Best Vinyl Releases Archives - Page 2 of 5

The Best Vinyl Releases Of January 2024

January 31, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Anybody who thought the vinyl resurgence was just a fad was mistaken: The industry has experienced a legitimate revival. As a result, music fans are interested in physical media in ways they may not have if the decades-old medium hasn’t made a comeback. That doesn’t mean everybody is listening to just their parents’ old music, though. That’s part of it, sure, thanks to rereleases that present classic albums in new ways. A vital part of the renewed vinyl wave, though, is new projects being released as records, of which there are plenty.

Whatever you might be into, each month brings a new slew of vinyl releases that has something for everybody. Some stand out above the rest, naturally, so check out some of our favorite vinyl releases of January below.

Kali Uchis — Orquídeas

Kali Uchis had a huge January: Not only did she reveal that she’s pregnant, but she also dropped a terrific new album, Orquídeas. She’s released it in a few vinyl variants, too, including standard black, milky clear vinyl (pictured above), and a picture disc.

Get it here.

Cocteau Twins — Four-Calendar Café (Reissue) and Milk & Kisses (Reissue)

Scottish ethereal rockers Cocteau Twins wrapped up their esteemed run with two final albums, Four-Calendar Café in 1993 and Milk & Kisses in 1996. Now, these two albums have gotten a new vinyl release that’s significant for American fans of the group, as this is the first time these two albums have been released on vinyl in the US.

Get it here.

Ornette Coleman — Change Of The Century (Reissue)

Ornette Coleman Change of the Century vinyl — Rhino

Coleman is literally the father of free jazz: the term itself comes from his 1961 album Free Jazz: A Collective Improvisation. A year before that project, though, he dropped Change Of The Century, which is the subject of a new Rhino Hi-Fi reissue. This edition was given a detailed manufacturing treatment, so the album sounds as good as it ever has, and most relevantly, it’s limited to just 5,000 individually number copies.

Get it here.

The Smile — Wall Of Eyes

Uproxx’s Steven Hyden wrote of the new album from the Radiohead offshoot, “Thom and Jonny’s forthcoming sophomore effort isn’t as groovy as the first. On A Light For Attracting Attention, they strutted like a British art-rock redux of Booker T. And The MG’s, with Thom and Jonny clearly vibing on Tom Skinner’s relentless syncopations. Wall Of Eyes is rockier and, well, more Radiohead-esque.”

Get it here.

Tune-Yards — I’m A Virgo — Prime Video Original Series Soundtrack

If you watched the Prime Video series I’m A Virgo from the great Boots Riley and found yourself liking the music, that’s not surprising since it came courtesy of Tune-Yards. A vinyl release of the soundtrack was announced today and will be available on April 5 via Lakeshore Records. It comes pressed on lovely limited-edition yellow vinyl and accompanied by a color insert.

Get it here.

Maggie Rogers — Heard It In A Past Life (Reissue)

It’s been five years since Maggie Rogers broke out with her well-received debut album, Heart It In A Past Life. To mark the occasion, this new anniversary reissue comes with the album pressed on cobalt vinyl, a “Love You For A Long Time” 7-inch, and a 12-inch by 20-inch poster.

Get it here.

M. Ward — Duet for Guitars #2 (Reissue) and Transfiguration Of Vincent (Reissue)

Duet For Guitars No. 2 was M. Ward’s first album, while Transfiguration Of Vincent was his first with Merge Records. Now, the label has pressed both of those albums onto vinyl for the first time, making these editions must-haves for Ward completionists.

Get Duet for Guitars #2 here. Get Transfiguration Of Vincent here.

Spiritualized — Amazing Grace (20 Year Anniversary Edition)

As the title suggests, Spiritualized folded a profound gospel influence into the mix of Amazing Grace. Now, it’s the latest album to get remastered as part of The Spaceman Reissue Program: Curated by J Spaceman. This edition comes in a standard black vinyl pressing and a limited dove grey vinyl.

Get it here.

Fleetwood Mac — Fleetwood Mac (Vinyl Me, Please Reissue)

Fleetwood Mac has been consistently popular for decades, but they had a big revival in 2020 when “Dreams” went viral online. Well, for new fans who listened to Rumours and dug it, the album that preceded it, 1975’s Fleetwood Mac, is one of the Vinyl Me, Please albums of the month, pressed on 180g Black & White Quad vinyl.

Get it here.

Kid Cudi — Insano

Kid Cudi vinyl — Wicked Awesome Records/Republic Records

Kid Cudi had one of the year’s first major hip-hop releases with Insano. Just like he went hard on the album, he also went all in on the vinyl, as he has a few different cover art options for different editions. (He even had some signed LPs, but those are currently sold out.)

Get it here.

Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

The Best Vinyl Releases Of December 2023

December 29, 2023 by newhiphopnews

Alicia Keys — Diary Of Alicia Keys (VMP 20th Anniversary Edition)

Keys had a striking start with her debut album Songs In A Minor, and she kept that success going with Diary Of Alicia Keys, her second No. 1 album. The latter LP turns 20 years old this year, so Vinyl Me, Please has come through with a gorgeous reissue. The 3LP release is pressed on gorgeous “piano key” vinyl and comes with a bonus disc of remixes and alternate takes, along with a live performance at Webster Hall.

Get it here.

DJ Rashad — Double Cup (10th Anniversary Reissue)

Late footwork pioneer DJ Rashad ultimately only released one album during his lifetime, 2013’s iconic Double Cup. That project is now a decade old and it just got a reissue that comes with revamped artwork and a limited-edition gold vinyl pressing. There’s also a documentary in the works, so that’s something for Rashad fans to keep an eye out for.

