Pop

** 1/2 Jonny Lang, “Wander This World,” A&M.; Striking out in new directions only a year after his debut release, the 17-year-old blues prodigy offers a collection that’s not so blues-oriented. Instead, “Wander This World” (in stores Tuesday) reveals a young musician who’s more willing to take chances than a lot of better- established acts.

Where 1997’s “Lie to Me” was the Minneapolis-based singer-guitarist’s paean to some of the bluesmen who shaped his playing, the new album reflects Lang’s enthusiasm for soul, funk and R&B;, as absorbed through such influences as Prince and legendary soul guitarist Steve Cropper (who plays on the gospel-tinged “Leaving to Stay”). The result is a more varied palette, but the effect is diluted by undistinguished rock songs, cliched love ballads (two co-written by Lang) and occasional cheesy flourishes from producer David Z.

Lang’s fiery playing creates some exciting moments, and his throaty singing can be compelling when he works at it, as on the burbly “I Am” (co-written by Prince) and the funk-rocker “Before You Hit the Ground.” But he’s at his best with the blues, grunt-wailing on Luther Allison’s “Cherry Red Wine” like a man truly agonized over a loved one’s descent into depression and alcoholism.

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Albums are rated on a scale of one star (poor), two stars (fair), three stars (good) and four stars (excellent). The albums are already released unless otherwise noted.