More about: Record Store Day

As we draw nearer to the highlight of every collector’s year, we have compiled a list of our favourite upcoming releases from both RSD 2021 drops. The first will take place on 21 June and the second on 17 July.

See the full list here and read on for our picks!

The Release: Fontaines D.C. - Live at Kilmainham Gaol (Partisan)
The Drop: June
The info: Fontaines D.C. are capitalising on their immense momentum following two stellar albums in two years by releasing a physical edition of their superb live-streamed show at Kilmainham Gaol. The set is a perfect blend of the punky, spiky Dogrel and the eerie and pensive A Hero’s Death - a must-buy for rock fans this Record Store Day. 

The Release: Jehnny Beth - BBC Sessions (Virgin Music)
The Drop: July
The info: Savages frontwoman and all round suave, debonair, cool as fuck, now-solo-artist Jehnny Beth is releasing a 7” with two hauntingly beautiful David Bowie covers. It takes considerable guts to cover tracks from Bowie’s swansong LP, Blackstar, but Beth pulls it off with aplomb. 'Dollar Days' and 'Lazarus' make up the tracklisting for this one.  

The Release: Billy Nomates - Billy Nomates (Invada)
The Drop: June
The info: Billy Nomates released her eponymous debut in 2020 and garnered a great response from fans and critics. Billy tells you exactly what she thinks of the world in such a devastatingly charming and catchy manner, it's impossible not to love this album. A picture disc LP is always a fun novelty of RSD, but don’t let that fool you, this album was a real highlight of 2020. 

The Release: Do Nothing - Adventures In Success (Exact Truth)
The Drop: June
The Info: This is a one-off pressing of Nottingham post-punkers Do Nothing covering Will Powers’ synth-disco track 'Adventures In Success'. They certainly do the '80s classic justice; the band are tight as ever and a brilliant vocal performance seals the deal on this cover.

The Release: Squid - Near The Westway (Warp Records)
The Drop: July
The Info: One of Bristol’s finest bands, Squid are straight out of the Wunderground/Windmill scene and are looking to bend some minds with their upcoming debut album, Bright Green Field. Squid performed two tracks on Steve Lamacq’s 6 Music show that have been recorded live to vinyl. An interesting and unique release for drop 2, this one is one of the more exciting picks this RSD.

The Release: Wolf Alice - Blue Weekend (Dirty Hit)
The Drop: June
The Info: Wolf Alice are without doubt one of the coolest bands around right now. Their first two albums achieved huge success amongst indie fans and their most recent LP Visions of A Life bagged them 2018’s Mercury Prize. All of this makes upcoming third album, Blue Weekend a very exciting project: this RSD pressing comes with an exclusive 7”, which is nothing to be sniffed at. 

The Release: The Cure - Wild Mood Swings (UMC)
The Drop: July
The Info: One of RSD’s big-hitters are legendary goths, The Cure. back with another picture disc, this time its Wild Mood Swings getting the anniversary treatment. One of the more divisive releases, the album splits fans. It’s a must-have for any Robert Smith completionists out there! 

The Release: Shame - Live In The Flesh (Dead Oceans)
The Drop: June
The Info: Shame are hot property right now. Album 2, Drunk Tank Pink, was a phenomenally good follow up to their exciting debut Songs of Praise. Live In The Flesh is a selection of 7 songs recorded live in October of 2020. Fair warning, this will make you miss live shows even more. 

The Release: Björk x The Hamrahlíð Choir - Cosmogony (One Little Independent)
The Drop: July
The Info: 'Cosmogony' is the lead single from Bjork’s album, Biophilia. A classically intriguing and thoughtful piece, this double A-side includes Bjork’s original recording (A) and the 'Hamrahlíð Choir’s version' (AA). This is all packaged beautifully on a picture disc.

The Release: Iggy Pop - Live at the Channel Boston (LMLR)
The Drop: June
The Info: Iggy, 1988, prime punk, super limited, super beautiful splatter vinyl. What more could anyone want? A prime offering for the first drop, this is very limited and will surely fly off the shelves of your local independent. Make sure you’re up early for this one!

The Release: Aretha Franklin - Oh Me, Oh My: Aretha Live In Philly 1972 (Rhino Atlantic)
The Drop: July
The Info: The undisputed Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin is at the absolute top of her game in this ‘72 recording. The tracklist is solid gold and the musicianship and vocal performance are next level here. Pressed on two orange LP’s, this is high up on our list for drop 2. 

The Release: Black Sabbath - Master Of Reality (BMG)
The Drop: June
The info: This is the metal album to end all metal albums. Godfathers of the genre, Black Sabbath are reissuing Master of Reality on purple vinyl, housed in a box set with a poster. A totally legendary album and a must-have in any collection.

The Release: Freddie Mercury - Love Me Like There's No Tomorrow (EMI)
The Drop: July
The Info: One of the best frontmen to ever walk the earth, Freddie’s 'Love Me Like There’s No Tomorrow' is taken from his album, Mr. Bad Guy. Pressed on hot pink vinyl, this release commemorates what would have been Mercury’s 75th birthday.

The Release: The Clash - If Music Could Talk (CMG)
The Drop: July
The Info: 1981’s promo album is getting a fantastic reissue for this year’s RSD drop 2. This intriguing listen includes interviews with all members of the legendary punk group, as well as friends of the band and all the brilliantly remastered album tracks. Iconic. Double vinyl. Don’t miss it.

The Release: Dirty Three - Ocean Songs (Bella Union)
The Drop: June
The Info: Long term Cave-collaborator, Warren Ellis’ side project are releasing their Ocean Songs album as a beautiful deluxe box set. They’re an instrumental, avant garde trio who make intriguing art rock, and if you haven't heard this album already, we urge you to - this box set is bound to be a real collectors piece too.

More about: Record Store Day