Get it here.

Aretha Franklin — A Portrait Of The Queen 1970-1974

This 6LP set is a great way to get into Aretha Franklin, or to revisit some favorites you already know and love. The collection includes five albums from the early ’70s, plus a bonus LP of session alternates, outtakes, and demos. On top of that, the original albums have been remastered from the analog master tapes, so they’ve never sounded better than they do here.

Get it here.

Sheryl Crow — Tuesday Night Music Club (3oth Anniversary Reissue)

Crow’s Tuesday Night Music Club didn’t get a proper vinyl release back in 1993, so here’s one now, on the project’s 30th anniversary. Bernie Grundman originally mastered the album, and he returned to remaster it from the original master tape for this reissue. In addition to a standard black pressing, a translucent sea blue LP is also available.

Get it here.

Violent Femmes — Violent Femmes (Deluxe Edition)

Violent Femmes have been at it for over four decades now and it all started with 1983’s self-titled debut album. As the album turns 40, the band has reissued it in an expanded collection. The set features the remastered album, along with rare B-sides, live sessions, and demo recordings, as well as “a book featuring new liner notes by journalist David Fricke and interviews with the band.”

Get it here.

The Cranberries — Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can’t We? (Reissue)

“Linger” by The Cranberries is often dubbed one of the best songs of the ’90s, and it comes from the band’s 1993 debut album, Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can’t We?. For the project’s 30th anniversary, the album has been pressed onto crisp gold vinyl, but do keep in mind that you might not want to waste time getting this one if you want it, as it’s a limited edition.

Get it here.

Willie Nelson — Long Story Short: Willie Nelson 90 Live At The Hollywood Bowl

willie vinyl — Legacy Recordings/Blackbird Presents

Earlier this year, Willie Nelson celebrated a major milestone: he turned 90 years old. There was a literal celebration, too, via a star-studded concert at the Hollywood Bowl that featured performances from Nelson, Beck, Dave Matthews, Gary Clark Jr., Keith Richards, Norah Jones, Miranda Lambert, Sheryl Crow, and Snoop Dogg. Now, that special night has been immortalized on vinyl.

Get it here.

Big Thief — Masterpiece (Reissue)

For Big Thief, it all started with 2016’s Masterpiece, a boldly named debut album that lives up to the title. Now it’s gotten a reissue and the “evo-vinyl” edition is an opportunity for a fun surprise: The LPs are pressed on random recycled vinyl, so you won’t know what color record you get until you get it and open it up.

Get it here.

Steely Dan — Gaucho (Reissue)

Gaucho was a major moment for Steely Dan, as the 1980 project was their last album before a lengthy hiatus, which they ended in 2000 with Two Against Nature. The band has been reissuing their old albums this year and the series continues with Gaucho, which just got a fresh remaster sourced from an analog tape copy.

Get it here.

The Sound Of Music (Deluxe Edition)

Perhaps the most defining movie musical of all time, The Sound Of Music is a classic that still holds up, and now the film’s music has gotten a fresh reissue. This is the one fans have been waiting for, as this edition “collects every musical element from the film for the very first time,” including 14 previously unreleased tracks.

Get it here.

Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

The Best Vinyl Releases Of November 2023

December 1, 2023 by newhiphopnews

Snoop Dogg — Doggystyle (30th Anniversary Edition)

Snoop Dogg (who’s still smoking weed, by the way) is celebrating 30 years of his iconic debut album, Doggystyle, with a new reissue. This is a cool one, too: Aside from being available in a number of color variants, it features “Gz Up Hoes Down,” which was exclusively available on the album’s initial 100,000 units in 1993, making it sought after.

Get it here.

The Beatles — 1962-1966 (‘The Red Album’) and 1967-1970 (‘The Blue Album’)

“Now And Then” is the headlining new Beatles release of the year, but the legendary group also delivered some compelling reissues of two classic compilation albums. The new versions of the collections come with expanded tracklists (which includes “Now And Then”), all pressed on bold-colored, semi-translucent vinyl with stereo mixes. And if you just want the new (and final) Beatles song on vinyl, don’t worry, that’s also available in multiple formats.

Get it here.

The Beths – Expert In A Dying Field (Bandbox Exclusive)

If you’re not following what Bandbox is doing in the vinyl space, you better get on board. The Minneapolis-based company is announcing exclusive pressings and zines from a variety of artists on a weekly basis, and our favorite of their recent announcements is this lovely pink and green pressing of The Beths’ killer Expert In A Dying Field. It’s available for pre-order now, as well as recently announced offerings from the likes of Braid and Grizzly Bear.

Get it here.

Various Artists — Barbie The Album (VMP Designer Edition) and Barbie The Album (VMP Kendom Edition)

Barbie was the movie of the year, but it had the soundtrack of the year, too. Given that Barbie as a brand has been a merchandising titan for decades now, the vinyl editions of the soundtrack are packed with goodies, and they come in both Designer and Kendom flavors via our friends at Vinyl Me, Please.

Get Designer Edition here. Get Kendom Edition here.

Polo G — Die A Legend (Reissue)

As part of Record Store Day’s Black Friday celebration earlier this month, Legacy Recordings dropped a series of reissues. It’s hard to call their Polo G offering a reissue, though: They pressed Die A Legend on “black ice” colored vinyl, which is actually the first time the multi-platinum album has ever been available on vinyl. So, if this is one you’ve been waiting to put on your turntable, you finally can.

Get it here.

Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab is in the midst of a very cool reissue series with LA icons Van Halen, and the self-titled debut is a great place to start. The company describes the restoration process as “painstaking,” mastered from the original analog tapes onto MoFi’s supervinyl. When you turn up “Running With The Devil” and “Eruption” to their max volume, you’ll be hearing Eddie’s trademark guitar as well as ever.

