May 2024 Vinyl Releases
May 2024 Vinyl Releases
Highlighting records out this month that I’m excited about. For upcoming vinyl releases sent to your inbox every month, subscribe below.
May 10th
Amen Dunes - Death Jokes
Get Vinyl: Clear
New York’s Amen Dunes returns with Death Jokes, his first since 2018’s acclaimed Freedom. While Freedom was a nod to classic rock and 2014's Love leaned into folk, Death Jokes takes a sharp turn into glitchy electronica. It's a complete departure from his previous work, but I'm digging the new vibe so far. Exhibit A is the almost ten minute single “Round the World,” which has a lot going on.
How To Dress Well - I Am Toward You
Get Vinyl: Cloudy Orange
On Tom Krell’s new album I Am Toward You, his first release in nearly six years, Krell wanted to get back to the open-hearted music-making of his youth. Echoing the vibe of his classic PBR&B debut, 2010's Love Remains, he rummaged through hundreds of past snippets over the last decade. From these, he unearthed samples and audio bits that melded into an album with a stripped-back vibe, yet promises to be his noisiest, freest, and most poetic work to date.
Incubus - Morning View XXIII
Get Vinyl: Blue | Black
Morning View XXIII is a re-recording and reimagining of Incubus' iconic 2001 album, Morning View. The band wanted to honor the album's legacy while rethinking the songs as seasoned musicians who have been playing them live for the past 23 years.
Sturgill Simpson - Metamodern Sounds in Country Music
Get Vinyl: Black
Sturgill Simpson is dropping a 10th Anniversary edition of his game-changing album, Metamodern Sounds in Country Music, which was crowned the #1 album of last decade by Saving Country Music. Experience Sturgill’s breakthrough in style via this collector's gem on 180 gram black vinyl with an updated artwork.
May 17th
Beth Gibbons - Lives Outgrown
Get Vinyl: Black
One of my most anticipated albums of the year is Portishead frontwoman Beth Gibbons’ solo debut album Lives Outgrown, featuring 10 beautiful songs recorded over a period of 10 years.
Billie Eilish - Hit Me Hard and Soft
Get Vinyl: Red | Blue | Milky White
Riding high on her Grammy and Oscar wins for the smash hit “What Was I Made For?” from Barbie, Billie Eilish hits us with her third album, Hit Me Hard and Soft. There will be listening parties at record stores and AMC Theatres across North America on May 16 and 17.
Cage the Elephant - Neon Pill
Get Vinyl: Sweetart | Black
Neon Pill by Cage The Elephant is a long time coming, their first blast of new tunes since Social Cues snagged Best Rock Album at the 2019 GRAMMY Awards.
Guster - Ooh La La
Get Vinyl: Pink | Mint Green
Boston rock band and friend of the Twitter Guster return with their first album in five years. The four singles released sound like it will be worth the wait.
Also save the date for August 9-11 in Portland, Maine with Guster’s On the Ocean Festival, featuring Grace Potter, Kevin Morby, Toad the Wet Sprocket, and more.
Modest Mouse - Good News for People Who Love Bad News
Get Vinyl: Baby Pink and Spring Green
Is “Float On” one of the greatest indie rock tracks of all-time? I’m willing to debate it. “Float On” is sandwiched between “The World At Large” and “Ocean Breathes Salty,” three bangers that make Good News… such a revered record.
The 20th Anniversary edition on baby pink and spring green double vinyl includes an alternative album cover, 8-page booklet, and 5 brand new remixes from the likes of Poolside, Jackknife Lee, Dan the Automator, and more.
of Montreal - Lady on the Cusp
Get Vinyl: Watermelon with Blue Splatter | Clear Sky Blue
Kevin Barnes and of Montreal are synonymous with Athens, Georgia, pumping out 19 albums since 1996 in the college-rock hub. However, this is the last of the Athens albums, as Barnes leaves for Vermont. The process of relocating from his home of nearly three decades directly inspired this album.
Shellac - To All Trains
Get Vinyl: Black
Right before publishing, Steve Albini, frontman of Shellac and indie rock icon, passed away at 61 from a heart attack. Shellac were preparing to tour their first album in a decade, To All Trains, out next Friday. I urge you to dive into Albini’s extensive discography—a testament to his profound impact on music. His loss is a heartbreaking blow to the music community.
The Sundays - Reading, Writing & Arithmetic
Get Vinyl: Black
Picture a dreamy blend of Cocteau Twins and The Smiths, and you've got The Sundays' 1990 classic, Reading, Writing, & Arithmetic. Fans have been clamoring for a reissue, and Interscope has finally delivered, saving us all from shelling out big bucks for previous releases.
May 24th
DIIV - Frog in Boiling Water
Get Vinyl: Melting Amber | Red | Green | Black
I'm hyped for Brooklyn rock/shoegaze band DIIV (pronounced "Dive") and their fourth album, Frog in Boiling Water. Already got my vinyl pre-ordered and can't wait to jam out with the fellas. Don’t miss their SNL-inspired music video and parody commercial below.
Fleetwood Mac Reissues
Get Vinyl: s/t on Coke Bottle, Rumors on Purple, Tusk on Clear
The new incarnation of Fleetwood Mac debuted in 1975 with Mick Fleetwood, John McVie and Christine McVie, alongside new members Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham. They would go on to make five consecutive multi-platinum albums over the next 12 years. These first three albums, the self-titled, Rumours, and Tusk, are being repressed on three different colorways at Amazon, Urban Outfitters, and Barnes & Noble.
Steely Dan - Gaucho
Get Vinyl: UHQR
One of my all-time personal favs, Steely Dan’s seventh album Gaucho, has received the definitive reissue on Analogue Productions’ Ultra High Quality Record. This 45 RPM LP release is limited to 20,000 numbered copies and mastered by the legend Bernie Grundman. This baby ain’t cheap, clocking in at a retail price of $225.
Twenty One Pilots - Clancy
Get Vinyl: Black/White Cornetto | White | Silver | Red | Black
Clancy is the anticipated seventh album by Ohio duo Twenty One Pilots. Named after the character first introduced in their fifth album, Trench, this visual album will wrap up the band's ambitious concept series that has spanned nearly a decade.
Wallows - Model
Get Vinyl: Sunset | Dusk | Orchid/Orange Crush | White
Model is the third full-length album by LA-based trio Wallows, accompanied again by prolific producer John Congleton. Their arena rock can be heard on a 38-city tour comprised of their first-ever headlining performances at stadiums like Madison Square Garden and the Kia Forum.
May 31st
Bat for Lashes - The Dream of Delphi
Get Vinyl: Marble | Black
Natasha Khan is Bat For Lashes, known for her ethereal albums featuring characters like "Laura," "Daniel," and "The Bride," takes a deeply personal turn on her sixth album—an ode to her daughter, Delphi. For the first time, Natasha delves into her own experiences, capturing the magical and occasionally melancholic moments of early motherhood.
JPEGMafia Reissues
Get Vinyl: LP! on Yellow, Veteran on Clear, All My Heroes are Cornballs on Black
Experimental rapper JPEGMafia sees his second (Veteran), third (All My Heroes Are Cornballs), and fourth (LP!) critically acclaimed albums reissued, some of which were going for hundreds of dollars.
The Marias - Submarine
Get Vinyl: Iceberg | Iridescent White
The Marias’ sophomore album Submarine wasn’t really on my radar; I found their debut pretty forgettable. But, hold up—these new singles have totally flipped the script. With the infectious "Run Your Mouth" and the moody atmosphere of "No One Noticed," I'm officially tuning in.