Welcome back to Top 20 Tuesday, where we're discussing the annual Record Store Day list and some great features you should have on your list in April! This seems to be the first "normal" RSD since Black Friday in 2019, which seems so long ago. Instead of two release days, the organization has announced on premiere day in April and a backup day for any delays caused by the global supply chain shortage designated in July.
There are lots of great releases to get to, so we're not going to waste any time! Here are our most-sought-after releases, in no particular order:
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| All images courtesy of RSD website |
Donald Glover has been busy giving his all to his absolutely incredible FX show, Atlanta, and music has been on the back burner because of this. While we wait for Gambino to make his return, you can pick up the first official pressing of his mixtape, Kauai, which is sure to not run out at 18,000 copies distributed across the nation.
La Luz released an astonishing self-titled album last year, and for RSD they're giving us the instrumentals for those songs. Which might seem like an odd choice, because at least three songs on the record are already instrumentals... Regardless, here's some great shoe gaze to zone out to.
The darling soul singer is rereleasing her sophomore album, which is her best work by far. Radiohead guitar riffs meeting her passionate voice. There are some absolute shredders on this album, which doesn't sound like there should be, but trust me.
5. Future - DS2:
Future was most recently identified as the executive producer for Kanye West's upcoming Donda 2 (which supposedly releases tonight), but in 2015 he released Dirty Sprite 2 which brought him into the mainstream. This is a long-awaited repress and gives fans a chance to collect this must-have.
Clocking in at 27 songs long, this is one of the earliest recordings of a band in the throes of recording their debut album, including never before released cuts that didn't make the album.
This is Elizabeth Fraser of the Cocteau Twin's first release of music since 2008(!) alongside Damon Reece of Echo & the Bunnymen fame. Unsure when or if this music will be available on streaming services, but we will keep you updated here.
This might not be at the top of your list, but that doesn't mean it won't be sought after. Expect some longer lines on RSD due to droves of devoted Swifties seeking to support their beloved auteur. However, chances are, if you already have folklore, you've heard "the lakes". Taylor is also the ambassador for this year's RSD, and while a release was inevitable, maybe this one wasn't necessary.
Film fans always have something to look forward to on RSD -- and this year, Lynchians can pick up the soundtrack to the 1986 classic, scored by Twin Peaks composer and longtime David Lynch-collaborator, Angelo Badalamenti. Keep that cover away from your children, maybe.
Vinyl Me, Please subscribers have had a couple chances to purchase this hard-to-find album by a classic hip-hop duo consisting of Dan the Automator and Prince Paul. Now, people not wanting to get their wallets bled dry can avoid the mess of VMP and fight each other for one of 2500 copies in April!
Blake has been putting out some incredible music, including collaborations, but in 2020 during the initial lockdown, he gave those stuck at home a treat in the form of 5 cover songs. On RSD, fans can finally own his gorgeous cover of Frank Ocean's "Godspeed" (which he played keys on originally) on vinyl.
A Miles Davis special release is pretty much a given for each Record Store Day list, but an Art Blakey release is a rare occasion worth celebrating. This rerelease includes the original liner album notes from the NYC sessions.
Not one but two Bowie releases on RSD? Christmas came early every year for Ziggy fans. Although, the Toy EP cover is only slightly terrifying.
After a limited repress in 2018 and then again in 2021, fans of the late rapper can look forward to what is arguably his best (and definitely my favorite) album on vinyl. And it couldn't come soon enough: resale prices are absolutely insane. Hopefully 10,000 copies drives scalpers away.
It might be a good idea to snag this up if you're a Spotify subscriber, as Joni's material has been wiped from the platform. Here, she's presenting archived outtakes from the Blue sessions.
Longtime hip-hop producer, the Alchemist, has been on an incredible run through the late 2010s and into the 2020s, most recently his collab album with Curren$y. On RSD, you can pick up an album entirely produced by Uncle Al, featuring one of the best to ever do it.
It's hard to leave out a Kentucky native's release, but My Morning Jack and specifically Jim James on this EP are well deserving of inclusion. This is a collection of live versions from their latest, eponymous album released in Fall of 2021.
Although initially promised for RSD Black Friday 2021, this was delayed due to global supply chain issues. It is unsure if this is simply a reissue of the basic LP with exclusive cover art, or whether it will feature any of the bonus tracks released following Sin Miedo's debut.
Last year, Erika de Casier gave us her debut that promised a return to neo-soul and showed modern R&B stars how to do so. This release reimagines her original tracks into house and reggaeton cuts with appearances from the likes of Mura Masa.
We couldn't pass this up and neither should you. It's the best album of the century so far and promises to stand the test of time. No, it's not To Pimp A Butterfly, you fool. It's Peppa!
How early are you lining up for RSD? Let us know in the comments below!
- Ritter
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