Get it here.

Public Enemy — It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back (35th Anniversary Edition)

Public Enemy It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back vinyl reissue — UMe

It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back is an iconic release in early hip-hop history, and this year, it celebrates 35 trips around the sun. Now there’s a 4LP reissue that comes with new liner notes via Chuck D, Flavor Flav, Q-Tip, and Questlove, quite the foursome offering insight on an important hip-hop milestone.

Get it here.

Explosions In The Sky — Those Who Tell The Truth Shall Die, Those Who Tell The Truth Shall Live Forever (Anniversary Edition) and The Earth Is Not A Cold Dead Place (Anniversary Edition)

Explosions In The Sky The Earth Is Not a Cold Dead Place — Temporary Residence Ltd

Post-rock mainstays Explosions In The Sky are reissuing two of their most classic pieces of early work, and this is actually the first time either LP is available on colored vinyl. Both colorings do a terrific job at highlighting the distinct album cover art, and the albums have been remastered for this release, too.

Get it here.

Pearl Jam — Vs. (30th Anniversary Edition)

Ten was a huge debut album for Pearl Jam, and they crushed it with its follow-up, Ten, too: It was their first No. 1 album and it hung into that top spot for five weeks. It’s been 30 years since that album dropped, and now Eddie Vedder and company are reissuing it in a number of different configurations; Pictured above is the 2LP “dreamsicle” configuration available via the band’s Ten Club, while other editions are available elsewhere.

Get it here.

R.E.M. — Up (25th Anniversary Reissue)

R.E.M. Up vinyl reissue — Craft Recordings

Up was a turning point for R.E.M., as the group’s 11th album saw them without their founding drummer, Bill Berry, for the first time. It’s already been 25 years since then, so they’ve given the album a fresh coat of paint with a new remaster of the LP, and the band also has T-shirts and other cool merch to complement your vinyl purchase.

Get it here.

Social Distortion — Mommy’s Little Monster (40th Anniversary Reissue)

Mommy’s Little Monster, Social Distortion’s 40-year-old debut album, can now be yours via some pretty neat vinyl reissues. The album has been remastered from the original analog tapes, and there’s also a variety of limited-edition colorways to choose from, all of which are lovely.

Get it here.

Daft Punk — Random Access Memories (Drumless Edition)

Random Access Memories is a classic of its era, but it sounds completely different if you get rid of the drums. That’s something Daft Punk wanted to explore with a new “Drumless Edition” of the 2013 album. Aside from being a new way to experience this awesome project, the stark white cover art is just so, so clean.

Get it here.

Vic Mensa — Victor

In his review of Victor, Uproxx’s Aaron Williams wrote, “Victor gives listeners exactly what it says on the tin: A holistic look at an artist who’s come into his own at last. Vic had to go through everything he did to mature enough as an artist to synthesize those experiences into an honest, unfiltered summation of himself. This is his real autobiography — it was worth the wait.” Now, it’s available to spin at home, and includes an option for a signed copy.

Get it here.

Bob Dylan — The Complete Budokan 1978

Dylan’s 1978 world tour were his first international shows since 1966, making them a special event for those audiences. The run included his first appearances in Japan, and now we have a deluxe box set that chronicles two full shows recorded at Tokyo’s Nippon Budokan Hall on February 28 and March 1, 1978. Ultimately, there are 36 previously unreleased recordings here, making it a must for hardcore Dylan fans. Check out Steven Hyden’s review of the collection, and look below for your own physical copy.

Get it here.

Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

The Best Vinyl Releases Of October 2023

October 31, 2023 by newhiphopnews

Linda Ronstadt — A Merry Little Christmas (Reissue)

In the year 2000, Linda Ronstadt carved herself a space in the holiday music pantheon with her A Merry Little Christmas album. Now, ahead of the holiday season, the project is being reissued, with this rerelease being the first time the project is available on vinyl. There are three pressings to suit any festive record collection: metallic silver, evergreen, and poinsettia red.

Get it here.

Mötley Crüe — Year Of The Devil

Mötley Crüe came into their own with their second album, 1983’s Shout At The Devil. To mark the project’s 40th anniversary, there’s a fresh new reissue that has a bunch of goodies, like reproductions of 7-inch singles, tarot cards, and event a collection of demos, compiled and dubbed Shout At The Demos & Rarities.

Get it here.

Tom Waits — Bone Machine and The Black Rider (Reissues)

tom waits black rider vinyl — Island/UMe

Tom Waits and longtime collaborator/wife Kathleen Brennan are overseeing a reissue project at the moment, and the latest releases from the bunch are two of Waits’ best ’90s albums: Bone Machine and The Black Rider. Both are available for the first time on vinyl in the US, and come in both black and colored versions. (In case you missed it, Swordfishtrombones, Rain Dogs, and Franks Wild Years were previously reissued in September; Find more information on those in the link below.)

Get it here.

The Blood Brothers — Burn, Piano Island, Burn (20th Anniversary Reissue)

Seattle post-hardcore favorites The Blood Brothers are celebrating 20 years of their classic album Burn, Piano Island, and they’re doing so with a reissue. It’s a fun one, too, as it comes with the album on exclusive colored vinyl (differing depending on where you pick it up), an “Ambulance Vs. Ambulance” 7-inch, and an expanded 32-page booklet featuring new liner notes and photos.

Get it here.

