Best Record Store Day exclusives to pick up this year

Attention all vinyl fanatics, if you're a true collector, you'll already know what's around the corner, and probably already have lists drafted. But, to those of you not in the know, get ready because Record Store Day is coming up on the 22nd of April, and there's the small order of deciding which ones are going to make your list!

Since 2007, the day has been an inspirational and widespread effort to provide the local record stores of the world with a day of exclusive releases and queues around the block. With 500+ exclusive releases from both independent and major label artists, including the likes of The 1975, Taylor Swift, The Black Keys, Beach House, Loyle Carner, Blur, Stevie Nicks, Miles Davis, Pixies, Ol' Dirty Bastard and so, so many more; there are so many cool records to grab and diversify your collection. 

So, with all this in mind, we wanted to let you in on which releases we think you should be aiming to get your hands on and show off to all your pals. From awesome coloured releases to some never before pressed on wax to awesome picture disk represses of classic albums, RSD 2023 has it all, and we can't wait to see you queuing outside your favourite local record shop when the date comes around. Scroll down and check it out!

 

 

Taylor Swift - Folklore: The Long Pond Studio Sessions

Format: 2LP, Custom Grey Vinyl

Label: UMG

This Record Store Day exclusive from the biggest pop star on the planet looks set to be at the top of most people's lists this year, and will undoubtedly be amongst the first to sell out. Pressed on the custom grey double LP will be Taylor Swift’s 3rd Grammy Album of the Year, folklore, which was recorded during the Covid-19 lockdown.

Taylor and her collaborators were never able to play the album together... until the Long Pond Studio Sessions in September 2020. Making this is the first time these recorded studio sessions will be available on vinyl. Recorded live, the album features Taylor Swift, Aaron Dessner (The National), Jack Antonoff (Bleachers) and Justin Vernon (Bon Iver). So only a few small names. 

If you're after this one, we're afraid you may have to start queuing incredibly early doors. But we won't blame you, it will be a highly sought-after release for years to come. 

 

---

 

Beach House - Become

Format: 12" EP, Custom Clear Vinyl

Label: Bella Union

The Become EP is a collection of five songs from the Once Twice Melody sessions, featuring tracks the band didn’t think fit in the world of the album, but later realized they all fit in a little world of their own. The band state the releases to be all kinds of scuzzy and spacious, and live in the spirit realm.

Become featuring the songs “American Daughter,” “Devil’s Pool,” “Holiday House,” “Black Magic” and the title track, and was produced by Beach House, with mixing by Alan Moulder (track 1), Trevor Spencer (tracks 2, 3, 5), and Caesar Edmunds (track 4), and mastering by Greg Calbi and Steve Fallone at Sterling Sound.

For fans of the Baltimore shoegaze superstars, this will be a much-coveted piece worthy of any collectors shelves, whilst probably not the first to sell out, we're sure by the end of the day these will be nowhere to be seen in the stores, so make sure to get down early on the day as to not miss out!

 

---

 

Stevie Nicks - Bella Donna Live 1981

Format: 2LP

Label: Rhino / Atlantic 

Available for the first time on vinyl, this 2LP set features Stevie Nicks's live recording from the 'White Winged Dove Tour' at the Fox Wilshire Theatre on December 13th 1981. Basically, this is a live collection of one of the greatest vocalists of her era, harmonising her way through some of her greatest hits from solo work and Fleetwood Mac Alike. 

The show included tracks from Bella Donna including “Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around,” “Leather and Lace” and “Edge of Seventeen,” along with Fleetwood Mac favourites “Gold Dust Woman,” “Dreams,” “Sara” and “Rhiannon.” 

For any fans of Stevie, this is an exclusive chance to get a hold of some scintillating live performances pressed on hard wax, for the first time ever. Just make sure you're in the queue in time!

 

---

 

Miles Davis - Rare Miles From The Complete On The Corner Sessions

Format: LP, Custom Blue Vinyl

Label: Columbia / Legacy

Miles Davis’ On The Corner recently turned 50 and with each decade, its space-age funk has only become more influential to generations of jazz, electronic, post-punk and especially hip-hop fans and artists.

This new vinyl release Turnaround cherry picks four stellar cuts from the celebrated project The Complete On The Corner Sessions released in 2007 that collected key recordings captured before and after that release. The tracks featured his new band including Michael Henderson on bass, Al Foster on drums and Mtume on percussion plus rotating appearances by the likes of Herbie Hancock, Dave Liebman and Bennie Maupin. Featuring an adaptation of the celebrated Corky McCoy cover of cartoon characters in pink, complemented by the limited edition sky blue vinyl, this marks the first time this material will be widely available on vinyl.

One for Jazz fanatics and Davis superfans alike, plus, just look at the colour of that record, it's nearly as mesmeric as the tunes on it!

 

---

  

The 1975 - Live With the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra

Format: 2LP, Custom Clear Vinyl

Label: UMR / Polydor – Dirty Hit

Whether you hate Matty Healey or think he's one of God's greatest gifts, you can't deny The 1975s influence and quality of music. On this exclusive RSD release, the chart-topping UK band play songs from their 2nd studio album, I Like It When You Sleep, for You Are So Beautiful yet So Unaware of It, with the full BBC Philharmonic Orchestra. Meaning that the music on show is huge, filled out, and truly epic recreation of their sensational sophomore effort. 

