Best Picks For Record Store Day 2024

4/20/24 Will Be A Vinyl Treasure Hunt for Music Enthusiasts

Record Store Day, the annual celebration of independent record stores and vinyl culture, is set to take place on April 20, 2024. Since its inception in 2007, Record Store Day has grown into a global phenomenon, bringing together musicians, fans, and record stores for a day of exclusive releases, live performances, and community engagement.

The Origins of Record Store Day

The idea for Record Store Day was conceived by Chris Brown, a record store owner in Maine, and Michael Kurtz, a record industry executive. Inspired by the success of Free Comic Book Day, they envisioned a similar event to celebrate independent record stores and the unique experience of buying records in physical stores. With support from the Coalition of Independent Music Stores (CIMS) and the Alliance of Independent Media Stores (AIMS), the first Record Store Day was launched on April 19, 2008.

Since its inception, Record Store Day has evolved into a global celebration, with thousands of independent record stores participating in countries around the world. Each year, the event features exclusive vinyl and CD releases, live performances, and special events held in participating stores.

A Treasure Trove of Exclusive Releases

Rabid music fans regularly wait in long lines hours before the doors open outside of their favorite indie stores in hopes of landing a copy of each album, CD, or even cassette tape on their list.

Many travel to multiple stores on the big day hoping to find that hidden gem from their list that fans at another location may have simply overlooked or not been hip to soon enough.

Each iteration of RSD always has a few releases that EVERYONE is after. Whether it be the super limited “RSD Limited Run / Regional Focus” releases which are limited in some cases to only 100 copies worldwide, “RSD Exclusives” that will only be released once on that day in that pressing, or the “RSD First” releases that many times get repressed for mass consumption at a later date, each fan has their own personal must have gem they hope to find on what is essentially a musical treasure hunt.

2023's RSD must-have title was Taylor Swift’s “folklore: the long pond studio sessions”. The RSD exclusive release sent “Swifties” into a frenzy trying to find their copy of the double LP that was limited to 75,000 copies worldwide. Despite being one of the most highly-pressed RSD releases ever, there were not nearly enough copies to satisfy demand. The lack of big box store access to the title made the indie store exclusive aspect of that release the most collectible Taylor Swift release, maybe ever.

Desperate fans who struck out on there in-person searches, turned immediately to the secondary market, many times paying hundreds of dollars over retail on eBay and other platforms to own their copy of the hottest title on “The List”.

Every RSD List features its fair share of picture discs and box sets, the latter of which, many times consist of live concert recordings from artists including The Doors, The Grateful Dead, Jerry Garcia, and Dave Matthews. These box sets are always highly coveted by fans as well.

Predicting which titles will be “the” titles from the next List is always a crapshoot from year to year. While Swift was an easy call last April, the hottest titles aren't always as obvious.

Not every Record Store Day strikes the fancy of every fan, but for many, it’s like a music fan’s Christmas that comes twice per year. It’s not unusual to see fans, especially those near the front of the line as doors at their favorite indie store open, walking to the register with literal arms-full of vinyl stacks.

This upcoming list for 4/20/2024 features one of the strongest lineups in recent memory in terms of having something for everyone.

Must Have Titles For RSD 2024

Record Store Day 2024 promises to be a huge day for collectors with a diverse lineup of exclusive releases that cater to music enthusiasts of all tastes. From limited edition reissues to previously unreleased material, there's something for everyone on this year's Record Store Day list.

Some of the most anticipated releases include:

• Dolores O'Riordan – Are You Listening? - Limited to only 600 copies worldwide.

Dolores O'Riordan’s 2007 debut solo album, Are You Listening? is being released for the first time on vinyl, exclusively for Record Store Day 2024 on limited edition white vinyl.

• Schoolly D - Saturday Night: The Album - Limited to 1000 copies worldwide.

The O-est of Gs, Schoolly D originally released his second full-length, Saturday Night: The Album in 1986, on his own imprint. Schoolly – and this release – are considered by many to be the genesis of gangster rap and were highly influential to all who followed. This album is a perfect blend of raw and funky from the King of Philly – finally with a vinyl reissue in a lemon pepper colored vinyl pressing just for Record Store Day 2024. 

• Various Artists - Love, LA – limited to 1000 copies worldwide.