Future — Pluto, DS2, Super Slimey, Monster, Beast Mode, 56 Nights, Purple Reign, Future, and Hndrxx (Reissues)

Future is currently offering the perfect opportunity for fans to get his work into their vinyl collections: He’s bringing nine of his albums and mixtapes to vinyl in a series of drops. Pluto, DS2, and Super Slimey kicked things off on October 20; Monster, Beast Mode, and 56 Nights arrived on October 27; and Purple Reign, Future, and Hndrxx are coming November 3.

Get it here.

Led Zeppelin — IV (Reissue)

Atlantic Records launched a 75 anniversary campaign not long ago and it’s good news for vinyl fans, as the long-running label has a number of classic releases prime for reissues. Among the lot of LPs getting re-pressed is Led Zeppelin’s IV, which comes in a lovely translucent vinyl.

Get it here.

Coldplay — A Head Full Of Dreams (Reissue)

coldplay head full of dreams reissue — Atlantic

As part of the same campaign as the Led Zep album, Coldplay is reissuing their esteemed 2015 project A Head Full Of Dreams. It’s pressed on 140g colored recycled vinyl and comes with a bonus track, the hit Chainsmokers collaboration “Something Just Like This.

Get it here.

Nirvana — In Utero (30th Anniversary Reissue)

Nirvana’s Nevermind reissue was a big deal in 2021, and now it’s In Utero‘s turn. The beloved Nevermind follow-up is 30 now and it’s getting re-released in a number of formats, including an 8-LP edition that includes a whopping 53 unreleased tracks, including two previously unheard full shows from the In Utero tour.

Get it here.

Van Halen — The Collection II

In 2015, Van Halen unveiled The Collection, which focused on the band’s first six albums. Now, after nearly a decade, The Collection II is here. This five-LP release highlights the band’s second incarnation (Sammy Hagar, Eddie Van Halen, Alex Van Halen, and Michael Anthony) and features four remastered albums (5150, OU812, For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge, and Balance), as well as some rarities from between 1989 and 2004.

Get it here.

U2 — Zooropa (30th Anniversary Reissue)

u2 zooropa reissue — Island/Interscope/UMe

U2 is currently in the spotlight thanks to their concerts at the wild new Las Vegas venue The Sphere, for a residency dubbed U2:UV Achtung Baby Live At Sphere. 1993’s Zooropa, meanwhile, is very much a part of the Achtung Baby story, and as Zooropa turns 30, the band has reissued the album in a transparent yellow vinyl pressing.

Get it here.

Bruce Springsteen – Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J.

Limited to just 7,500 copies, Springsteen’s debut album gets the audiophile treatment from MoFi, making this pressing of the classic album a must-own for fans of The Boss. For those into the pressing specifics, that means 1/4″ / 15 IPS analog master to DSD 256 to analog console to lathe. Get out your good headphones for this, “Blinded By The Light” has never sounded so good.

Get it here.

Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

The Best Vinyl Releases Of September 2023

September 29, 2023 by newhiphopnews

Beastie Boys — Hello Nasty (Deluxe Edition)

Beastie Boys are perhaps best known for their ’80s and early-’90s output, but they were still getting after it later in the decade. Hello Nasty was a No. 1 album in 1998, and now that the project is turning 25 this year, the group has reissued it with bonus LPs (for 4 LPs in total) that have a number of bonus tracks (and there’s even a sew-on patch for you in the box set).

Get it here.

Aesop Rock — Skelethon (10th Anniversary Deluxe Edition)

aesop rock skelethon vinyl — Rhymesayers

Skelethon was a turning point for Aesop Rock, as his sixth album came five years after its predecessor, None Shall Pass, and it was his first album to be completely self-produced. So, as it turns 10, Aesop has given it premium treatment, which includes a 3-LP package that includes “a gatefold jacket with revised art layouts, printed sleeves, a 4-panel insert with full album lyrics, two cream & black marble-colored vinyl, and a UV printed ultra-clear bonus disc vinyl with four exclusive bonus tracks.”

Get it here.

The Eagles — Hotel California (Box Set)

It’s very likely there’s no song/album about a hotel more famous than the one by The Eagles. Now the group has dusted off the album for a new limited edition (there are 17,500 numbered copies) of the album that was mastered from the original analog master tapes, and is pressed to high-fidelity MoFi SuperVinyl.

Get it here.

Green Day — Dookie (30th Anniversary Deluxe Edition)

Dookie is certainly in the conversation when it comes to the most classic albums of the ’90s. It’s somehow already been 30 years since it was released and the band has released a vinyl box set that has a bunch of rare and unreleased material, as well as other goodies, included.

Get it here.

Steely Dan — Aja (Reissue)

Steely Dan is in the midst of a vinyl reissue series and up next is the 1997 classic Aja. For this edition, the album has been remastered “from an analog, non-EQ’d, tape copy.”

Get it here.

Haim — Days Are Gone (10th Anniversary Reissue)

It doesn’t feel like Haim’s been around long enough for anniversary reissues, does it? Regardless, Days Are Gone is 10 now, so the sisters are re-releasing it for the first time ever, housed in a new package, exclusive poster, a printed transparent slipcase, and more.

Get it here.

Huey Lewis & The News — Sports (Reissue)

Sports was an unstoppable album in 1983, yielding four top-10 hits and managing a rank of No. 2 on the year-end album charts in 1984. The album is 40 years old now and now we’re treated to a fresh pressing, including one edition featuring olive green vinyl.

Get it here.

