As our annual physical-media-lovers' holiday, Record Store Day, approaches, we here at The Needle Drop took a deep dive through the release list, sifting through all the various entries from all corners of the music world. We wanted to pluck out a small handful from the massive assemblage to point out to you, lovely readers.

So, consider this a small helping hand extended to you, if you find yourself overwhelmed by the magnitude of Record Store Day. If you're not sure where to start, perhaps consider one of these 12 exclusive RSD releases as an entry point to the day.

I think we've got a little something for everyone here, so, without further ado...

Let's go!!

Charli XCX - Number 1 Angel [Atlantic Records]

Maybe it’s a partially utilitarian pick for a favorite RSD release, but the world simply needs more copies of Charli XCX records. Just look at the prices for the initial pressing of her Number 1 Angel mixtape, and you’ll get what we mean. Vroom Vroom represents the beginning of the Charli we’ve come to know, but Number 1 Angel solidified that her new sound wasn’t going to be a one-off ordeal. She stuck with her production team, most notably PC Music alumni A.G. Cook and Sophie, to create a tight batch of forward-thinking pop that remains one of her more underrated projects to this day. And now it's being released on "Apple colored vinyl" exclusively for Record Store Day. – Thomas Stremfel

De La Soul - Bigger / Respect [BMG]

Long Island hip-hop trio De La Soul’s album The Grind Date turned 20 last fall, and the group is celebrating with a 7" double pack containing two previously unreleased tracks; “Bigger” and “Respect”. These never-before-heard cuts were originally recorded in 2004 for their seventh studio album, whose producer credits include J Dilla and Madlib, with features from Ghostface Killah, MF DOOM, and even director Spike Lee. We got a taste of “Bigger” in January, with silky vocals from Choklate which were seemingly reworked into the song “Bigger Than You” off her self-titled album in 2006. De La Soul’s sample-heavy catalog was embroiled in clearance disputes and unavailable to stream until March 2023, shortly after the passing of founding member David Jolicoeur aka Trugoy, so any chance for De La Soul’s music to reach new ears is always exciting. The pair of vinyls will also include instrumental versions of “Rock Co. Kane Flow” and “The Future”. – Steve Acedo

Deicide - Once Upon the Cross [Real Gone Music]

As fan of metal and Florida resident myself, the Record Store Day release I’m most hyped for is Deicide's Once Upon the Cross 30th anniversary edition. Hailing from Tampa, FL — a breeding ground for death metal — Deicide carved their place alongside titans like Morbid Angel, Obituary, and Cannibal Corpse. Once Upon the Cross followed the ferocious Legion (1992) and, despite being labeled a “slow” record, still tears through nine tracks in just over 28 minutes. A relentless follow-up, this LP is essential listening for anyone looking to dive into death metal’s golden era. It won’t take long to spin, but it might leave you winded. – Lurk

Geddy Lee - The Lost Demos [Rhino]

Rush fans rejoice. Geddy Lee will release The Lost Demos, a 12’’ single with two previously unreleased tracks for Record Store Day. The two songs, ”Gone” and “I Am…You Are,” are from the sessions for Lee’s 2000 solo album My Favorite Headache. The Rush singer and bassist worked with producer/engineer David Bottrill to finish up the songs, who also worked with the band on the vastly improved remixing of 2002’s Vapor Trails. It’s been a disappointing year as a Rush vinyl collector. The band didn’t release a box set to celebrate the 40th anniversary of their icy, tense opus Grace Under Pressure, as they have for their prior six albums. But a couple of new ones from Geddy make up for it. – Andy Steiner

Lisa Germano - Geek the Girl [4AD]

One of alternative and dream pop’s best-kept-secrets, Lisa Germano’s seminal third record, 1994’s Geek the Girl, is getting a long-overdue vinyl reissue (on crystal clear vinyl) for this year’s RSD. It features some of Germano’s most well-known songs, like “My Secret Reason” and “Cry Wolf”, as well as the infamous “...A Psychopath”, which was written about her own experience with stalking, and uses a real 911 call from a home invasion. It’s terrifying and unsettling, perhaps one of the eeriest songs I’ve ever heard, if we’re being honest. But it isn’t all so frightening — Geek the Girl is full of the slightly left-of-center alternative rock and dream pop that was Germano’s trademark, all delivered in her signature, smoky voice. The RSD release also features the hard-to-find b-side, “The Mirror is Gone”, and On Side D of the 2xLP reissue is the Inconsiderate Bitch EP, which includes re-mixed songs from the singer-songwriter's prior album, Happiness. Although she hasn’t released a new album since 2013’s haunting No Elephants, I’m glad 4AD is keeping her poetic, mysterious, and strangely alluring work alive and well in 2025. – Jeremy J. Fisette

Patsy Cline - Imagine That: The Lost Recordings (1954-1963) [Elemental Music/Deep Digs]

Patsy Cline may have only been an active singer for roughly fifteen years—stopped only by her tragic death at the age of 30—but she has become one of the most influential American vocalists in modern history, as well as one of the first country artists to break into the pop world. Now, Record Store Day is going to reveal 52 tracks curated by discographer George Hewitt, featuring live versions and rare cuts of Americana classics like “Crazy,” “Walkin’ After Midnight,” and “I Fall to Pieces,” as well as fifteen never-before-heard songs. This double-album will be the first official record with new Patsy Cline music in thirteen years, approved by the Patsy Cline estate. It’s also a testament to people’s enthusiasm to discover even more from her prolific body of work and preserve it as much as possible, even if we’re several generations away from her. A great record for music history buffs and classic country fans alike. – Victoria Borlando

