Record Store Day 2024 is today! Shop exclusive vinyls, record players, and more

With 10 years of listening to vinyl and around 100 albums to my name, I know a thing or two about collecting records. Once the only way to instantly listen to music from the comfort of your home, vinyl records were supplanted by cassettes, CDs, and, eventually, streaming. While vinyl had all but gone the way of the dodo for a time, it has experienced a resurgence in the last decade, earning a spot among the most popular music formats. Perhaps we’re drawn to the tangible aspect of vinyl in an increasingly digital world. Or maybe we just think it looks cool. Either way, Record Store Day 2024 is today, April 20 and personally, I'm ready to celebrate my love of vinyl.

Record Store Day helps support independent record stores, which continue to play a vital role in keeping interest in vinyl records alive, by offering exclusive vinyl editions you can’t get anywhere else. With the release of Taylor Swift’s Tortured Poets album on Record Store Day Eve, Swifties are sure to flock to the stores. Although there's currently no word on if she’ll have special Record Store Day 2024 vinyl releases, she does have exclusive vinyl to shop. There is a stacked lineup of confirmed artists for the big day, though! From Olivia Rodrigo teaming up with Noah Kahan to a mini turntable paired with a unique Beatles vinyl of songs from the group's first-ever Ed Sullivan TV appearance, the magic of vinyl has captured the attention of many chart-topping artists.

If you want to begin collecting vinyl records but don’t know where to start, we’re here to help. Here’s everything you need to know about Record Store Day, including what you need to get started enjoying vinyl. Happy listening!

Who is releasing music for Record Store Day 2024?

Many artists have been confirmed to release limited edition albums for Record Store Day 2024, including:

• 100 Gecs

• 2 Chainz and Lil Wayne

• The Beatles

• David Bowie

• Fleetwood Mac

• John Lennon

• Kate Bush

• Lil Uzi Vert

• Notorious B.I.G.

• Oliva Rodrigo and Noah Kahan

• Paramore

• Talking Heads

• Tom Tom Club

• The Weekend

• The Who

• U2

What will Taylor Swift release on Record Store Day 2024?

Swift’s 11th studio album, The Tortured Poets Department, dropped Friday, April 19. According to Record Store Day’s website, there will not be a Record Store Day-exclusive. It’s understandable why many have wondered if an exclusive vinyl will release. Beyond the fact that the album released right before Record Store Day, during Record Store Day 2023, Swift released a limited-edition vinyl LP of the soundtrack to the 2020 documentary, “Folklore: The Long Pond Studio Sessions,” featuring live performances from her Folklore album.

While Taylor Swift doesn’t seem to have an exclusive vinyl for Record Store Day, like Midnights before it, there are several exclusive vinyl of The Tortured Poets Department, featuring a different bonus track on each one.

What to buy for Record Store Day

A record player

Turntable, vinyl player, record player, deck — whatever you call it, it will be the focal point of your vinyl listening experience, seeing as there’s no listening to records without it. There are many record players to choose from and if you’re just getting started, it can be overwhelming figuring out which one is right for you. For your convenience, we’ve narrowed it down to our two favorite picks.

Fluance RT82

Out of the record players we’ve tested, Fluance RT82 is the best. It’s a perfect entry-level turntable for aspiring vinyl aficionados. Like higher-end turntables, it requires a bit of setup and while it doesn’t come with a built-in pre-amp, we think it’s worth the sacrifice considering how inexpensive it is. The RT82 holds its weight against pricier turntables, boasting rich and full sound at only $300 dollars (for comparison, many “budget” or “beginner-friendly” turntables are double this price). Plus, it’s sturdy design is simple without being stark unlike many other turntables, making it a great statement piece.

Victrola 6-in-1

Turntables can be a lot of work — many require setup and external accessories that can quickly ratchet up the price. If you’re just getting started with record players and are looking for something simple that’s ready to use straight out of the box, I personally recommend the Victrola 6-in-1.

There’s a lot to love here. The first thing you’ll notice is the price — the 6-in-1 is among the most affordable record players on the market. There’s minimal setup and the built-in speakers give you a beautiful sound right out of the box. Aesthetics are important for many vinyl enthusiasts and this retro-styled player is the most beautiful I’ve laid eyes on. Plus, it also plays CDs, cassette tapes, radio stations, and streams Bluetooth audio, making it a great overall entertainment center. My 6-in-1 has been through three moves, and it sounds just as good as the day I got it four years ago. The audio quality might not reach the heights of higher end decks, but it’s perfect for more casual vinyl enthusiasts.