The Replacements — Tim: Let It Bleed Edition

The Replacements’ Tommy Stinson recently spoke with Uproxx about the band’s new Tim box set, and he said of how the project sounds on this particular release, “I think it sounds more the way it should have sounded to begin with. The funny thing is there were two records that we did that I always felt sounded terrible and this is one of them. It always sounded bad to me, and when it came out it seemed that everyone whitewashed — including the record company — that there was something wrong with it. Intrinsically, I’ve always known what was wrong with it. The original mix was mixed on f*cking headphones. So I don’t suspect Ed Stasium mixing it on headphones. I don’t really know anyone that mixes on headphones, but I always knew there was a problem with that. So this is great. I’m pretty stoked on it.”

Get it here.

The Who — Who’s Next (Reissue)

Uproxx’s Steven Hyden recently dove deep into this release, saying this reissue proves Who’s Next is “the ultimate classic rock album.” He wrote in part, “It is, simultaneously, one of the most overexposed rock albums ever, with a reach that extends into every sports stadium (and CSI franchise spin-off) known to man, and an intriguingly nebulous idea dreamt up by a genius who earnestly believed that his music could elevate his audience to a better, heretofore untouched astral plane. […] It offers proof positive that aiming for the impossible can result in achieving the incredible. And that’s why it’s the ultimate classic rock album.”

Get it here.

Tom Waits — Swordfishtrombones, Rain Dogs, and Franks Wild Years (Reissues)

Waits is in the midst of reissuing some of his most classic albums on vinyl, and a few of them are available now. Waits is personally overseeing the series of newly remastered rereleases and each album is available on gorgeous colored vinyl.

Get it here.

The Breeders — Last Splash (30th Anniversary Original Analog Edition)

This 30th anniversary reissue of Last Splash actually marks the first time the album has ever been remastered, making this the best the classic project has ever sounded. Also included is “an exclusive, one-sided etched 12-inch which excitingly features two brilliant and previously unreleased tracks — ‘Go Man Go’ and ‘Divine Mascis,’” which “originate from the original sessions and were left forgotten until the sessions were exhumed to create this new master.”

Get it here.

Grandaddy — Sumday Twunny

Grandaddy announced this reissue back in May, revealing that it includes the album itself, demos, rarities, and B-sides. Jason Lytle noted,” After many years of hammering away at writing and recording as Grandaddy, Sumday seems to be the center of it and where it all peaked. To the journalists we were, ‘On the verge of greatness, underrated, overlooked, unsung.’ It was a tumultuous and exciting time for us for sure. Also very exhausting.”

Get it here.

Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

The Best Vinyl Releases Of August 2023

August 31, 2023 by newhiphopnews

Black Sabbath — Hand Of Doom 1970 – 1978

The ’70s was the defining decade for Black Sabbath, and now that era has been compiled into one killer box set. The albums look gorgeous here, too, with the cover art printed on the vinyl’s Side A. This pressing is limited to just 4,000 copies, so it’s one to pounce on if you’re interested.

Get it here.

Talking Heads — Stop Making Sense (Deluxe Edition)

Talking Heads Stop Making Sense vinyl — Rhino

A fresh 4K remaster of Talking Heads’ Stop Making Sense is hitting theaters soon, and the soundtrack album is also being taken care of. A limited-edition 2LP set is out now and it has a bunch of goodies, including two unreleased performances of “Cities” and “Big Business/I Zimbra,” as well as new liner notes from all four band members.

Get it here.

Jaimie Branch — Fly Or Die Fly Or Die Fly Or Die ((World War))

Jaimie Branch vinyl — International Anthem Recording Co

Branch, a favorite in the modern jazz scene, tragically died at 39 years old last August. Now her last album with her quartet is here and it comes in a number of pressings, including the striking green one pictured above.

Get it here.

DeYarmond Edison — Epoch (Box Set)

Before Bon Iver, Justin Vernon was a member of a group called DeYarmond Edison. The group is a major part of the Vernon story, and now a new box set tells that story through 5 LPs, 4 CDs, and a 120-page biography by journalist and executive producer (and Uproxx contributor) Grayson Haver Currin.

Get it here.

R.E.M. – Reveal and Accelerate

R.E.M.’s late period might be severely underrated, but what do you expect when your early period launched you as one of the most important indie bands of all time and your middle period saw you level up as a major label juggernaut. Two long out-of-print releases are seeing vinyl reissues to remind people of the strength of R.E.M.’s concluding years, with Reveal and Accelerate getting much-needed pressings from Craft Recordings. Both were pressed on 180-gram vinyl at Memphis Records Pressing, with Accelerate being available now, while Reveal is due out on September 8th.

Get it here.

Aesop Rock — Skelethon (10-Year Anniversary Edition) and None Shall Pass

Skelethon was a significant album for Aesop Rock, as it was his first one to crack the top 40 on the Billboard 200 chart. The project turned a decade old last year, and Aesop is celebrating now with an anniversary deluxe edition that comes with four bonus tracks. Also worth noting is that if you happen to already have Skelethon in your collection or you just want more Aesop, None Shall Pass is one of Vinyl Me, Please’s Records Of The Month for September.

Get it here and here.

Sonic Youth — Live in Brooklyn 2011

Sonic Youth vinyl — Silver Current Records

In 2011, Sonic Youth took to Brooklyn and gave their final live performance. It was an epic, career-spanning night, and now they’ve issued it as a live album. The vinyl edition is a terrific way to experience this major moment and it’s available in a number of limited edition color variants.

Get it here.

Betty Davis — Crashin’ From Passion (Reissue)

Crashin’ From Passion is a project Betty Davis fans know, as it’s previously been released as a bootleg consisting of tracks from her final recording sessions. The album is now getting its first-ever vinyl release, and of interest are the liner notes by writer and Davis’ friend Danielle Maggio: The writing integrates interview quotes from Davis, making it her final-ever interview.

Get it here.

