James Blunt has always been a softy — singing with the finesse of a ballet dancer and the tone of a clarinet.

His easygoing falsetto in hits like “You’re Beautiful” and “Goodbye My Lover” made him the love song king of the early 2000’s. With “Moon Landing,” Blunt seems to be attempting to back away from that.

Unfortunately for Blunt, it doesn’t work.

Songs like the single “Bonfire Heart” and “Heart To Heart” come off a little strong, but not strong enough. With straight beats and folk elements, “Bonfire Heart” especially fails to complement his mellowness. Gang vocals help but don’t solve the problem.

Where Blunt shines is in songs like “Miss America.” Falsettos ring up high in a piano-driven ballad with complements from harps and choral backdrops. The song falls off the wagon toward the end however with a building anthem.

Overall, Blunt’s voice belongs in breakup songs that lend themselves better to pity than to actual feeling.

In some ways, it’s comedic how “sentimental” his voice comes off.

A scene from “The Office” comes to mind when Michael Scott, who’s going through a breakup, listens to “Goodbye My Lover” incessantly. It isn’t sentimental or sensitive. It’s just plain sad.

And really, that’s how this album sounds.