Pre-amp

Some record players (such as our favorite) will require you to raise their volume using a pre-amp. Without one, you’ll be limited to the just sound of the needle on the grooves itself — it’s admittedly kind of cool, but it doesn’t make for a great long-term listening experience.

Pyle’s Phono Turntable Preamp is a popular preamp available on Amazon. It has over 4,000 five-star reviews, with buyers praising the pre-amp’s low price and sound quality.

Speakers

For even louder audio, we recommend using speakers. While soundbars will also work in a pinch, for a more immersive, surround sound experience, we recommend setting up a pair of speakers, properly spaced apart, of course. Fluance, the same brand responsible for our favorite record player also sells speakers. Buyers love these speakers because of their value and sound quality.

Vinyl storage

Now that you have your turntable set up, you’ll need a way to store and display all the cool vinyl you’ll be buying. While many have made do with storing their hauls in milk crates, if you’re looking for something more furniture-y, I personally recommend Lelelinky’s turntable shelves. Not only do they offer a way to store your vinyl while showing them off, but their shelves also double as a stand for your turntable. There are several different designs and colors to choose from, meaning you’re sure to find one that fits your storage needs while matching your aesthetic.

Carrying case

Listening to music can be a highly communal experience and this is particularly true for vinyl. You may find yourself surprised just how often you’re hauling records to and fro. Perhaps you’re getting together with a friend who has a record player of their own; in my case, I’m often taking vinyl to my favorite bar for its weekly Bring Your Own Records Night.

No matter why you’re transporting your records, you’ll want to do so in a sturdy carrying case such as this one from Victrola. I’ve had this carrying case for years and love it for its build quality, cool design, and latch which seems it locked while being carried.

Replacement needles

The needles responsible for transmitting the sound of your record player will wear down with time. To ensure you always have access to the best audio quality, we recommend keeping a few replacement needles on-hand. There are many replacement needles to choose from including these ones sold by Victrola, a quality record-player manufacturer.

45 adaptor

When you hear “vinyl,” you likely picture large, 12-inch discs, but this is only half the story when it comes to vinyl. Another common type of vinyl is the 7-inch disc. These are often called 45s (after the number of times these discs rotate per minute when listened to at a normal speed) and you’ll need to put an insert in the center of your turntable to listen to them properly

45 adaptors can be a collection in and of themselves, with many cool designs to choose from. The most iconic 45 adaptor design is the “Recoton” adaptor. It just “screams” vinyl and it’s hard not to want it even if you don’t plan on getting 45s.

Record cleaning kit

Some of us enjoy the snap, crackle and pop that you get when a record has a bit of dust. That said, the sound isn’t too much for everyone and too much debris can seriously compromise playback. To keep your record nice and clean, keep a cleaning kit near your turntable. Vinyl Buddy sells a cleaning kit that comes with a velvet brush, a microfiber brush, a stylish brush, and cleaning fluid. Buyers love this set for its low price and its effectiveness at cleaning records.

Record sleeves

While it’s helpful to have a cleaning kit, you can also stop dust from getting onto your vinyl altogether using record sleeves. There are two types of sleeves to consider — outer sleeves and inner sleeves.

Outer sleeves are sleeves designed to fit around the dust jacket of a vinyl. Many record stores will sell vinyl in an outer sleeve, while others don’t. Check your local shop to see what they do before buying outer sleeves.

I prefer inner sleeves, which go inside the dust jacket, around the disc itself. For one using outer sleeves can make the spine of the dust jacket harder to read and can add a lot of bulk to your shelf — both of which make storing records vertically a nightmare. Second, most of the gunk on a disc will, ironically, come from a deteriorating dust jacket or paper sleeve, making them more helpful in protecting your record.

What is Record Store Day?

Started in 2007, Record Store Day is an annual celebration of independent record stores. For the occasion, various artists and labels will release exclusive vinyl discs and sets that can only be bought at local record stores.

When is Record Store Day 2024?

Record Store Day 2024 is on Saturday, April 20.

Who are the Record Store Day 2024 ambassadors?

Record Store Day 2024 has two ambassadors — Paramore and Kate Bush.