Marvin Gaye — Let’s Get It On (Deluxe Edition)

So much of Marvin Gaye’s output is iconic, but Let’s Get It On is definitely one of the first albums that comes to mind. The 1973 album is now half a century old, and the new reissue of it is one for completionists, featuring 33 bonus tracks, 18 of which were previously unreleased.

Get it here.

Lush — Spooky, Split, and Lovelife (Reissues)

It’s been hard to find Lush on vinyl, since the group’s three albums haven’t received new pressings since the ’90s (save for one box set in 2016). Now, though, all three of them are available again, remastered from the original half-inch production tapes, even.

Get Spooky here. Get Split here. Get Lovelife here.

Disclosure — Settle (10th Anniversary Reissue)

disclosure settle 10th anniversary vinyl reissue — Island UK/IGA/UMe

Disclosure just released a new album recently, and if that put you in a Disclosure mood, then this new 10th-anniversary edition of Settle dropped just in time. Aside from the original album, the 2LP orange vinyl edition comes with five bonus tracks.

Get it here.

Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

The Best Vinyl Releases Of July 2023

July 31, 2023 by newhiphopnews

Rolling Stones — Forty Licks (Reissue)

The Rolling Stones are bringing their 2002 compilation album Forty Licks to digital formats for the first time, but more relevant here is its debut on vinyl. The collection, originally released to mark the band’s 40th anniversary, was released as a limited edition four-disc, 180-gram black vinyl version, all in a wide spined gatefold sleeve.

Get it here.

Stevie Nicks — Complete Studio Albums & Rarities

Even excluding her iconic work with Fleetwood Mac, Stevie Nicks has had a hell of a career with her solo work. Her solo debut came in 1981, and now that project and everything since has been compiled in a new box set, along with Rarities, a compilation of, you guessed it, rarities, which are only available in this release.

Get it here.

Raised By Rap: 50 Years Of Hip Hop

In case you haven’t been a music consumer at all this year: In 2023, hip-hop is celebrating its milestone 50th anniversary, and there have been plenty of observances to honor the occasion. One example is a compilation of hits from across the genres history, featuring songs from icons past and present, like A Tribe Called Quest, Travis Scott, Wu-Tang Clan, and 21 Savage.

Get it here.

Steely Dan — Pretzel Logic (Reissue)

If you have a vinyl copy of Pretzel Logic, it’s likely old and worn out, as the album hasn’t been released on vinyl in over three decades. Now, though, it’s been pressed again, and the album has even been remastered from the original analogue tapes for the occasion.

Get it here.

R.E.M. — Around The Sun and Collapse Into Now (Reissues)

Two major albums in R.E.M.’s discography have been out of print for a while, but now they’re getting fresh vinyl pressings. Limited editions of Around The Sun and Collapse Into Now are available exclusively on R.E.M.’s website: The latter is pressed on opaque white vinyl, while the former comes on milky clear vinyl and comes with exclusive merch.

Get it here.

Sublime — 40oz. To Freedom (Vinyl Me, Please Reissue)

Sublime’s self-titled third album was what saw the group break out in a major way, but their earlier work has since become beloved as well. Now their debut, 40oz. To Freedom, is the rock album of the month over at Vinyl Me, Please, so it comes pressed on lovely blue vinyl and with a new listening notes booklet.

Get it here.

Pantera — The Complete Studio Albums 1990-2000

Pantera is about as iconic as it gets when it comes to metal, and now fans can cherish their journey with a new box set collecting all of their albums. This isn’t just a standard vinyl reissue, as these are picture discs featuring the corresponding cover art, making this the most definitive and aesthetically pleasing way to experience Pantera on vinyl.

Get it here.

Brian May + Friends — Star Fleet Project (Reissue)

In 1983, Brian May + Friends dropped Star Fleet Project, and the “+ Friends” joining the Queen guitarist was an esteemed roster featuring Eddie Van Halen. The project is 40 years old now and it got an anniversary edition, about which May said, “It’s been very exciting to open up the vault to find these tapes where, in the blink of an eye, I’m trading licks with my friends including the fantastic Ed Van Halen. It’s highly emotional, especially since Ed is sadly no longer around. We have since also lost Phil [Chen] — so the rest of us cherish these fleeting moments together.”

Get it here.

Into It. Over It. — Intersections (Reissue)

Into It. Over It.’s Intersections was a major release in the emo revival of the 2010s, and now this important album is ten years old. So, it just got pressed on vinyl for the first time in years and Into It. Over It. is going to spend some time on the road celebrating the album with live shows this fall.

Get it here.

Wednesday — Original Series Soundtrack

It may not feel like it quite yet, but Halloween is just around the corner. That makes now the perfect time to grab the new vinyl edition of the Wednesday soundtrack. Danny Elfman and Chris Bacon’s music comes pressed on striking “purple goth with smokey shadow” vinyl alongside big, gorgeous art from the hit show.

Get it here.

Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

The Best Vinyl Releases Of June 2023

June 30, 2023 by newhiphopnews

Janelle Monáe — The Age Of Pleasure

https://t.co/buCu46MoOo pic.twitter.com/RJf1zQCdGw

— Janelle Monáe (@JanelleMonae) June 1, 2023

The Age Of Pleasure was definitely the most-talked-about album of June, due in part to Monáe’s racy rollout and in part to the music just being excellent. In the video above, Monáe shows off the striking vinyl edition, which features warm alternate cover art and a gigantic painting of breasts on the inside.

Get it here.

Waylon Jennings — The Story Of Waylon Jennings

As part of its Anthology series, Vinyl Me, Please is revisiting an iconic Waylon Jennings run, from 1973 to 1981, with an eight-album box set. It’s a must-have for fans, as it comes alongside 28 pages of listening notes and even a podcast that dives into Jennings’ storied career as one of country’s biggest icons.

