Records Store Day is upon us this Saturday, and an enormous list of releases is available to peruse. We single out some highlights in a few key categories, with releases from Florence and the Machine, David Bowie, Rage Against the Machine and Nas, among others.
Brand-new music
Several brand-new tracks will be released as Record Store Day exclusives. Among them is Florence + the Machine’s “Sky Full of Song”, the band’s first new track since 2016, due out on a 7″ single. Other new tracks are coming from Snow Patrol, Courtney Barnett, and Brian Eno with Kevin Shields.
Live albums
Rage Against the Machine is sharing a six-song limited release of their incendiary protest concert at the 2000 Democratic National Convention. In other live highlights, the National is releasing “Boxer Live in Brussels”, featuring a performance of their 2007 album live in full, while Nas’s Kennedy Center concert with the National Symphony Orchestra celebrating the 20th anniversary of his seminal album “Illmatic”will get an exclusive vinyl release.
Previously unreleased recordings
Several previously unheard tracks and demos will see the light of day on new vinyl releases. From the David Bowie archive, among the multiple releases marking the second anniversary of the icon’s death will be a “Let’s Dance” demo recorded in 1982, while Led Zeppelin will release two previously unreleased tracks chosen by Jimmy Page.
Vinyl reissues and special editions
Arcade Fire will release its debut EP on vinyl for the first time, while Prince’s “1999” will get its first vinyl release since 1983 and two Lil Uzi Vert mixtapes will also make their vinyl debut. Among the many special editions are a collector’s version of “Stay Gold” by United States Record Store Day ambassadors Run the Jewels complete with metal box and goodies, and a Cure compilation featuring 16 new remixes by Robert Smith of classic Cure tracks.
A complete list of U.S. Record Store Day releases can be found at recordstoreday.com/PromotionalEvent; releases vary by country, so be sure to consult your local list and check with your local record store for release details. JB
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