Releases Not To Miss - This Record Store Day

Record Store Day - another year, and another opportunity to dig deep into your pockets to support your local independent retailer, 21st April.

Record Store Day is a staple for any long-time music fan, yes, even if you do frequent your local joint most weekends. While there are the usual complaints about heaving uninterested crowds only attending for the sake of it, ballooning prices, and rip-off memorabilia ending up on eBay, the spirit around Record Store Day is something to be cherished and celebrated. There is a host of re-releases, limited edition sleeves and juicy singles which are set to disappear off the shelves within seconds, so it’s best to be prepared. Here’s our round-up of the best to look out for this Saturday.

Bob Dylan - 'Masters of War'

Taken from his 1963 album Freewheelin’ with masterful rework by French DJ The Avener, 'Masters of War' will be available on 7” vinyl as a Record Store Day exclusive.

AC/DC - Back In Black

Thanks to Legacy / Sony Music, you can get your hands on a cassette version of AC/DC’s second best-selling album Back in Black. It’s also the first album from notorious rockers with frontman Brian Johnson, which is bound to strike a chord with dedicated fans.

David Bowie - 'Let's Dance'

There’s a couple of exclusive Bowie releases to get your hands on this year, including a 12” ‘Let’s Dance’ single. The real cracker, however, is the first ever commercial release of a 1977 compilation Now. It’s on a 12” white single vinyl, with inner sleeve design featuring images from Berlin in the 70s.

Fleetwood Mac - Tango In The Night

An album of alternate takes from the 2017 deluxe edition of Tango In The Night will be released on vinyl for the very first time. The 12” black vinyl will include early versions and demos of ‘Tango In The Night’ and ‘Seven Wonders’, having previously only been available on CD.

Sigrid - Don't Kill My Vibe

Fresh-faced Norwegian pop sensation Sigrid will make der debut EP Don’t Kill My Vibe available on a classic heavyweight red vinyl (with a download card!). This is a real treat for pop fans of young and old.

Linkin Park - One More Light Live

Linkin Park’s live album will be released for the first time on vinyl by Warner Bros. Hidden away in an indulgent black and gold sleeve, the 12” LP is much awaited by nostalgic fans hoping to prolong Chester Bennington’s legacy.

Arcade Fire - Debut EP

A decadent blue and gold, individually numbered, 12” of Arcade Fire’s debut EP will be available for the very first time, courtesy of Legacy / Sony Music. Originally released in 2003 as a CD demo available at live gigs, expect this number to fly off the shelves.

The Police - 'Roxanne'

On the 21st April, the ‘Roxanne’ drinking game is levelling up. UMC are reissuing the second Police single, first released in ’78 and again in ’79 where it peaked at number 12 in the UK Singles Chart. The 7” vinyl will sit inside a bespoke gatefold sleeve adorned with the original UK red telephone image.

Ramones - Leave Home

Early mixes for the Ramones second album Leave Home, recorded on tape in ’76 will now appear for the first time ever on vinyl. Previously only available on CD for the 40th deluxe album edition, the LP will be sold in limited numbers this Record Store Day.

Johnny Cash - At Folsom Prison

This Saturday, one of Johnny Cash’s most celebrated albums get the 50th anniversary treatment with a side of Record Store Day exclusivity. The 1968 release At Folsom Prison solidified Cash’s legend as a rebel and an outlaw, and is deservedly distinguished in a five-LP set featuring performances to the jail audience, turns by June Carter, Carl Perkin and the Statler Brothers. To top it all off, it even features some previously unreleased audio of Cash and his friends rehearsing in Sacramento the night before the performance.