The Best Record Store Day Releases for 2023

Another new year means one thing: time to get excited about 2023 Record Store Day releases!  With Record Store Day right around the corner, I figured I’d share the top releases I’m most excited about.

Record Store Day Releases 2023

1) Frou Frou’s “Off Cuts”

I was walking in a store recently (I can’t remember which one, but I think it was a grocery store), and they were playing Frou Frou’s “Must Be Dreaming.”  It reminded me how much I enjoyed their now 20-year-old album Details (come on—who can’t get enough of “Let Go”?!).

Now “Off Cuts” isn’t a traditional album—it’s going to feature a bunch of highly coveted demos.  But considering the offerings from Frou Frou have been so sparse over the years (ya boy is talking Lauryn Hill sparse, you get me?), it’s still something I’m looking forward to nonetheless.  There will 3000 of these available.

2) Raphael Saadiq “The Way I See It”

Now this is one that’s been out of print forever.  If you love Neo soul that’s a throwback to old soul music, you’ll definitely want to check out this highly impressive work of art by Raphael Saadiq. 

What’s also fun about this album is that it’s going to come on red vinyl, as well (and I’m always down for colored vinyl records).  If you’re interested in this one, there’s only 2000 being pressed.  It’s not super limited (some albums are only getting 500 pressings), but it’s not something like the Ramones’ “Pleasant Dreams,” which will have 7500 made.  So just be properly prepared.

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3) The Midnight: Red, White and Bruised

I’ve made it pretty known how much I’ve been loving synthwave music lately (be sure to check out my best synthwave albums list if you haven’t already), so the fact that Record Store Day will produce the band’s first ever live recordings on vinyl is pretty great. 

This is going to feature a gatefold jacket with a cool hologram effect, as well.  Only 1300 of these are going to be made, so you may need to act fairly fast.

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4) Joan Jett and the Blackhearts’ “Up Your Alley”

If you need a nice dose of rock into your life, then check out this sixth album from Joan Jett and the Blackhearts.  What’s cool about this one is that it’s going to come on lemonade yellow colored vinyl.  This album features the song “I Hate Myself for Loving You.”  Only 2200 will be made.

5) E-40’s “Revenue Retrievin’ – Day Shift

If you love E-40, and you’re a massive hip hop fan, then you’re going to want to get this.  Not only is this going to be pressed on metallic gold vinyl (gimme that sexy gold wax), but this will be the first time this album has ever been made available on vinyl. 

This hip hop release features artists like Too $hort and Gucci Mane.  It’s also the only release on this list that does NOT have a limited quality number attached—so this probably won’t be too hard to get.

When Is Record Store Day 2023?

Record Store Day 2023 will occur on April 22nd, 2023.  

What Record Store Day Album Has the Highest Quantity?

That would be “Folklore: The Long Pond Studio Sessions” by Taylor Swift.  A mind boggling 75,000 records will be pressed and made available on April 22nd, 2023.

What Record Store Day Album is the Most Limited?

It looks like Donovan Woods’ “Not A Greatest Hits” album will be the most limited on Record Store Day.  Only 200 records will be pressed.  

Record Store Day Participating Stores

You can find all of the Record Store Day participating stores here.  They typically range from being chain stores like Bull Moose or Newbury Comics to being small independent record shops.

What’s the Difference Between RSD Exclusives and RSD First?

This may seem confusing on the surface, but trust me, it’s quite simple.  Record Store Day Exclusives are going to be vinyl records that independent record stores will be physically selling in their shops. 

Record Store Day First means that these vinyl records are going to be found first at indie record shops, but may eventually find their way to other retailers in the near future.

Record Store Day 2023 Full List

If you’d like a full list of the Record Store Day 2023 releases, be sure to go here. 

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