Post Malone - Post Malone Tribute to Nirvana [Republic]

Back in 2020, Post Malone (this year's RSD Ambassador) came out of nowhere and pretty much nailed a full set of Nirvana covers during a pandemic livestream fundraiser from his house along with buddies Travis Barker on drums, Brian Lee on bass, and guitarist Nick Mack. During an 80-minute set, and with Posty fittingly sporting a Cobain-inspired flowery dress, they ripped through highlights of Nirvana's catalog, hitting tracks like "Lithium", "Come As You Are", "Heart-Shaped Box", "In Bloom", plus 10 more. The whole thing felt natural, never felt forced, and sounded great. Even Dave Grohl and Krist Novoselic gave it their stamps of approval. Now, that performance is getting a proper release for Record Store Day 2025 on yellow vinyl. With a solid 14 songs, it's one of the more raw, authentic, and musically compelling livestream sets of the pandemic era, and as such, definitely merits its own vinyl release. Post Malone has a history of stepping outside of his lane to give fans a peek into his earlier inspirations, and this one showcases a side of Post I hope we'll hear more of going forward. – Dylan Tarre

Remi Wolf - You're a Dog! / I'm Allergic to Dogs! [Island]

As an early adopter of Remi Wolf’s distinct maximalist pop sound, it’ll be a delight to own her first two EPs, 2019’s You’re A Dog! and 2020’s I’m Allergic To Dogs! Even after releasing two full length records since, these EPs still harbor some of Wolf’s most charming and memorable work to date, including the song that put her on the map, “Photo ID”. The beginning of something big was exhibited when these EPs initially released, oozing with personality and creativity. The work is unabashedly hers, home-making these tracks with longtime collaborator Jared Solomon (aka Solomonophonic). Wolf never allows for a dull moment on any of these tracks — a well-needed reminder that music is supposed to be fun. – Leah Weinstein

Talking Heads - Live on Tour '78 [Rhino]

Talking Heads frontman David Byrne once said, "To shake your rump is to be environmentally aware." Whether or not he was trying to create an army of listeners who cared about the environment or just trying to be funny is unknown. But given the band's extensive funky catalogue, it was clear that he and the band were definitely in the business of getting rumps shaking. While on the Buildings and Food tour, the band performed at the Agora in Cleveland on December 18, 1978. The recording of that show was meant to release as a promo LP for radio stations. Now all these years later it is available for the first time fully remastered from the original analog tapes, pressed on exclusive RSD vinyl (cut at 45 RPM). Classics like "Psycho Killer" and "Take Me To The River" find themselves on this setlist. The recording of "Thank You For Sending Me An Angel" also makes its first ever appearance as it was previously unreleased. Any fan of Talking Heads should try their best not to miss this one. – Wade Stokan

The Jesus Lizard - Flux [Ipecac Recordings]

The Jesus Lizard, Texan purveyors of jagged, cut-throat rock, made a splash with their first album in 26 years, Rack, released last September. For Record Store Day 2025, the group has cooked up a three-song, four-letter companion EP, Flux. The trio of tracks include two non-album songs the band have already dropped, “Cost of Living” and “Westside,” and a third tune that’s new for this release, “I’m Tired of Being Your Mother.” Arriving via Ipecac Recordings, Flux presents the songs on 12” black vinyl with an etching on the flipside. As with Rack, Malcolm Bucknall delivers the unsettling cover artwork for Flux, the only physical release these bangers will get. For fans of heavy outliers like the Melvins, Helmet, Tool, et cetera. – Tyler Roland

The Sword - Warp Riders [Kemado]

Few guitar tones in all of metal have as much soul and versatility as Kyle Shutt and J.D. Cronise’s on Warp Riders. It, ironically enough, is a microcosm for The Sword’s third album as a whole, which is equal parts blues, gristle, and bootcut jean swagger. The record is one of the past decade’s best representations of heavy metal on a grander scale as it navigates through the genre’s past and future, its warmest incarnations, and its doom offshoots. Its RSD-exclusive 15th anniversary release updates the album with new remixes and remasters, and is printed on a “Sea of Pyres” colored vinyl. Heshers and intergalactic archers alike, rejoice. – Colin Dempsey

Young Thug - Barter 6 [Atlantic Records]

Young Thug’s debut commercial mixtape Barter 6 ascended during the peak years of WorldStarHipHop, back when Vines were parroting his (supposedly) unintelligible “Lifestyle” verse ad nauseam. Thug became known for being Atlanta's most opaque: a gender-bent mumble rap purveyor. The Barter 6 – being pressed now on special clear 2xLP for RSD – is Thug at his most mystifying, effortlessly crafting hooks over Wheezy-produced ambiance, calculated and faint. Thug is notable for his talent in balancing his oddball abstractions with incredible writing prowess. While some rappers may be able to achieve the bass-thumping anthemic flow on “With That”, no one could pull off the 11-second adlib on “Halftime”, or the playful line “I like fish and water, I'm a bear” – that is solely Thug’s domain. These are the moments that make Barter 6 so mystifying. Thug’s pen is evocative, abstract, yet incredibly distinct. Barter 6 became the blueprint for the obscure, the abstract, and the unique, even ten years later. – Alex Peterson