​If we had to choose…

Crisis mode, picture this: It’s Record Store Day and you’ve lost control. The crowds, the hustle and bustle; impulse buys took over, and now your bag is stuffed with… stuff. Now there’s only room for three exclusives. Quick – what’s making the journey home with you?

Here are our top picks:

1. Time Flies… 1994-2009 – Oasis: With the Live ’25 Tour just around the corner, there’s no better time to dive into Oasis’ greatest hits.
2. Ready, Set, Go! (Live, Riverside Studios 03) LP – David Bowie: Bowie never did anything by halves. This is a glimpse at one of his most ambitious live moments.
3. Demon Days Live From the Apollo Theatre – Gorillaz: With Demon Days turning 20, this captures one of the most influential albums of the 2000s.

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The Record Store Day releases we’re excited for

1. Prince Charming – Adam Ant [Sony CMG, LP]

Adam & The Ants’ Prince Charming was a defining album of the early ’80s, delivering some of their biggest hits. Despite its impact, the album has been out of print for years, making this reissue especially exciting. Pressed on gold vinyl and housed in a gatefold sleeve, this edition brings back the album’s signature theatricality in a way that suits its larger-than-life sound.

2. I Robot (Work in Progress) – The Alan Parsons Project [Cooking Vinyl, LP]

Offering a behind-the-scenes look at a pioneering concept album, this edition of I Robot features early roughs and unreleased mixes of all ten tracks. With track-by-track notes from Alan Parsons himself, it provides insight into the album’s evolution. Pressed on heavyweight blue vinyl and limited to just 4,100 copies worldwide, this one is for the collectors.

3. Moon Safari – Live & Demos – Air [Warner Music France, 12″]

Marking over 25 years since its release, Moon Safari remains a touchstone for downtempo electronic music. This special edition compiles rare recordings, including demo versions and BBC live sessions, offering fans a fresh way to experience Air’s ethereal sound. Pressed on white vinyl, it’s an RSD exclusive worth checking out.

4. “Come Down” – Single – Anderson .Paak [Steel Wool / OBE / Art Club / EMPIRE, 12″]

“Come Down” is one of Anderson .Paak’s biggest tracks, blending funk, hip-hop, and soul with his distinctive energy, so it’s great to see its first-ever standalone 12” release. With new artwork and deep, bass-driven grooves, this exclusive appeals to fans and RSD collectors alike.

5. The Low End Theory – A Tribe Called Quest [Sony Legacy, 2xLP]

Widely regarded as one of A Tribe Called Quest’s best albums, The Low End Theory blended jazz influences with smooth lyricism. Featuring fan favourites like “Check the Rhime” and “Scenario”, this special RSD edition – pressed on green and red splatter vinyl – marks its first coloured vinyl release outside the US.

6. The Eternal Idol – Black Sabbath [BMG, LP]

The Eternal Idol marked a transition for Black Sabbath, introducing Tony Martin on vocals and bringing a darker, more melodic edge to their heavy sound. Despite this, the album has been out of print on vinyl since its original 1987 release. This RSD edition, pressed on limited edition red vinyl, finally brings it back for true metal fans.

7. Mingus at Monterey – Charles Mingus [Candid, 2xLP]

Out of print for over 40 years, Mingus at Monterey captures Charles Mingus’ electrifying 1964 Monterey Jazz Festival performance. Originally released via his own mail-order label, it has remained a sought-after reissue. Now, it’s back on 180g vinyl, fully remastered with a restored gatefold sleeve.

8. Ready, Set, Go! (Live, Riverside Studios 03) LP – David Bowie [Parlophone, 2xLP]

In 2003, David Bowie made history with the largest live satellite music event ever, streaming his Reality album launch to cinemas worldwide. For the first time, this groundbreaking concert was officially available for Record Store Day. The package includes a replica poster of the original event, making it essential for dedicated Bowie fans. A CD release runs in parallel.

9. Danse Macabre: De Luxe Bonus LP – Duran Duran [BMG, LP]

Expanding on the gothic, Halloween-inspired Danse Macabre, this bonus LP compiles seven tracks previously only available in the album’s deluxe box set.

With a mix of reimagined classics, covers, and original instrumentals – including “Masque of the Pink Death” and “New Moon (Dark Phase)” with Andy Taylor – this is its first standalone vinyl release, complete with a spoooooky zoetrope design for fans of Duran Duran’s darker aesthetic.

10. Get To Heaven (The B-Sides) – Everything Everything [Music On Vinyl, 12″]

To mark the 10th anniversary of Get To Heaven, this 12” compiles four previously unreleased B-sides. Everything Everything’s sharp, politically charged lyrics and genre-blurring sound made this 2015 album a standout, and now fans can explore additional material from that era, featuring alternative artwork printed directly onto the B-side.

11. Life’s Too Fast – High Fades [RPM Records, LP]

A debut album that captures the energy of a band on the rise, Life’s Too Fast reflects High Fade’s relentless touring and first full-length release. This RSD edition is a hand-numbered, signed picture disc – more of a collector’s item than an audiophile’s choice, but one that fans may appreciate.

