National Album Day 2021 ambassadors announced!

National Album Day returns for its fourth edition on Saturday 16^th October, and this year will spotlight women artists and their huge contribution to music and culture through the art of the album.

Revisiting iconic and influential albums by women artists, from the earliest pioneers to present-day legends, and pointing towards exciting new and future talent, the 2021 event will also highlight the integral role women play within the wider music community, not only as recording artists, but as songwriters, producers, and cultural influencers.

We are delighted to announce our 2021 ambassadors, who will be championing their love of the album between now and the build up to the day itself. They are: multi-platinum recording artist Sharleen Spiteri,  2021 Hyundai Mercury Prize shortlisted Laura Mvula, R’n’B/soul queen Ray BLK and BRITs 2020 Rising Star nominated Joy Crookes.

Sharleen Spiteri, chart topping singer songwriter with the phenomenally successful band Texas said: “With albums, you go on a journey with the writer. The moment when the songs become yours, the people and places, the heartaches and nights out in your life, merge into that album and forever stick with you. The album is one of the most important art forms that exist in our times, that is why we need to protect and celebrate it.”

Laura Mvula, who has received critical acclaim for her brand new album Pink Noise, said: “The feeling of physically holding an album and listening to an artist paint a full technicolour picture through music and lyrics is magic and unlike anything else. I can credit so many amazing women whose albums have been integral in my life, not just as an artist but as a human being.”

Ray BLK, a previous winner of BBC's Sound, said: “My favourite albums have been the soundtrack to moments in my life. They’ve made me think, healed me and inspired me as a writer. Hearing a body of work from an artist is an opportunity to see inside their mind and their life, And so to be releasing my own album and sharing my innermost thoughts with my supporters means everything. In an era of viral singles, of which we rarely know the creators, protecting and supporting albums is so necessary because it’s how we truly connect to an artist and emotionally invest in them, and without that attachment there’s no incentive to buy a ticket to their shows or follow their journey - which ultimately leads to the demise of artists, and a soulless industry.” 

Joy Crookes, who was nominated for a BRIT Rising Star award in 2020, said: “Albums are bodies of work. Journeys, immortalising memories of an artist and packaging it chapter by chapter into a sonic book. I have always been besotted by the adventure of an album. The use of voice notes from people's family members, the atmospheric sounds that never made it to radio mixes to paint a picture, and the orchestras nurturing a rapper's poetry to form a song.

Ever since I was a child, my favourite possession was an album. My Wednesday evening trips to HMV, cursing at the man at the till for not knowing whether he liked James Blake's voice, slipping an extra 3 Trojan collection albums (40 songs for a tenner) into my basket and drooling over Grace Jones' artwork has made me the 'body of work' artist I am today. It is important we protect the album artform as removing it and oversaturating our industry with singles removes the stage for musicians to tell their story.”

Fans can join in the National Album Day fun by heading to their favourite store or digital service to explore a selection of new albums, boxsets and classic reissues including: Stevie Nicks, Donna Summer, HAIM, Eva Cassidy, Dido, Garbage, Nina Simone, Roisin Murphy, Patti Smith, Solange, Lykkie Li, Amy Winehouse and more. A selection of albums announced so far that are being re-issued or released in various formats exclusively for National Album Day is below, with more confirmed titles to come.

National Album Day is organised jointly by the BPI – the UK independent and major labels association (The BRIT Awards and Mercury Prize) – and the Entertainment Retailers Association – representing retailers and digital services (Record Store Day).  Presented in partnership with official audio partner Bowers & Wilkins, the event is supported across broadcast partner the BBC, who will support National Album Day across television, radio and digital with bespoke programming on BBC iPlayer, BBC Radio 2 and highlights available to listen to on BBC Sounds, along with the UK’s recorded music community including AIM and other trade associations, retailers and digital/streaming services, and album platforms such as Classic Album Sundays and The Record Club.

Renowned audio brand, Bowers & Wilkins, continues its support for National Album Day as official audio partner. Built on a passion for music, Bowers & Wilkins has been on an unrelenting pursuit of the highest quality listening experiences for music fans for 55 years, always delivering sound that remains true to how the artist intended their album to be heard.

Giles Pocock, Vice-President, Brand Marketing, Bowers & Wilkins said: “We’re proud to continue our support for National Album Day and celebrate the huge contribution and exceptional talent of women artists and those involved in the creation of music in all its forms. This year’s ambassadors are a true reflection of the breadth of outstanding, multi-generational female music talent that we have here in the UK.”

Keep track of the National Album Day website for more news and updates and how to get involved over the coming months.