Get it here.

Otis Redding — Otis Forever: The Albums & Singles (1968-1970)

Redding tragically died in a 1967 plane crash, but the music kept flowing after that. Four posthumous albums were released from 1968 to 1970, including the beloved The Dock Of The Bay. That and more has been compiled in a new box set (limited to only 1,000 copies), which features the four albums and mono versions of 24 singles from the albums.

Get it here.

Willie Nelson — The Great Divide (Reissue)

willie nelson great divide — Lost Highway

Willie Nelson is 90 years old and not stopping, as he has Bluegrass, a new album (his 151st!), on the way soon. For now, though, it’s time to look back with a quick series of reissues. First up is 2002’s The Great Divide, which features collaborations with folks like Sheryl Crow, Rob Thomas, Alison Krauss, and others.

Get it here.

Bob Dylan — Shadow Kingdom (Reissue)

At 82 years old, Bob Dylan is showing no signs of slowing. He just dropped Shadow Kingdom, his 40th album, in early June, and it features new recordings of songs from the first half of Dylan’s esteemed career, along with a new instrumental track, “Sierra’s Theme.” The reinterpretations stem from Dylan’s 2021 concert film, Shadow Kingdom: The Early Songs Of Bob Dylan.

Get it here.

Madonna — Finally Enough Love: The Rainbow Edition

Last summer, Madonna dropped Finally Enough Love: 50 Number Ones, a retrospective box set that offers a great overview of her pop dominance. She decided to revive the project here in Pride Month by re-dubbing it Finally Enough Love: The Rainbow Edition. Naturally, the vinyl it’s pressed on comes in a variety of vibrant colors, making it an awesome way to celebrate.

Get it here.

Passion Pit — Gossamer (10th Anniversary Reissue)

Gossamer was a huge moment for Passion Pit, as the 2012 sophomore album vaulted the group into the mainstream conversation with a No. 4 peak on the Billboard 200 chart and the multi-platinum single “Take A Walk.” They’re a bit late but the new 10th-anniversary reissue is still appreciated, and fans will love this: The reissue features “American Blood” and “Almost There,” both of which were previously only available as bonus tracks on the 2012 Japanese CD release.

Get it here.

Flaming Lips — Hypnotist

Included on Flaming Lips’ 6-CD Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots 20th Anniversary Box Set was a collection of four fan-favorite tracks only officially available as part of that release. Now, they’ve been given their first-ever vinyl release on a new standalone collection, pressed on lovely pink vinyl.

Get it here.

TLC — CrazySexyCool and FanMail (Vinyl Me, Please Reissues)

Much has been made about the 50th anniversary of hip-hop in 2023, and part of Sony’s celebrations include teaming up with Vinyl Me, Please for some fresh reissues. For the occasion, TLC’s two biggest albums, FanMail and CrazySexyCool, are getting new releases, and the former even comes with a 7-inch.

Get it here.

Alex G — Live From Union Transfer

Towards the end of 2022, Alex G wrapped up a headlining tour with three sold-out hometown shows at Philadelphia’s Union Transfer. Now he’s sourced a new live album from those performances, but vinyl isn’t just the best way to hear it: It’s the only way, as the 14-track Live From Union Transfer isn’t currently set to be released on any format besides LP.

Get it here.

Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

The Best Vinyl Releases Of May 2023

May 31, 2023 by newhiphopnews

Tame Impala — Lonerism (10 Year Anniversary Box Set)

Tame Impala defined psychedelic rock in the early 2010s and Kevin Parker’s sophomore effort, 2012’s Lonerism, was a big part of that. The album turns 10 this year, so it’s being reissued as a 3-LP box set that includes goodies like a 24-page booklet and previously unheard demo sessions.

Get it here.

ABBA — Ring Ring (50th Anniversary Reissue)

Before ABBA was ABBA, they were Björn & Benny, Agnetha & Frida. Under that name, they released their debut album, 1973’s Ring Ring. That was 50 years ago, and half a century later, the project has been pressed on vinyl for a fresh rerelease, giving a new generation the chance to experience the launch of an enduring phenomenon.

Get it here.

Sun Ra & His Arkestra — Space Is The Place: Music From The Original Soundtrack

Back in the ’70s, Sun Ra recorded the soundtrack for the movie Space Is The Place. It took decades for the soundtrack to get a proper release as an album, and now the definitive version of it is here with a new vinyl reissue. In addition to the album, this edition comes with the movie on BluRay and DVD, a tote bag, and a pizza box-style box to house everything.

Get it here.

The Exploding Hearts — Guitar Romantic (Expanded & Remastered)

exploding hearts vinyl — Third Man Records

The Exploding Hearts ended tragically after three of the band’s members died in a van accident. They did manage one well-received album, though: 2003’s Guitar Romantic. Third Man Records just reissued the album as an “Expanded & Remastered” edition: along with the original remastered album are a few new mixes of select songs.

Get it here.

Lucy Dacus — Historian (5th Anniversary Reissue)

It feels like Lucy Dacus has been around for forever, but her breakout sophomore album Historian only just came out five years ago in 2018. She’s taking a moment to celebrate the project with a vinyl reissue, which is pressed on vibrant red vinyl and comes with Dacus’ first draft of the album art.

Get it here.

Daft Punk — Random Access Memories (10th Anniversary Reissue)

It’s really been ten years since Daft Punk released what would end up being their final album, Random Access Memories. While the duo is no longer active, they’ve been busy with a fresh reissue. There are a lot of goodies here, including an unreleased Julian Casablancas collaboration and some demos with Pharrell.

