Barnes & Noble Presents Album of the Month Selections for  September 2024  

New York, NY – September 4, 2024 – Barnes & Noble announces its September selections for Albums of the Month in the following categories: Pop, Jazz, Folk and Artist to Watch. Every month, new categories allow the Album of the Month program to highlight diverse and exciting music ranging from new voices to classics.

Liana Flores is the Artist to Watch, with her album Flower of the Soul. This exceedingly creative debut album is an ode to escapism, pulling from the whimsical and the fantastical to create a unique and satisfying sound.

“British-Brazilian singer-songwriter Liana Flores, who originally gained fame doing ukelele covers on YouTube, is equally impressive with her original songs on Flower of the Soul, blending influences from British folk and classic jazz to '60s Brazilian bossa nova,” said Crissi Bariatti, Senior Merchandise Manager, Barnes & Noble. “Pairing dream-like snapshots of her intimate world with wistful guitar melodies, Flores creates a unique and intoxicating sound that will appeal to fans of Laufey and Mitski. 

The Pop Monthly Pick for September is Paradise State of Mind by Foster the People. The fourth studio album incorporates elements of disco, jazz, gospel and funk while exploring modern and relevant themes stemming from the COVID pandemic.

Breaking through in 2011 with the massive hit “Pumped up Kicks,” Foster the People have taken their upbeat alt-pop sound to the next level with their new album Paradise State of Mind,” said Bill Castle, Director of Merchandise, Barnes & Noble. “The lead single, “Lost in Space” has a 70’s Disco vibe that sets the tone for the rest of the album. A fun and funky album to help us dance our way to the end of summer.”

Barnes & Noble booksellers chose Milton + Esperanza, from Milton Nascimento & Esperanza Spalding, for the Jazz Monthly Pick. Merging Nascimento’s 40+ albums with Spalding’s five Grammys, this is a merger of two remarkable musicians into one dynamic album.

“Recorded in Brazil in 2023, Milton + Esperanza is an ode to the friendship that has blossomed between Brazilian musical legend Milton Nascimento and Grammy-winning Jazz artist Esperanza Spalding over the past fifteen years,” said Tina Mong, Commercial Strategy Manager, Barnes & Noble. “Including re-imaginations of Nascimento’s own material, two interpretations of other classic songs, and several original songs (including a track with Paul Simon) Milton + Esperanza is a beautiful tribute to Nascimento’s legacy.”

Finally, the Folk Monthly Pick goes to Long Way Home by Ray LaMontagne. Deep and introspective, LaMontagne’s powerful voice delivers a layered listening experience with wide appeal.

“On Long Way Home, Grammy-Award winning singer-songwriter Ray LaMontagne traces the origins of modern folk, all told through his gravelly, weather-beaten croon,” said Bariatti. “With his pioneering approach to Americana storytelling, LaMontagne explores his youth and the influence that folk artists like Townes Van Zandt have played on his life and career.”

Every month, Barnes & Noble shines the spotlight on four exceptional albums covering a broad spectrum of musical genres, and artists at various stages of their creative journey. Previous Barnes & Noble Albums of the Month selections have included: The Chainsaw Man Soundtrack, by Kensuke Ushio, Vampire Weekend, by Vampire Weekend, JPEG RAW by Gary Clark Jr., In Rainbows, by Radiohead, Little Girl Blue by Nina Simone, Master of Puppets by Metallica, and What Now by Brittany Howard.