Love, LA is a compilation featuring artists with a close connection to Los Angeles, performing some of their favorite songs as duets. Lovingly curated and produced by Paige Stark of Tashaki Miyaki and Rick Ross of Delicious Vinyl, the compilation showcases unique takes on classics from artists like R.E.M., Velvet Underground, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and more.

The contributions to the album include a variety of talents, from actor and comedian Marc Maron to My Morning Jacket’s Jim James, from native Angeleno mainstays to English singer/songwriter Robyn Hitchcock. Proceeds from the release will benefit the Fernando Pullum Community Arts Center, who provides performing arts instruction to youth in South Central Los Angeles. This one-of-a-kind release will be pressed on gold color vinyl, featuring original artwork from Julia Wick.

• The Beatles Limited Edition RSD3 Turntable – limited to 2300 pieces.

The Beatles limited edition RSD3 turntable, featuring a Beatles-branded dustcover and turntable facing. Each turntable is Bluetooth-enabled and housed in a Beatles' box that includes 3" records of four songs they performed 60 years ago on the Ed Sullivan Show: "I Want To Hold Your Hand," "Til There Was You," "She Loves You," and "I Saw Her Standing There." Each record is housed in an outer box, with a picture sleeve and poster. The package also includes a Beatles-branded carrying case, which holds up to ten 3” records.

• Cheech and Chong's - Up In Smoke – limited to 5000 copies worldwide.

What would a record sdtore day on 4/20 be without Cheech and Chong's iconic Up In Smoke on smoky green vinyl? Thankfully with this release, we don't have to wonder.

• DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE - Live At The Showbox - limited to 2500 copies worldwide.

Live At The Showbox is a 17-track collection of songs recorded over a three-night stand at the Showbox in the band's hometown of Seattle, on February 24-26, 2020, right before the COVID pandemic descended upon the world. These songs were originally released on Bandcamp for 24 hours in May 2021 – this will be their first physical release on pink marble vinyl.

• GARBAGE - Lie To Me - limited to 2500 copies worldwide.

Four brand new unreleased tracks from the highly influential Alternative Rock band Garbage comes as an exclusive for Record Store Day 2024 on limited transparent lime-colored vinyl. The EP features a stunning cover of This Mortal Coil’s ‘Song To The Siren’ and a brand new remix of their classic hit “Bad Boyfriend” featuring Dave Grohl, as well as two more unheard tracks.’

• G.B.I. (GROHL, BENANTE, IAN) - The Regulator - limited to 3000 copies worldwide.

Anthrax were recording our new album at 606 and the Foos were there rehearsing at the same time. Dave had popped into the studio to hang and listen to what we were doing and we’d gone over to hear the Foo’s rehearse. I texted Dave the next morning and said: "Hey! Good to see ya the other day. Are you rehearsing today? I’ll be there doing guitars. Wanna record a Minor Threat song? Bad Brains?” He replied immediately with the Spotify link for The Regulator. I said I’d be there at 12:30pm and he said, “See you at 1.” It was that simple. We recorded at 606. Charlie and I asked Dave if he’d play drums and sing as well, he was in. Charlie plays bass and I’m on guitar. GBI.

The spark to do this was to raise money for HR’s healthcare. All the proceeds will be donated to him for that. And what better day to do it than Record Store Day? It helps Indie stores as well, win/win. We ripped Regulator live in two takes, the way it should be! It was so much fun to get to play with Dave on drums and to hear his voice with my guitar! We’re all such huge Bad Brains fans and have asked WWBBD? (What would Bad Brains do?) many times.

• CHRIS ISAAK - Beyond The Sun (The Complete Collection) - limited to 2000 copies worldwide.

Legendary rocker and Sun Records superfan Chris Isaak pays tribute to the label he loves on Beyond The Sun. Chris revisits the music that inspired him to become a musician in the room where it happened, with these tracks recorded live in Sun Studio in Memphis. Hear him rock on Carl Perkins’ “Dixie Fried,” roll on Johnny Cash’s “I Walk the Line,” and emulate the King on Elvis Presley’s “Can’t Help Falling In Love,” among many others.

