The Best New Vinyl to Spin This May

Harry Styles, by Harry Styles
One Direction’s Harry Styles is striking out on his own, following confirmation in February that he’d left the band to pursue a solo career. His self-titled debut indicates he made the right move. Not only can Styles carry an album by himself, he has sharp pop songwriting instincts, and this album ranges from 1970s-style ballads to indie rock, with some spacey pop flourishes to keep things interesting. The album’s piano-driven lead single, “Sign of the Times,” signals both the album’s and Styles’ ambition, taking on the viewpoint of a mother dying in childbirth telling her child to “go forth and conquer” in her final moments.

Turn Up the Quiet, by Diana Krall
For this collection of timeless standards from the Great American Songbook, Diana Krall recorded with three different groups: a traditional jazz trio, a traditional jazz quintet, and a quintet with a fiddle player. The musicians’ familiarity with Krall and each other is immediately apparent, giving this album an intimacy that’s perfect for vinyl. As for the songs, Krall reminds us why her place in the modern jazz singer pantheon is secure with sultry vocal performances. In particular, her version of Cole Porter’s “Night and Day” is worth the price of the record by itself, and “Blue Skies” has a smoky bassline and minimalist guitar work that blends perfectly with the piano.

In Spades, by the Afghan Whigs
In Spades is the much-anticipated follow-up to 2014’s Do to the Beast, and the Whigs’ first album since guitarist Dave Rosser was diagnosed with cancer. The band calls this album “spooky,” saying it explores the concept of memory, with the same melancholy, introspective tone as much of their previous work. The album’s two lead singles, “Demon in Profile” and “Arabian Heights,” are great, with “Demon” starting off as a moody piano/vocals duet before surging into the Whig’s trademark soulful rock. “Heights,” meanwhile, has great rising and falling composition guided by drummer Patrick Keeler’s complex percussion.

The Bob’s Burgers Music Album
Fans of Bob’s Burgers rejoice! The songs you love from the Fox animated series are finally getting a proper vinyl release, and it is glorious. Just about every quirky tunes from the show is included here, from Linda Belcher’s spontaneous (and often strange) songs to family musical numbers and montage songs. Highlights are the Tori Amos parody “Oil Spill,” Gene Belcher’s “The Snake Song,” the Winnie the Pooh-esque “Butts, Butts, Butts,” and our absolute favorite, “Lifting Up the Skirt of the Night.” Not only is the vinyl pressing of this record a Barnes & Noble exclusive, it comes with an autographed poster as well.

Welcome Home, by Zac Brown Band
Welcome Home gets its name from the band’s ambitions with this album. Known for their wide range of influences, many expected the Zac Brown Band to stick with the direction of their previous album, Jekyll & Hyde. However, they wanted to return to their folk/country roots, and even the strictest country purists will be pleased with the results. The first single, “My Old Man,” is a perfect example of what to expect here. Simple but effective guitar melodies drive a soft, sentimental song about fatherhood. “Real Thing” takes a similar approach to describing how it feels to hear one’s favorite song for the first time, and does an admirable job of it.

Be Myself, by Sheryl Crow
If you were worried Sheryl Crow’s detour into country music was permanent, don’t be; Be Myself is a return to her 1990s sound, with just enough Nashville soul in the mix to keep things groovy. The production is slick without sounding fake, and Crow’s lyrics are refreshingly honest and mature. The band backing her up is no joke, and may remind you of Bonnie Raitt’s “Love Letter” era in how tight and polished they are. The rhythm of “Halfway There” will have you dancing before you know what hit you, and “Heartbeat Away” builds into a punchy chorus with a fun, and surprisingly sleazy, blues guitar sound.

Memories…Do Not Open, by the Chainsmokers
For all the press the Chainsmokers have been getting, you may be surprised to learn that Memories…Do Not Open is their first proper full-length album. You may also be surprised by how much of a departure it is from the EDM-pop they’ve released prior to this. A lot of the songs on Memories are smooth, mid-tempo ballads, with lyrics focused more on selfishness and regret than partying. Fortunately, the Chainsmokers adapt well to this alteration in their sound, and prove to be just as accessible in collaboration with Coldplay (“Something Just Like This”) as with their standard dance material (“Break Up Every Night”).