Get ready to mark your calendars, music lovers, because Record Store Day 2026 is set to be a vinyl enthusiast's dream come true—and the exclusive releases are nothing short of jaw-dropping. Falling on Saturday, April 18, this annual celebration of independent record stores has just unveiled its highly anticipated list of special titles, and trust us, you won’t want to miss this. But here's where it gets controversial: with a lineup that spans decades and genres, some of these releases are sure to spark debates among fans. Is this the most diverse RSD yet, or are we stretching the boundaries too far? Dive into the full list at https://recordstoreday.com/SpecialReleases and decide for yourself.
Among the highlights, you’ll find rare gems like Pavement’s Perfect Sound Forever and Slint’s untitled Albini rough mixes, alongside live recordings that will transport you back in time—think Grateful Dead’s Boston Music Hall 1976 and Pink Floyd’s 1975 Los Angeles Sports Arena performance. And this is the part most people miss: there’s a surprising mix of modern and classic acts, from Ethel Cain’s Inbred to Jeff Buckley’s Live À L’Olympia. Even Bruno Mars, this year’s RSD Ambassador, is sure to bring a fresh vibe to the event.
But let’s not forget the offshoots and collaborations that make this year’s list so unique. Look Outside Your Window, a Slipknot offshoot, and The Tears, a Suede side project, offer a glimpse into the creative minds behind these iconic bands. Meanwhile, doPE, a collaboration between John Densmore and Chuck D, raises the question: Can two legends from different musical worlds truly merge their styles?
For the K-Pop and soundtrack fans, KPop Demon Hunters from the Netflix film is a must-grab, while Lil Peep’s crybaby 10-year anniversary edition is a nostalgic trip for emo enthusiasts. And if you’re a collector, you’ll want to snag George Harrison’s Dark Horse and Extra Texture Zoetrope LPs or The Modern Lovers’ picture disc before they’re gone.
Here’s the full lineup to fuel your excitement:
- Pavement – Perfect Sound Forever
- Slint – untitled (Albini rough mixes)
- Grateful Dead – Boston Music Hall, Boston, MA 6/11/76
- Grateful Dead – On A Back Porch, Vol. 3
- The Sisters Of Mercy – First And Last and Always “The Japanese Edition”
- Pink Floyd – Live From the Los Angeles Sports Arena, April 26th, 1975
- Look Outside Your Window (Slipknot offshoot) – Look Outside Your Window
- Mutemath – Mutemath
- The Tears (Suede offshoot) – Here Comes the Tears
- Air – AIR Moon Safari – The Athens Concert
- Jeff Buckley – Live À L’Olympia
- Joni Mitchell – For The Roses
- The Gits – Etcetera
- Ethel Cain – Inbred
- Sonic Youth – Diamond Seas
- Captain Beefheart & The Magic Band – Lick My Decals Off, Baby (Deluxe Edition)
- Neko Case – Cool Boys
- The Jesus & Mary Chain – Some Candy Talking
- Against Me! – New Wave B-Sides
- King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard – Big Fig Wasp
- Bluey – Up Here Zoetrope Picture Disc
- Various Artists – KPop Demon Hunters (Soundtrack from the Netflix Film) – HUNTR/X Edition
- Ramones – Live In San Francisco
- Phoenix – United
- Phoenix – Alphabetical
- Cam’ron – Killa Season
- Primal Scream – 1987 EPs
- Lemonheads – Creator
- Charli XCX – party 4 u
- Tyler Childers – Live From Dinosaur World
- XTC – Live At Emerald City 1981
- The Cure – Greatest Hits
- The Chills – Sunburnt
- Deafheaven – KEXP Sessions
- Motorhead – The Löst Tapes, Vol. 7 (Lemmy’s 50th Birthday, Live in West Hollywood, 1995)
- Olivia Dean – BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge
- Dinosaur Jr – Live in Hollywood 1991 – The Green Mind Tour
- doPE (John Densmore & Chuck D) – No Country For Old Men
- Dropkick Murphys/Outlets – Knock Me Down
- Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark – Archive Vol. 1 (1981-1990)
- Neil Young & The Chrome Hearts – The Live Album
- George Harrison – Dark Horse Zoetrope LP
- George Harrison – Extra Texture Zoetrope LP
- Judas Priest – Live in Los Angeles ’90
- Lil Peep – crybaby (10 Year Anniversary RSD Edition)
- Bat For Lashes – A Fleet of Bats: Early Demos
- Misfits – Famous Monsters
- The Modern Lovers – The Modern Lovers (picture disc)
- Ozzy Osbourne – Handmade By Robots (vinyl figure)
- Paramore – All We Know is Falling (Deluxe)
- Sugar – File Under Easy Listening – The Singles Collection
- Van Halen – Live in New Haven, CT 1986
- John Wesley Harding – Here Comes The Groom (Deluxe)
- London Suede – Coming Up At The BBC
So, what do you think? Is this year’s RSD lineup a collector’s paradise or a mixed bag? Are there any releases you’re excited about, or do you think some artists don’t belong on this list? Let us know in the comments—we’re all ears!