Released for RSD on clear vinyl, this never-before-released album is a must for any 1975 fans. Plus, as an extra little cherry on top,  this also features a version of Chocolate which was featured originally on their third extended play, Music for Cars and nowhere else. Not bad eh? Get down there very early if you want to pick this up though, you know how crazy their fans get!

 

---

 

The Black Keys - Live At The Beachland Tavern

Format: LP, Custom Orange Vinyl

Label: Nonesuch

In celebration of the band’s 20th anniversary, The Black Keys are pully out something truly unique for RSD 2023. They have pressed a previously unreleased full-length live recording of their very first show, in 2002, at Beachland Tavern in Cleveland, Ohio. So yeah, for any fans of the rock group, this is something truly special and an exclusive step back in time to the band's early days.

The release will also be pressed on exclusive tangerine vinyl, making it even more of a swoop. So, if you find yourself in your local record shop queue this year, then this is something unique and cool that you can whip out to spin and impress your pals. 

 

---

 

Ol' Dirty Bastard

Format: 2LP, Picture Disk

Label: Rhino / Elektra

There's a reason that Ol' Dirty Bastards' first record is quite widely regarded as a classic of the genre. Whether it's his unconventional rapping style (that has inspired many a modern rapper to switch things up from the norm), the wild energy that exudes from the record's grooves, or even just the sheer amount of bangers that are on there; its one of the very best of the era. 

This RSD, you've got the chance to get your hands on an exclusive press of ODB’s 1995 debut album Return to the 36 Chambers, with this 2LP picture disc version. Featuring classic tracks like “Shimmy Shimmy Ya”, “Brooklyn Zoo”, Hippa to da Hoppa”.

An essential pickup for any fans of old-school US rap, and one we're sure won't be on shelves for long, this is a truly one-of-a-kind piece that'll look insane as it spins around on the deck; those picture disks are a thing of beauty. 

 

---

 

Pixies - Demos

Format: 10" EP, Custom Purple Vinyl

Label: Cooking Vinyl

Formed in 1986 in Boston, Massachusetts, Pixies are one of the key acts associated with the late 1980s American alternative rock scene and are also considered to be one of the biggest influences on acts such as Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins and early Radiohead.

This record store day, the band are releasing two records, one a live recording of their 2009 live show in Brussels, but to us, this Demo's release takes the proverbial cake. Coming pressed in a Limited Edition 10” EP pressed on purple vinyl with a printed inner sleeve, the songs on this release were recorded by Pixies in March 1987 and were included in what has come to be known by diehard fans as ‘The Purple Tapes’. From this collection of 17 songs, 8 were chosen to comprise Pixies’ first album – ‘Come On Pilgrim’. The 9 remaining songs are featured on this release.

Available for the first time on vinyl, including original demo recordings of ‘Here Comes Your Man’, ‘Broken Face’, ‘Down To The Well’ & ‘Rock A My Soul’, this is a must-grab for fans of the 80s rock icons, and we're sure it won't be on shelves for long come the 22nd. 

 

---

 

Blur - Blur Presents The Special Collectors Edition

Format: 2LP, Custom Coloured Vinyl

Label: Parlophone

Blur are a band that needs no introduction, but if you weren't aware of the release of The Special Collector’s Edition for RSD, pressed on vinyl for the first time ever, then we are happy to introduce you. Originally released in 1994, as a Japan-only CD, The Special Collector’s Edition will be a 2LP pressed on coloured vinyl, featuring a collection of B-sides taken from the of their first three studio albums singles from the albums Leisure, Modern Life Is Rubbish and Parklife.

This is one we are sure will be at the top of many a list come the 22ns, and whilst we are aware people may not be available to go down early, we're afraid this will probably be the only way to secure your own pressing of this. It's what the day is all about after all!

 

---

 

Loyle Carner - Yesterday's Gone

Format: LP, Picture Disk

Label: UMR/EMI

Since the release of this debut record, Yesterday's Gone, in 2017, Loyle Carner has gone from everyone's favourite underground rapper to one of the biggest stars on the UK scene, and for good reason, he is bloody brilliant and an amazing soul to boot. This year for RSD, Loyle is re-releasing the record that started it all on an exclusive picture disk.

Loyle chose photos of him and his beloved poodle Ringo for the front and reverse of the disc: "People say I should have a rottweiler”, says Loyle, “But I like poodles; they are big and shaggy!". Nominated for the 2017 Mercury prize, Yesterday’s Gone is a certified classic of UK hip-hop which continues to win new fans as its remarkable streaming figures prove.

We'd love to say they'll be enough to go around, but there certainly won't be, so make sure that if you want this one to get down early as to not be disappointed. 

 

 

---

---

 

Check out our What's On Guide to discover even more rowdy raves and sweaty gigs taking place over the coming weeks and months. For festivals, lifestyle events and more, head on over to our Things To Do page or be inspired by the event selections on our Inspire Me page.