Record Store Day (RSD) is almost here! This Saturday, April 18, 2026, music fans will be lining up outside their local independent shops to snag some of the year’s most exclusive and experimental pressings.
With Bruno Mars serving as the 2026 RSD Ambassador and Robert Plant recently named a Record Store Legend, the energy behind this year’s list is massive. Here is a look at the most anticipated and popular records hitting the shelves this weekend.
The Heavy Hitters & Modern Pop
As usual, the biggest names in pop and alternative music are driving the longest lines.
Taylor Swift – “Elizabeth Taylor” (7-inch Purple Vinyl): Perhaps the most requested title this year. This limited-edition 7-inch is expected to be the first to sell out at most locations.
Bruno Mars – The Collaborations: The 2026 Ambassador is releasing a curated compilation featuring his massive joint hits, including “Uptown Funk,” “Die with a Smile,” and “APT.”
**Charli XCX – “party 4 u” (7-inch Vinyl): Following the massive success of her recent projects, this physical release of a fan-favorite track is a top priority for collectors.
**Paramore – All We Know Is Falling (Deluxe Edition): An expanded version of their debut, pressed as a deluxe red double LP.
Long-Awaited Rarities
Record Store Day is often the only time “mythical” or long-out-of-print albums finally see the light of day.
Slipknot – Look Outside Your Window: This is the big one for metal fans. A long-mythologized passion project from Corey Taylor, Jim Root, Sid Wilson, and Clown, it is finally getting an official release.
Muse – Early EPs: For the first time in years, Muse is bringing back their long-out-of-print early EPs from before their mainstream breakthrough.
Ethel Cain – Inbred: Marking its first-ever vinyl pressing, this is a “must-have” for indie collectors who have been waiting for her early discography to hit wax.
Flying Lotus – 1983: His 2006 debut has been out of print for ages; it returns this Saturday via his own Brainfeeder label.
Classic Rock & Legends
Robert Plant – Saving Grace: All That Glitters: The newly minted “Record Store Legend” releases an exclusive EP with his band Saving Grace, featuring covers of traditional folk and Gillian Welch tracks.
**David Bowie – “Hallo Spaceboy” (Neon Pink 12-inch): A collection of six remixes (including the Pet Shop Boys mixes) from the Outside era, appearing together on vinyl for the first time.
Bruce Springsteen – The Live Album: A massive 5-LP box set of live recordings, along with a clear-vinyl 2xLP set from the Chrome Hearts tour.
The Cure – Acoustic Hits & Greatest Hits: Robert Smith has remastered these classics specifically for this event, with Acoustic Hits appearing on “silver bio” vinyl.
Grateful Dead – Boston Music Hall, Boston, MA 6/11/76
Format: 5-LP Box Set
Label: Rhino
Release Type: RSD Exclusive
This is the “big one” for 2026. This 5-LP set captures a legendary performance from the 1976 June comeback tour. The show is famous for its intimate theater feel and unique setlist, including a stellar “St. Stephen > Not Fade Away > St. Stephen” sequence and a beautiful “Mission in the Rain.”
Grateful Dead – On A Back Porch, Vol. 3
Format: 180-gram Black Vinyl LP
Label: Rhino
Quantity: 5,500 copies
Continuing the collaboration with Dogfish Head Brewery, this third volume is curated specifically for a “back porch” vibe. It’s a single LP featuring hand-picked live tracks produced for release by the band’s archivist, David Lemieux.
Tracklist Highlights:
Side A: “Samson and Delilah” (6/18/76), “Rockin’ Pneumonia and the Boogie Woogie Flu” (5/72), and “Around and Around” (4/24/78).
Side B: “Cold Rain and Snow” (10/12/84), “Cumberland Blues” (5/2/70), and “Touch of Grey” (7/4/89).
Bonus: Jerry Garcia & Friends
If you’re expanding your search to the wider Dead family, keep an eye out for these related titles:
Jerry Jeff Walker – Navajo Rug (35th Anniversary): Pressed on Deep Orange vinyl, which often appeals to fans of the cosmic cowboy/Dead scene.
Vince Guaraldi – It’s Arbor Day, Charlie Brown / Charlie Brown’s All Stars!: A 2-LP set for those who appreciate the jazzier, improvisational roots that often overlap with Deadhead tastes.
Pro-Tips for Saturday
Check the List: Not every store carries every title. Many shops post their specific inventory on social media the night before.
Arrive Early: For titles like Taylor Swift or Slipknot, “opening time” is often too late. Be prepared for a queue.
Local Flavor: Beyond the exclusives, many stores use this day to host live music or offer discounts on used stock.
