On April 12th we celebrate another RSD

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Record Store Day 2025 is happening this Saturday, April 12th.  This week, leading into the event, I am organizing my lists, my wants and my needs for this special day.  There are 371 drops available. This is officially my 12^th year participating and Nashville is my 6^th city (4^th state) I have shopped in.  The Record Store Day “Ambassador” for ’25 is Post Malone, and he shared the following in a press release: 

“What an honor, I can’t believe I was chosen to be Record Store Day’s Ambassador for 2025. Record Store Day is so important, and I really hope to do my part to keep it alive. We love hitting local shops when we’re on the road, seeing all the crazy artwork, the whole energy in a record store is just super inspiring. I feel at home. It’s really an unexplainable feeling to hit up a shop and dig through crates, just see what grabs your eye. You can be looking for something super specific and end up finding something totally different. It’s the best. Keep supporting y’all and let’s keep records and these local shops going strong. Happy Record Store Day everybody!” 

I have a few “must haves” that I am seeking out this year. 

First, a few key things to remember: 

There are three categories of Record Store Day Titles: 

 
EXCLUSIVES: These titles are physically released only at indie record stores. 
RSD FIRST: These titles are found first at indie record stores but may be released to other retailers or webstores at some point in the future. 
SMALL RUN/REGIONAL TITLES: These titles are either regionally based and sold at specific stores, or are press runs under 1000, which means they may be much more difficult to find at record stores around the country. 

Many of these RSD titles are in “limited” variety, so that usually means waking up early to secure your place in line. I usually tend to get up around 6am to be in line be 7am depending on the store and their hours.  I strongly encourage contacting your local record store, or visiting their social media page or website, to see if they offer any guidance on how the queue will be operated. Most stores opt for a “first come, first served” basis and only allow a few people in the building at a time to cut down on the wildness of 1980’s Black Friday’s mayhem style. The 18th annual Record Store Day is bringing more than 370 special vinyl LP releases to store shelves, featuring hits from Taylor Swift, Gorillaz, John Legend and other prominent artists from the past century of music. 

Record Store Day is a celebration of independent record stores and was created as such to promote shopping small.  You will, in most cases, be limited to buying one copy of a pressing.  This is to prevent those assholes who are trying to grab as much as they can in order to “scalp” records and drive up prices.  Bottom line is do not be a jerk.  Do not push or shove and don’t reach over someone’s shoulder without asking first.   Everything you were taught in kindergarten should apply to Record Store Day. 

Check out some of my past articles in order to get a better understanding of how much this day means to not only myself, but to the industry.  Now on to the good stuff.  Here is a list of some of the cool things that are coming out that day and a list of some of the items I am hunting down. 

Post Malone – A Tribute to Nirvana 

Quantity: 17,000 

https://recordstoreday.com/SpecialRelease/18859

The best show during “the lockdown” is finally here.  The recording from April 2020 is being released on vinyl for the first time, with proceeds benefiting MusiCares’ Addiction Recovery/Mental Health division.  This is on the top of my list.  I remember watching this online during COVID and smiling from ear to ear as he and Tavis Barker ripped through a tremendous virtual concert. The 14-track record not only features Barker on drums, bassist Brian Lee, and guitarist Nick Mac.  Included on the track list are covers of Nirvana’s “Come as You Are,” “Lounge Act,” “On a Plane” and “Heart-Shaped Box,” among others. 

The Cure – The Head on the Door 

Quantity: 8250 

https://recordstoreday.com/SpecialRelease/18744

I’d be remised if I wasn’t seeking something by The Cure.  Their latest album, Songs From A Lost World, was just brilliant.  For the first time on picture disc and the first official pressing since a 2016 reissue, The Cure’s RSD release, The Head on the Door is getting a crisp reissue. The band’s 1985 LP, produced by frontman Robert Smith and Dave Allen, will be released by Rhino for this exclusive RSD pressing. The LP, which was produced at Abbey Road Studios in London, features tracks like “The Blood,” “Close To Me,” and “A Night Like This.”  

Wu Tang and Mathematics 
“Black Samson, The Bastard Swordsman: Wu-Tang, The Saga Continues Collection“ 

https://recordstoreday.com/SpecialRelease/18874 

Quantity: 5000 
Wu Tang always does things a little different and they are releasing their first new album in years.  It  will be made available only at record stores on Record Store Day. They are using a new technique that makes the album artwork unique in some way so that no two copies will be the same. Produced by Mathematics, the collection of songs features fellow members of the iconic Wu-Tang Clan as well as other artists. This 2-LP set is an authenticated and numbered limited edition Mixprint release. Every album jacket features unique “1 of 1” cover art, making each design truly distinct and highly collectible – a first in the vinyl record industry. These covers are created through a harmonious blend of hand-crafted artistry, proprietary technology (without the use of A.I.) and advanced printing techniques. 

Oasis 
“Time Flies…1994 – 2009” 

https://recordstoreday.com/SpecialRelease/18520

15,000 copies worldwide 
Released ahead of the start of Oasis Live ’25, “Time Flies” returns for the first time on vinyl since it was first pressed in 2010. Numbered and limited to 15,000 copies worldwide, the set includes four color LPs and features the band’s entire singles collection.  . Former Record Store Day ambassador, Noel Gallagher, said: “Record shops were really important when I was growing up. It’s something that’s in my DNA. I think if we can keep record shops open for as long as possible, we owe it to the young people of this country.” Finally, there’s something we can all agree on and not start a fight or break up forever.

Charli XCX 
“Number 1 Angel” 

https://recordstoreday.com/SpecialRelease/18819

10,000 copies U.S. (22,000 globally) 
This mixtape’s 10 tracks were recorded over a month at XCX’s L.A. residence and in the U.K., alongside A.G. Cook, with further production from SOPHIE, Easy FX (A.G. Cook + EASYFUN), John Hill, Life Sim and Danny L Harle. For the first time ever, Charli is releasing “Number 1 Angel” as a solo album, on candy-colored vinyl. (It was previously released as part of a 2-LP release with Pop 2, but this breakout edition also has a new cover exclusive for RSD.) 

Charli XCX 
“Guess featuring Billie Eilish” 

https://recordstoreday.com/SpecialRelease/18818

10,000 copies (10,500 worldwide) 
Still more Charli, in the form of a single. As far as physical media goes, this Charli/Billie version of “Guess” was only previously available on the 3-LP release of “Brat” that came out exclusively on her webstore. 

I wish you the very best of luck this Saturday! For us audiophiles and vinyl junkies this is our ultimate Easter Egg Hunt. Please continue to support these locally owned and operated shops and alway shop small!

HeRE iS tHe ComPlEtE lIsT oF EveRYthinG AvaiLAblE oN rSd 2o25