RECORD STORE DAY'S GIFT GUIDE 2024

Nala Sinephro – Endlessness (Warp)

There’s something undeniably magical about stepping into a record shop and discovering an album like Nala Sinephro’s Endlessness. The London-based composer’s second LP blends lush, atmospheric textures with dynamic improvisation, creating a deeply immersive listening experience. While it explores profound themes like the cycles of death and rebirth, its soothing soundscapes also make it perfect for those just looking to unwind. It’s an album that has really resonated with record shops across the UK, earning Endlessness its well-deserved spot as our Album of the Year! 

Here’s what some of our shops had to say about it:

Endlessness is an album you could leave on your turntable forever, pretty appropriate given the title! A 45 minute ultra cosmic / zen jazz odyssey, essential listening that should be prescribed to anyone needing a bit of a mental cleanse. It’s been a great year new music wise, but after a busy 12 months, this is the album we needed the most! Sticky Black Tarmac

In a restless world Nala Sinephro's Endlessness provided just the calm needed. Its electronic textures and jazzy grooves wash over the listener without ever being boring. Sound Records

Gorgeous, lush layers on this contemporary jazz classic. Pie & Vinyl

Fontaines D.C. - Romance (XL)

Fontaines D.C.'s fourth album, Romance, represents a turning point, pushing the Dublin band from underground favourites to alt-rock prominence. Its bold themes - mixing raw personal emotions with existential reflection - have made it a favourite in record shops across the UK!

Fontaines D.C. are supposed to be a post-punk band. On their 4th studio album prove that they can deliver a melodic, anthemic, full of undeniable pop-infused LP which you want to play again, again and again...

Vinyl Eddie

Fontaines DC have always been massively popular in the shop with staff and customers alike, but there’s no doubt that ‘Romance’ sets them on course to be the biggest band in the world.

Piccadilly Records

Amyl & The Sniffers - Cartoon Darkness (Rough Trade)

Melbourne’s Amyl & The Sniffers pushed the boundaries of punk rock with their latest album, Cartoon Darkness. Famed for their explosive energy and bonkers lyrics, the band stayed true to their unapologetic style while experimenting with bold new sounds - winning over record shops across the nation along the way. Don’t miss the exclusive Rough Trade release, the Cartoon Black Edition, available on sleek black vinyl. A must-have for any punk fan.

The Aussie punks bring unmatched, blistering energy to an album that stands out for both its evolved production and bold exploration of new sonic territory.  

Rough Trade 

Ezra Collective – Dance, No One’s Watching (Partisan)

There were no signs of post-Mercury Prize fatigue from London’s jazz five-piece. If anything, the grooves hit harder, the horns were bolder, and the hooks were even more infectious. Celebrating music’s power to bring people together and make us dance like nobody’s watching, this album, and its impeccable vibes, became a favourite among independent record shops nationwide.

Ezra Collective's latest oozes pure joy and fun - a totally infectious cool party vibe. Full of positivity and love, this record belongs in everyone’s collection to cover all of your dancing needs. 

Rough Trade Bristol

An album with more sophisticated sounds and some great grooves. 

Dead Sea Records

The Cure - Songs Of A Lost World (Polydor)

The Cure’s first album in 16 years was everything fans could have hoped for. Songs Of a Lost World channelled The Cure’s signature sound, exploring themes of death, loss, and memory that feel as raw and powerful as they did back in 1979. Grab a copy of the specialist retail exclusive Grey Marbled Bio Vinyl edition from your favourite independent record shop and celebrate the greatest comeback of the year!

You can also revisit our exclusive track by track breakdown of the album from Robert Smith here!

The Cure did something incredibly rare with Songs of a Lost World – the album brought every single member of staff to one conclusion. And that was that it’s absolutely brilliant. 

Wax and Beans

Jack White – No Name (Third Man)

Looking for a rock fan’s dream gift? Jack White’s No Name has you covered. It first popped up as a surprise on unmarked white vinyl at White’s own Third Man Records before hitting shelves everywhere. Record shops say it’s his best since the White Stripes days – the perfect gift for rock fans!

I loved this album because in the words of Al Pacino in The Godfather part 3, 'Just when I thought I was out, he pulls me back in.' 

Thorne Records

Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds – Wild God (Bad Seed)

A staple in record shops for decades, Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds showed no signs of slowing down on album number eighteen. Recorded at Miraval Studios in France, the former prince of darkness found euphoria despite it all, on an album of contagious wild joy!

An absolute emotional rollercoaster of spiritual upliftment, humour, anger, reconciliation - Wild God is our album of the year, beautiful! 

Bending Sound

Jamie XX – In Waves (Young)

Jamie XX’s second solo album lived up to the hype. With a star-studded cast of collaborators from Panda Bear, Robyn, Romy, Oliver Sim, and The Avalanches, it appealed to both dance fans and a wider audience. The album is a tribute to the healing power of dance music, blending infectious beats and slick production with emotional depth that resonated with record shops across the country.

Mr. XX imbues this record with a soul rarely heard breaking out across darkened and heaving dancefloors. Saturated in delectable melodies and stamped with uplifting grooves – that it hits so hard yet remains so limb-propelling is no mean feat.

Resident

Makes you dance around the shop, badly.

Wax & Beans