Barnes & Noble dropped the curtain on its April selections for Albums of the Month, showcasing a diverse array of musical talents across four distinct categories. The B&N Albums of the Month program spans Artist to Watch, Blues Monthly Pick, Classic Indie Monthly Pick, and Rock Monthly Pick, offering a broad spectrum of genres to cater to varied tastes.
Leading the lineup as this month’s Artist to Watch is the eclectic musical trio Khruangbin, recognized for its fifth studio album, A La Sala. Drawing from an amalgamation of influences including dub, soul, and rock, Khruangbin’s unique sound defies conventional categorization, promising a listening experience that transcends boundaries.
“Khruangbin’s 2020 album, Mordechai, helped put the psychedelic rock trio on the map with their upbeat party tunes,” says Crissi Bariatti, Senior Merchandise Manager of Music. “With their new album, A La Sala, the band beautifully shows their laid-back side, with world music-tinged trip-hop that is reminiscent of Morcheeba or Thievery Corporation. The perfect album heading into warmer weather, A La Sala transports you to a tropical beachside, umbrella cocktail in hand. This is just the album you will want to spin when you want to chill out at the end of a long day.”
For the Blues Monthly Pick, Barnes & Noble has selected Gary Clark Jr.’s JPEG RAW. Clark Jr.’s sixth album continues his tradition of seamlessly blending soul, blues, rock, and hip-hop, delivering a socially conscious and musically innovative collection.
Bill Castle, Director of Merchandise for Music & Video, emphasized Clark Jr.’s evolution, stating, “Musically, while retaining his blues roots, Clark this time adds flourishes of jazz, world music, rock, rap, and even spoken word to create a fresh new sound unlike anything you have heard before.”
The Classic Indie Monthly Pick spotlights Vampire Weekend‘s debut album, the self-titled Vampire Weekend, recognized for its infectious blend of pop, synth, and world music elements. Tina Mong, Commercial Strategy Manager for Media, praised the album’s enduring appeal, noting its inclusion in esteemed music publications’ lists.
“Bursting onto the scene with the track ‘Oxford Comma’, Vampire Weekend took the music world by storm in 2008 with their self-titled first album,” Mong says. “Each track is a blend of catchy pop, synth, and world music along with cleverly crafted lyrics that make you want to get up, dance, and sing along at the top of your lungs. Landing itself on Pitchforks’ ‘Top 200 Albums of the 2000s’ and Rolling Stone’s ‘500 Great Albums of All-Time’ lists, Vampire Weekend is an album you will want to listen to again and again.”
Rounding out the selection is the Rock Monthly Pick, awarded to The Strokes’ seminal debut album, Is This It? Bariatti lauded the album’s enduring impact on the indie rock scene, highlighting its raw energy and charismatic frontman, Julian Casablancas.
“Garnering tons of buzz before it was even released in 2001, the debut album by The Strokes lives up to its hype,” Bariatti says. “80’s punk influenced, each track on Is This It? packs a punch with short bursts of infectious energy and irresistible hooks. Reminiscent of early Lou Reed, frontman Julian Casablancas brings the swagger as he howls, coos, and invites you to join him on his next adventure. Is This It? encapsulates the NYC music scene in the 2000s.”
Barnes & Noble’s dedication to celebrating the richness of music is evident in its Albums of the Month selections, which offer a curated glimpse into the past and present of the music landscape. Previous honorees include Fiona Apple, Nina Simone, Metallica, and Brittany Howard, reflecting the program’s commitment to highlighting diverse musical talent.
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