April is the cruelest month, as “tortured poet” T.S. Eliot once wrote — and here in the People’s Republic, it belonged to Taylor Swift. It’s no surprise to see her on top of this month’s bestsellers at Paradise Found Records and Music (1646 Pearl St.), but we’re not sure what Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter is doing so low in the ranking. Boulder: That’s between you and God.
1. Taylor Swift - The Tortured Poets Department
2. Khruangbin - A La Sala
3. Pearl Jam - Dark Matter
4. Vampire Weekend - Only God Was Above Us
5. Beyoncé - Cowboy Carter
6. Maggie Rogers - Don't Forget Me
7. Black Keys - Ohio Players
8. Jordana & TV Girl - Summer’s Over
9. Neil Young & Crazy Horse - Fuckin' Up
10. Noah Kahan - Cape Elizabeth (reissue)
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STAFF PICK: After last summer’s opening slot for Lauryn Hill at the Montreal Jazz Festival and a stamp of approval on Elton John’s podcast, Jalen Ngonda’s effortless debut LP Come Around and Love Me is at the forefront of my playlist and the contemporary soul scene. His silky, strong falsetto was built for soul, and the timeless production on tracks like “If You Don’t Want My Love” makes every day feel like a breezy Sunday morning. - Lauren Hill, intern