Record Store Day is nigh once again. And you know what that means: Another crapload of vintage reissues, archival live albums, one-off singles and coloured-vinyl cash-grabs for the discerning (and, in many cases, undiscerning) music lover. But let’s not forget: There are also plenty of artists who are just dropping new albums as if it were any other week. To me, that makes about as much sense as debuting your movie on Oscar night, but hey, what do I know? Well, I know that this list includes RSD and regular releases, so you can have the best of both worlds. You’re welcome.
Nick Lowe
(Not) Indoor Safari Vol. 1
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “(Not) Indoor Safari Vol. 1 finds Nick Lowe joined by Los Straitjackets for their first live album on vinyl in over a decade. Pressed on classic black vinyl and limited to 3,000 copies worldwide, the album features a career-spanning set of Nick’s celebrated staples to tunes from his newest studio album Indoor Safari. Recorded across a series of shows from their 2024 tour, you’ll hear brand new versions of all-time Lowes such as (What’s So Funny ‘Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding and When I Write the Book, as well as the acclaimed compositions from his later period, including Lately I’ve Let Things Slide and Blue on Blue. After spinning this platter, you’ll see why people say that Lowe and Los Straitjackets are a match made in heaven.”
Mamalarky
Hex Key
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “In making their third record, Hex Key, Mamalarky spent entire seasons hunched over guitars and obscure synthesizers, their long hair sweeping over strings or covering concentrated eyes. The band recorded takes in between the sounds of passing ice cream trucks and yowling stray cats in their L.A. home studio, a tight but prolific living room. Hex Key is a document of perseverance, of going for the gold while somehow remaining totally aware of one’s own vulnerabilities. These effervescent, swirling songs chronicle vivid desires crashing against real-life limitations but finding a way to keep burning anyway. That tension between anguish and resilience, between performed aloofness and brutal honesty, drives the music, imbues it with a compelling intensity.”
The Mars Volta
Lucro Sucio; Los Ojos Del Vacio
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “The Mars Volta’s ninth studio album represents a significant milestone for the band, who have been continually reinventing themselves for more than 20 years. With Lucro Sucio; Los Ojos Del Vacio, they deliver an album that celebrates their roots, allowing them to reconnect with their origins. Fans are invited to embark on a musical journey.”
The Meters
Live At Great American Music Hall, San Francisco
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Live At Great American Music Hall, San Francisco is the classic double live album that The Meters always deserved but have never had. Until now. Recorded in 1975 when the classic lineup of Art Neville, Leo Nocentelli, George Porter Jr., Joseph “Zigaboo” Modeliste and new arrival Cyril Neville were at the peak of their powers, the live set draws heavily on the band’s then-most recent album Rejuvenation and previews its successor, Fire On The Bayou — commonly regarded by fans and critics alike as The Meters’ two best albums. But Live At Great American Music Hall, San Francisco digs in even deeper, extending the jams close to 20 minutes with the band absolutely burning across this nine-song set. Several selections from this show appeared on a mysterious, unauthorized and highly coveted 1981 bootleg LP titled The Meters At Rozy’s. Live At Great American Music Hall, San Francisco presents the full set, properly sequenced and mastered, for its first official release.”
OK Go
And The Adjacent Possible
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “I couldn’t be more happy with these songs,” shares Damian Kulash, frontman of Grammy-winning rock band OK Go. “It feels almost like a summary of the many phases we’ve gone through — the bands we’ve been. As a whole, it’s a live-r, more band-sounding record than our last, but the overall feeling is that it’s just us, comfortable in our skin at this point. I guess that comes from feeling like, ‘We don’t have to plant a flag — our flag is planted.’ ” OK Go’s last record Hungry Ghosts saw the band tour for over five years around the world and release five of their eye-popping, mind-bending videos. Because of outside projects, life changes (kids!), a global pandemic, and even a TED Talk, And the Adjacent Possible is OK Go’s first studio album in over a decade. Reflecting on nearly 30 years of collaboration, while continuing to look forward, the band have emerged with its most diverse and accomplished collection of songs to date.”
Sly & The Family Stone
The First Family: Live At Winchester Cathedral 1967
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Sly & The Family Stone were true pioneers on so many levels: black/white, male/female, rock/soul, the act shattered all preconceptions of what popular music could be and would go on to become one of the most groundbreaking and influential artists the world has ever witnessed. The First Family: Live At Winchester Cathedral 1967 is an unprecedented live performance by the original Family Stone line-up, recorded just prior to their signing to Epic Records, and a full year before their chart breakthrough with Dance To The Music. This fascinating recording explicates Sly Stone’s genius on a tremendously exciting and atmospheric set of vintage soul covers, peppered with the arrangements, motifs and intoxicating energy that would soon become familiar during the group’s ascent. Interest in Sly is high with the documentary directed by Questlove, but to experience the full impact of The Family Stone’s legendary abilities from the start, this historic document is required listening.”
Nell Smith
Anxious
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Posthumous records are always charged with emotion, but when the release comes from a 17-year-old artist that was just getting started, they are especially heartbreaking. Anxious is a mesmerizing selection of songs that explore the highs, lows and uncertainty of teenage life through the eyes of Nell Smith, and is the followup to Where The Viaduct Looms, her debut collaboration with The Flaming Lips that explored the works of Nick Cave. Guided by the talented Jack and Lily Wolter of Penelope Isles, who helped shape Nell’s songs, some of which had been in the works since she was 12 years old, the result is an album brimming with emotion, playful melodies and a depth that hints at what Nell’s future may have held.”
Sweet
Desolation Boulevard 50th Anniversary (Live & Demos)
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Desolation Boulevard was the third studio album by British glam rock band Sweet, originally released in the U.S. in 1975. Recognized as one of their most iconic works, the album blends glam rock and hard rock elements, Desolation Boulevard captures Sweet’s vibrant energy, marked by memorable choruses, infectious hooks, and a distinct glam rock sound that helped shape the era. Classic tracks like Set Me Free and Fox On The Run are featured, both of which became defining hits for the band. To mark its 50th anniversary, this special edition includes newly uncovered recordings from guitarist Andy Scott’s tape archives.”
Talking Heads
Live On Tour ’78
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Talking Heads’ Live On Tour ’78 was recorded at the Agora in Cleveland on Dec. 18, 1978 and published as promo LP for radio broadcast in 1979. Recorded on the More Songs About Buildings and Food tour, the promo release was never officially released for the public. This is the first official release of the full show.”
