Leave it to a New York Times columnist to come up with a solution for solving all of America’s ills. Nobel Prize-winning economist Paul Krugman has decided that asking what happened to the U.S. economy is so yesterday, and it’s time now to fix the ailing system. Fortunately, Krugman thinks he’s just the man for the job. His latest book, End This Depression Now!, argues that the Obama administration was too chicken in pumping money into the economy at its weakest point, and should double down on expansionary monetary and fiscal policies to employ all those underemployed youngins sitting in their parents’ basements. The book might not surprise anyone who’s been reading the true-blue Keynesian’s columns for the past three years, but just like his last compilation on the causes of the crisis, it’s nice to have it between two pieces of cardboard. Krugman discusses his book at 7 p.m. at Politics & Prose, 5015 Connecticut Ave. NW. Free. (202) 364-1919. (Lydia DePillis)

MUSIC

The singer Khaira Arby makes music with pan-Malian breadth and a touch of the blues. She spoke with Arts Desk’s Steve Kiviat recently, and performs tonight at 8:30 p.m. at DC9, 1940 9th St. NW. (202) 483-5000. $12.

I call bullshit on The Features‘ souped-up, small-town gloom pop, but hey! Both local openers are solid. Monument plays aggressive, ’90s-style emo in the Cap’n Jazz vein; Teen Mom makes surprisingly digestible beach pop. At 8 p.m. at Red Palace, 1212 H St. NE. (202) 388-ROCK. $12.

Go-to art-damage rockers Xiu Xiu and up-and-coming art-damage rockers Dirty Beaches—-fresh off a strong Record Store Day split 7-inch—-share a bill at 7 p.m. at Rock & Roll Hotel, (202) 388-ROCK. $15.