Earlier in the month was my birthday. So naturally my record collection has benefited. Here’s a few things I’ve either generously been bought as presents, or have picked up with money I’ve got for my birthday.
Leading with one of my favourite metal/hardcore releases from last year, Code Orange’s ‘Forever’. This was kindly bought for me from one of my best friends and it’s great. It’s on black vinyl in a gatefold sleeve and on the gatefold it’s matte black with gloss back text and the Code Orange panther logo in the middle. This is a fantastic pressing the actual vinyl feels really heavy and sturdy and it’s sounds amazing.
Secondly, something I just picked up with some birthday money, FKA Twigs’ 4 track ‘EP 1’. Released with no artwork, but with a music video to accompany each of the tracks. This was my first exposure to FKA Twigs and I think, although these tracks are great, she has definitely improved massively since this EP dropped. Regardless, this was a must have for my collection.
Thirdly, and probably the most impressively, I got the deluxe edition of Radiohead’s 2016 record, ‘A Moon Shaped Pool’. This double LP comes in a 32 PAGE BOOK! With loads of additional artwork and lyrics, it’s gorgeous. Interestingly, it comes with a wrap of recording tape used from actual album sessions dating back as far as Kid A. They said instead of throwing them away they’d put them with the special edition, which is a lovely touch. I’m so glad I FINALLY own a physical copy of what was one of my favourite albums of last year.
Next, an absolute classic. Daft Punk’s groundbreaking 2001 LP ‘Discovery’. It’s almost criminal that I haven’t picked this up sooner. Everybody knows at least a handful of tracks off this record and to hear them all as they’re supposed to be heard in the full album form is fantastic. Released in a glossy gatefold package, if you’ve somehow been living in a cave for the past 20 years and managed to completely avoid Daft Punk, do yourself a favour and listen to this album.
ANOTHER CLASSIC! Weezer’s Self Titled / Blue Album is another absolute essential in my collection and one of my best friends picked this up for me. This album has gained platinum certification and it’s not hard to see why. Massive Beach Boys influence and for a debut album the band just found their sound immediately. I first got into this album when I was pretty young, around 9/10 and I feel like it’s grown with me. Truly an album that’s stood the test of time and i’m still finding bits to love now. Pretty minimal artwork but the music can stand on it’s own very very comfortably.
Finally, James Blake’s ‘Overgrown’ LP. Not my favourite James Blake release, in fact it’s probably my least favourite full length from him but still such a solid release. Gorgeous gatefold album again with a slick picture of Blake homed in the middle. This is a great pressing, i’m pretty sure it’s 180 gram so nice and heavy and it sounds amazing. It’s like James Blake just makes music to be heard of vinyl, and he does it so well.
Let me know anything you’ve picked up lately or anything I should check out!
First Hurdle Music