The Complete Collection includes an expanded tracklist featuring songs previously unavailable in the United States, such as Chris’ version of Jerry Lee Lewis’ “Bonnie B,” and the Roy Orbison classic, “Oh, Pretty Woman,” and more. Exclusive to Record Store Day, this 2-LP set is pressed on translucent ruby vinyl in a gatefold jacket with printed sleeves and insert with drawings by Chris Isaak.

• MOTLEY CRUE - Supersonic and Demonic Relics - picture disc - limited to 2500 copies worldwide

Tracklist

SIDE SUPER

1. Teaser 2. Primal Scream 3. Sinners & Saints 4. Monsterous 5. Say Yeah

SIDE SONIC

6. Planet Boom 7. Bittersuite 8. Father

SIDE DEMONIC

9. Anarchy In The U.K. 10. So Good, So Bad 11. Rock ‘N’ Roll Junkie

SIDE RELICS

12. Angela 13. Mood Ring 14. Dr. Feelgood (Live)

• WILLIE NELSON & VARIOUS ARTISTS - Long Story Short: Willie Nelson 90 -- Live At The Hollywood Bowl Volume II

In April 2023, scores of artists spanning genres and generations came together with Willie Nelson to celebrate the legend's 90th birthday for a once-in-a-lifetime event at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles. This double LP on black vinyl, released for Record Store Day 2024, is the second volume of highlights from these two legendary shows. Artists performing songs from every era of his unparalleled seven-decade career include Willie plus The Avett Brothers, Edie Brickell, Rosanne Cash, Sheryl Crow, Rodney Crowell, Emmylou Harris, Warren Haynes, Daniel Lanois, Lyle Lovett, Shooter Jennings, Jack Johnson, Jamey Johnson, Booker T. Jones, Kris Kristofferson, Lukas Nelson, Particle Kid, Orville Peck, Margo Price, Nathanial Rateliff, Keith Richards, Charlie Sexton, Snoop Dogg, George Strait, Billy Strings and Dwight Yoakam.

• PARAMORE - Re: This Is Why (Remix + Standard)

After the global success of the album This Is Why, Paramore released a remix album titled Re: This Is Why. Never-before released on a physical format, the album has contributions by indie darlings Bartees Strange, Claud and Wet Leg, Paramore touring partners Foals, The Linda Lindas and Remi Wolf, jazz geniuses DOMi & JD Beck, and alternative electronic wizards Panda Bear, Romy and Zane Lowe. The album also includes a brand new production of “Sanity” by the incredible Jack Antonoff.

This package contains both the original This Is Why album, and Re: This Is Why and celebrates Paramore serving as Record Store Day 2024 Ambassadors.

• PARAMORE - Re: This is Why

After the global success of the album This Is Why, Paramore released a remix album titled Re: This Is Why. Never-before released on a physical format, the album has contributions by indie darlings Bartees Strange, Claud and Wet Leg, Paramore touring partners Foals, The Linda Lindas and Remi Wolf, jazz geniuses DOMi & JD Beck, and alternative electronic wizards Panda Bear, Romy and Zane Lowe. The album also includes a brand new production of “Sanity” by the incredible Jack Antonoff.

• PEARL JAM - Dark Matter

Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame inductees Pearl Jam return with an exclusive yellow and black ghostly Dark Matter LP colorway for Record Store Day 2024. The band’s 12th studio albumwas produced by Grammy® Award Winning producer Andrew Watt.

• TESLA - Real 2 Reel - limited to 1500 copies worldwide.

For the first time ever on vinyl, TESLA's hugely popular album Real 2 Reel. Recorded using only analogue equipment with a live-in-the-studio setting. The release has been fully remastered at Sterling Sound like the original, but specifically for vinyl. It’s released for Record Store Day on heavy 180g vinyl and housed in a dual gatefold package. The band will be celebrating this release with a tour supporting the tracks on the album.

Tracklist:

Space Truckin|Walk Away|Hand Me Down World|Bad Reputation|Thank You|I've Got a Feeling|Day of the Eagle|Ball of Confusion|Rock Bottom|Stealin'|Bell Bottom Blues|Honky Tonk Woman|Dear Mr.Fantasy 

• THE 1975 - The 1975 Live at Gorilla

On February 1, 2023, The 1975 played their self-titled debut album in full for the first time since its release in 2013. The album's success set the band on a path toward a solid run of international chart-topping, awards and sold-out arena tours across their subsequent releases. Now available on vinyl, this 2 LP set is pressed on white vinyl with brand-new artwork for Record Store Day.

