Barragán is the ninth studio album by American alternative rock band, Blonde Redhead. The album was released on September 2, 2014, by Kobalt Label Services. It offers a distinct showcase for the band's evolution and experimental, yet melodically approach to music.
The overall sound of the album utilizes a minimalistic backdrop with an emphasis on silence, which was a turn away from Blonde Redhead's more layered and complex earlier albums. This minimalistic turn was largely the result of the band's collaboration with noted producer Drew Brown. The album is named after the Mexican architect Luis Barragán, whose simplistic and colorful design styles are mirrored in the album’s music and artwork.
The album consists of 10 songs that represent the band’s shift from a somewhat more alternative and noise-oriented sound to a more mature, experimental outlook with strong lyrical content. Songs like "Dripping", "Cat on Tin Roof", and "Mind to be Had" stand out for their simplicity and depth.
This album received a mixed critical reception, with some critics noting the band's unique evolution in sound while others noted the album's lack of a distinct centerpiece. Nonetheless, "Barragán" remains an important piece in Blonde Redhead’s discography.
