith Piaf, the song can be found in an abundance of films including “X-Men: First Class” and “A Star Is Born.” It is extremely recognizable with an introduction of violins and an accordion, conjuring up an image of a couple on a boat while enjoying a late afternoon on the River Seine in Paris. Bublé and Salvant sing a beautiful hybrid of both the French original and an English translation of the song. Elegant sounding and beyond lovely, Salvant nearly overpowers Bublé by the sheer power and beauty of her voice, regardless of whether she is singing the French or English. The harmonies alone will cast listeners into a nostalgia for a time they have not experienced.

Creating a tantalizing air, something that has become a staple for Bublé albums- much like his recording of “Cry Me A River” from his past album “Crazy Love”- “My Funny Valentine” delivers a twist quite unlike any other recording of the 1937 Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart musical “Babes In Arms” showtune. It is quite subdued. Performed by legends like Ella Fitzgerald and Frank Sinatra, Bublé has many to go up against with this whimsical and churning classic. He sets the bar high for many to come as he revives and rearranges classics, singing to songs of past generation. Opening the song with a low bass drum pulse, the rhythm manifests into the heartbeat as a full orchestra enters creating the perfect backdrop for any James Bond film.

“Forever Now” is the only song co-written by Bublé from the album. It is a short, sweet song that pulls at the heartstrings and is relatable to any parent. “You know that you’re the one that we’ve been waiting for / We’re gonna keep you safe / First time I held you in my arms / I knew I’d love you all the way.” Vowing to always support his son Noah, Bublé touches lightly on the struggles he wishes his song did not have to endure, but with each struggle comes an equal if not greater possibility and opportunity in life. With two years already passed and his son now on the path toward recovery, Bublé reflects on the journey, with this song and the reasoning behind this album simply being love.

With an album nearly as suited for the holidays after his 2012 “Christmas” album, Bublé presents a swelling arrangement of feel-good, heartfelt tunes just in time for the holiday season and cold winter days. He stays comfortable within what he knows, while regaining a fresh start.

Image from Michael Bublé via YouTube