• THE HIVES - Black and White Album

Swedish indie rockers the Hives released their fourth studio album, The Black and White Album in October 2007 with the lead single, “Tick Tick Boom.” Now available on vinyl for the first time since its release, this 2 LP set is pressed on black and white vinyl for Record Store Day with a double-sided poster included.

• NOAH KAHAN - I Was/I Am

Critically acclaimed Vermont singer/songwriter Noah Kahan’s 2021 sophomore album, now on Republic Records. Noah has quietly emerged as a homegrown phenomenon with a combination of vivid and powerful songwriting. Now on limited-edition blue vinyl for Record Store Day 2024.

• OLIVIA RODRIGO & NOAH KAHAN

Olivia Rodrigo "Stick Season"/Noah Kahan "Lacy" - FROM THE BBC RADIO 1 LIVE LOUNGE

Recorded live from the BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge: Olivia Rodrigo covers Noah Kahan’s breakout hit “Stick Season”, while Kahan delivers his stunning rendition of “Lacy” from Rodrigo’s sophomore album GUTS. Available on 7” colored vinyl for Record Store Day. 

Side A: Olivia Rodrigo 'Stick Season' (cover)Side B: Noah Kahan 'Lacy' (cover)

• SCREAMING TREES - Strange Things Happening - The Ellensburg Demos 1986-88

Ellensburg, Washington is known for the world’s 3rd largest three-day rodeo, 90’s NFL legends Brian Habib and Drew Bledsoe and as the hometown of seminal Northwest band Screaming Trees. In the late 80’s, Ellensburg residents were often confronted with the strangely primitive sounds of the band emanating from their headquarters in the back room of the Conner family’s Main Street store, New World Video. Here was the scene of creation of songs from the band’s early Velvetone and SST albums. During this prolific time, much of the band’s music never made it beyond their own ears but was fortunately captured on Gary Lee Conner’s 4 track cassette recorder. Those cassettes have survived, intact, down to this day and have now made their way to this recording. So now, transport yourself back to New World Video, in late 80’s Ellensburg, and hear the weird things happening.

• NEIL YOUNG WITH CRAZY HORSE - Fuckin' Up

From Neil’s sleeve notes: “Why do these old songs live so vividly now? They do to me.”Neil Young with Crazy Horse in all their “Ragged Glory”.Neil & The Horse have played together for over 50 years and the performances of these songs is a true highlight of that long relationship.Nine songs on two LPs, with the original song titles replaced with selected lyrics. (“Farmer John”, being a cover, retains its original title.)The album was recorded in 2023, with this line-up:Billy Talbot – Bass, vocalRalph Molina – Drums, vocalMicah Nelson – Guitar, vocal, pianoNils Lofgren – Guitar, vocal, pianoNeil Young – Guitar, vocal, harmonicaNeil: “In the spirit it’s offered…made this for the Horse lovers. I can’t stop it. The horse is runnin’. What a ride we have. I don’t want to mess with the vibe. I am so happy to have this to share.”Pressed for Record Store Day on clear vinyl.

These are just a few highlights from the extensive list of releases planned for Record Store Day 2024. With hundreds of exclusive releases spanning various genres, there's sure to be something to pique the interest of every music fan.

A Celebration of Vinyl Culture

Record Store Day is not just about exclusive releases; it's also a celebration of vinyl culture and the enduring appeal of physical music formats. For many music enthusiasts, Record Store Day is a chance to connect with fellow fans, support local record stores, and indulge in the thrill of the hunt for rare and collectible records.

Whether you're a seasoned collector or a casual music fan, Record Store Day offers a unique opportunity to experience the magic of vinyl records and celebrate the vibrant culture of independent record stores. So mark your calendars, make your wish list, and get ready to join the festivities on April 20, 2024, at your favorite record store.

So mark your calendars for April 20, 2024, and join music lovers around the world in celebrating Record Store Day. Whether you're hunting for rare gems, discovering new favorites, or simply soaking in the atmosphere of your favorite indie store, Record Store Day is a celebration not to be missed. Let the countdown begin!

The LIST

Search all RSD indie record stores here.

*all album art from www.recordstoreday.com