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On Apr. 20, record stores around the world will be celebrating Record Story Day, a biannual music event that celebrates small businesses and physical media. To celebrate, I’ve written a list of four albums that you should look for during this year’s first Record Store Day.
My first recommendation comes from this year’s Record Store Day Ambassadors. After a five-year hiatus, “This Is Why” by Paramore was a classic on arrival. Though the band is always reinventing itself, now more than ever as they go independent, their quality has remained consistent across decades and iterations. That quality is most evident in their last record, an alt-rock album that is wicked yet brief.
While not as aggressive as their earlier work, and a large departure from the electronic sounds of their prior album “After Laughter”, “This Is Why” feels at once like an acknowledgment of the past, and a testament to the future. The band impresses with the same memorable riffs and cutting lyrics that defined them in their early years. Whether you still identify as a scene kid or not, the album packs enough of a punch to appeal to any ear.
Indie pop band Men I Trust did not think they were going to be able to tour their last album because of the Covid-19 pandemic. Hence the name, “Untourable Album”. Though, since its release in 2021 they’ve been on the road. The group released a video in February announcing that they would soon be taking a break from tour to work on their fifth album, which has yet to be named.
Before their next project, it would be a good idea to check out “Untourable Album”. It draws listeners in with a psychedelic sound reminiscent of Slowdive, though with a much warmer edge. Tracks like “Tree Among Shrubs” and “5 a.m. Waltz” is a perfect addition to any summer playlist, and shows why the band is a stand-out in the indie scene.
Versatile producer KennyBeats, known for working with artists like Rico Nasty and Denzel Curry, released his first solo record “Louie” in 2022. Titled after his family nickname, the record is an abstract representation of his relationship with his father. The album is a head-nod-inducing beat tape, with a few vocal features from rapper JPEGMafia and singer Remi Wolf.
The record has been described by Kenny as not about love or hate for his dad, but rather the complexity of his relationship with his father and their history together. The album holds a lot of emotional weight but is open for the listener to interpret, so that it may comfort as needed. “Louie” is hopeful and carries a playful sound that wastes no time producing smiles. If you’re looking for original production and a sound for the summer, look no further than this infectious album.
In a time where rap dominates the airwaves, sibling soft rock band Infinity Song has come to offer a softer sound to counter the mainstream and has landed a deal with Roc Nation in the process. Their melodic third album, “Metamorphosis”, has launched them into the public eye, and rightfully so.
The album features seven songs, including “Hater’s Anthem”, which trended on TikTok last year, and a cover of Fleetwood Mac’s “Dreams”. If you can appreciate the slow-paced music that’s oozing with honesty and unity, then you should definitely look for their music at your local record store.
For more details on how Record Store Day is being celebrated near you, and to keep up with any wide releases and adjacent events, readers can visit the organization’s website recordstoreday.com.
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