Get it here.

Death Cab For Cutie — Transatlanticism (Vinyl Me, Please Reissue)

Transatlanticism was an iconic release for Death Cab, so it’s worth honoring 20 years later. Vinyl Me, Please is doing so with a killer reissue, which is pressed on red marble vinyl and comes with a listening notes booklet from Sean Nelson, who contributed some vocals to the album.

Get it here.

Paul Simon — Seven Psalms

Paul Simon is 81 years old and still trying different musically: His new album is totally acoustic and it’s one multi-section song that runs for 33 minutes. It’s quite the concept and one that’ll come across beautifully on a turntable.

Get it here.

John Coltrane — Coltrane’s Sound (Reissue)

The Rhino label has launched Rhino High Fidelity, a new series of high-quality vinyl pressings. They’re kicking things off big with reissues of The Cars’ self-titled 1978 debut album and John Coltrane’s 1964 release Coltrane’s Sound. The series will unveil two new installments every quarter, and all of them will be limited to 5,000 numbered copies.

Get it here.

Animal Collective — Spirit They’re Gone, Spirit They’ve Vanished (Reissue)

Animal Collective started their journey to defining experimental indie music in the 2000s with 2000’s Spirit They’re Gone, Spirit They’ve Vanished, back when it was just Avey Tare and Panda Bear. There’s a new reissue and on top of the remastered album and new artwork, there’s also A Night At Mr. Raindrop’s Holistic Supermarket, a bonus EP containing five previously unreleased bonus tracks.

Get it here.

Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

The Best Vinyl Releases Of April 2023

April 28, 2023 by newhiphopnews

Whatever you might be into, each April brings a new slew of vinyl releases that has something for everybody. Some stand out above the rest, naturally, so check out some of our favorite vinyl releases of April below.

Get it here.

Jai Paul — Leak 04-13 (Bait Ones)

It’s not often we hear much from Jai Paul, but he just played Coachella and he also has a fresh new vinyl release. It’s a pressing of Leak 04-13 (Bait Ones), the officially released version of Paul’s famously leaked set of demos from 2013. This is the first time the set has ever been made available on vinyl and only 3,000 copies were made available, so it’s a must-have for Jai Paul die-hards.

Get it here.

Warren Zevon — Excitable Boy (Reissue)

warren zevon vinyl — Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab

45 years ago, in 1978, the now-late Warren Zevon dropped what would become his signature album, Excitable Boy. For this reissue (which features classics like “Werewolves Of London” and the title track), the album was remastered from the original analog master tapes and pressed on 180g 45 RPM vinyl, making this edition an audiophile’s dream.

Get it here.

Rudimental — Home (10th Anniversary Reissue)

Rudimental is a beloved UK dance music institution now, but it all started with 2013’s Home. It’s been a decade since that debut album dropped, so now there’s a new anniversary edition that includes a number of new remixes made specially for this reissue.

Get it here.

The White Stripes — Elephant (Deluxe)

Jack White and the folks at Third Man Records know their way around vinyl, so their new deluxe reissue of the White Stripes classic Elephant is one to behold. It’s pressed on beautiful clear, colored, smoky vinyl, which is home to beloved tunes like “Seven Nation Army” and “The Hardest Button To Button.”

Get it here.

Aesop Rock and Blockhead — Garbology Instrumentals and The Recycling Bin

Aesop Rock and Blockhead have formed a strong partnership over the years, and now the rapper and producer are bringing a pair of their projects to vinyl for the first time. Garbology Instrumentals is an instrumental version (duh) of the pair’s 2021 album, while The Recycling Bin is a companion EP featuring Blockhead remixes of Aesop songs that Blockhead previously wasn’t involved with.

Get it here.

Love And Rockets — Earth, Sun, Moon (Reissue) and Love And Rockets (Reissue)

love rockets vinyl — Beggars Banquet/Big Time

’80s English rock group Love And Rockets (which rose from the ashes of Bauhaus) is in the midst of some catalogue reissues and April brought a pair of new ones. Both albums — Earth, Sun, Moon and the self-titled one — come on classic black vinyl and the latter includes their best-known song, the top-three hit “So Alive.”

Get Earth, Sun, Moon here. Get Love And Rockets here.

Violent Femmes — Violent Femmes (Reissue)

Record Store Day was this month and Craft Recordings came through with a number of reissues, including a new picture disc to mark the 40th anniversary of Violent Femmes’ self-titled album. Aside from being a gorgeous piece to look at, it features favorites like “Blister in the Sun” and “Please Do Not Go.”

Get it here.

Paul McCartney And Wings — Red Rose Speedway (50th Anniversary Reissue)

Speaking of Record Store Day, Paul McCartney And Wings made the day count with a 50th anniversary rerelease of Red Rose Speedway. This edition will sound as good as possible thanks to the half-speed remastering treatment the LP received. This was the first Wings album to top the charts in the US, so if you don’t have any of the McCartney group in your vinyl library, this reissue is a good place to start.

Get it here.

GoldLink — At What Cost (Vinyl Me, Please Reissue)

At What Cost was a strong and well-received debut for GoldLink back in 2017. Vinyl Me, Please is celebrating the project in 2023 with a lovely new reissue, which is pressed on 2-LP orange and blue galaxy vinyl and comes with newly written listening notes.

Get it here.

Metallica — 72 Seasons

Metallica have been at it for over 40 years now, and on their new album 72 Seasons, it really sounds like James Hetfield and company truly haven’t lost a step. All the new fans they gained after their Stranger Things sync last year are in for a treat with this exceptional LP.

Get it here.