12. Demon Days Live From the Apollo Theatre – Gorillaz [Parlophone, 2xLP]

Marking 20 years of Demon Days, this release brings the first-ever vinyl pressing of Gorillaz’s legendary 2006 performance at Harlem’s Apollo Theatre, a show which featured a full band and special guests. 

Pressed on limited edition red vinyl and housed in a gatefold sleeve, this RSD exclusive includes classics like “Feel Good Inc.”, “DARE”, and “Kids with Guns”.

13. A Funk Odyssey – Jamiroquai [Sony Legacy, 2xLP]

Blending funk, disco, and electronica, A Funk Odyssey saw Jamiroquai at the height of their commercial success, delivering hits like “Little L” and “You Give Me Something”. This special RSD edition comes on Corner of the Earth blue-green splatter vinyl and, even better, it’s a War Child charity release, making it a worthy pick for fans and a good cause.

14. Metal Machine Music – Lou Reed [Sony Legacy, 2xLP]

Few albums have divided opinion quite like Metal Machine Music. Released in 1975, Lou Reed’s feedback-drenched experiment pushed the limits, challenging listeners and critics alike. Now, for its 50th anniversary, this uncompromising work returns on metallic silver vinyl for RSD.

Love it or loathe it, it remains one of Reed’s most talked-about releases – perfect for collectors who appreciate music at its most fearlessly avant-garde.

15. Is Your Love Big Enough? – Lianne La Havas [Warner Records, LP Pink & Blue Vinyl]

It’s been over a decade since Lianne La Havas introduced the world to her soulful debut album. It returned for RSD, pressed on stunning pink and blue galaxy marble vinyl. Featuring favourites like “No Room for Doubt (feat. Willy Mason)”, “Forget”, and “Lost & Found”, each copy of this exclusive is completely unique – just like the music itself.

16. Paul Hardcastle 40th Anniversary Edition – Paul Hardcastle [Chrysalis Records, LP]

Paul Hardcastle’s “19” secured his niche in the electronic music scene way back in 1985. His self-titled album returned for RSD, newly remastered for its 40th anniversary. Featuring “Just For Money” and “Rainforest”, its synth-heavy, jazz-funk sound – and message – remain as relevant as ever, pressed on transparent red vinyl for RSD 2025.

17. Sophie Ellis Bextor’s Kitchen Disco (Live at The London Palladium) – Sophie Ellis-Bextor [Cooking Vinyl, 2xLP]

At the time, it seemed like very few positives would come out of the lockdowns, but Sophie Ellis-Bextor’s Kitchen Disco proved an exception. Pressed on gold vinyl and housed in a gatefold sleeve, this RSD exclusive is individually numbered and strictly limited to just 2,000 copies.

Featuring “Murder on the Dancefloor” – certified anthem – and more, the 2022 live recording from the London Palladium captures that infectious feel-good energy.

18. Time Flies… 1994-2009 – Oasis [Big Brother Recordings, LP]

Ahead of their Live ’25 gigs this summer, what better way to hop on board the hype train? Time Flies… 1994-2009 is back for the first time since 2010 and is limited to 15,000 numbered copies worldwide. Spanning every single from their 15-year reign, this 4LP set comes on coloured vinyl – very popular for fans, old and new.

19. Talking Heads – Live on Tour ’78 [Rhino, 2xLP]

Talking Heads in 1978 – raw, unpredictable, and on the rise. Live On Tour ’78 captures the band mid-breakthrough, recorded during the More Songs About Buildings and Food tour and originally pressed as a promo LP for radio stations. Until this year, it never had an official release.

Fully remastered from the original analogue tapes and featuring a previously unheard track, this 2LP set cut at 45rpm finally gives fans the chance to own a key piece of Talking Heads’ history.

20. Golden – The Wombles [Dramatico, LP]

Because not every record has to be serious. It’s the Wombles. Enough said.

FAQs

What day is National Record Store Day?

National Record Store Day 2025 was on Saturday, 12th April. As an annual event, the exact date changes each year, but it’s always held on a Saturday. Scheduling it for the weekend means more music fans can get out there, support independent record stores, and snap up exclusive vinyl releases.

Does the UK have Record Store Day?

The UK does have Record Store Day, celebrated alongside the global event in April. Over 230 independent record stores across the UK participated this year, offering limited-edition vinyl and special in-store experiences. It’s a key date for music lovers and collectors across the country.

What’s so special about Record Store Day?

Record Store Day is special because it keeps vinyl culture alive. Unlike cassettes, vinyl endures thanks to its passionate fanbase. Without their support, it simply wouldn’t exist. Audiophiles and collectors sustain the format, independent record stores, and the artists who keep the industry alive.

Final thoughts

Record Store Day is a tribute to music’s past, present, and future, championing a format that is, remarkably, still gathering devotees despite the rise of more convenient technology. We’ve covered a fair bit about vinyl now. Speaking of which, if you’ve ever wondered whether or not vinyl sounds better than digital, our rundown examines the difference.

Of course, great sound starts with the right setup. Whether you’ve picked up an exclusive or a bargain, getting your turntable sorted is key. Our guide on how to play vinyl records covers everything from setup to maintenance.

And as your collection grows, proper storage is worth thinking about. Our picks for the best vinyl record storage will help keep everything safe, organised, and in top shape.