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Angel’s Horn 2025 Q1 Vinyl Spotlight: Must-Have New Releases in Europe and America
Vinyl’s renaissance shows no signs of slowing down, with 2025 kicking off in style thanks to a stellar lineup of new releases and reissues across Europe and America. From exclusive Record Store Day (RSD) drops to fresh albums and remastered classics, the first quarter of 2025 is packed with records that demand a spot in your collection. Whether you’re a seasoned collector or just starting your vinyl journey, here’s our curated guide to the best new vinyl releases to spin this season, brought to you by Angel’s Horn.
Record Store Day 2025: Exclusive Gems to Hunt Down
Record Store Day 2025, held on April 12, is the vinyl lover’s holiday, delivering over 300 exclusive titles to independent record stores across the UK, US, and beyond. This year’s earlier-than-usual date (shifted due to Easter) doesn’t dampen the excitement, with a diverse mix of limited editions, live recordings, and anniversary reissues. Here are our top RSD picks:
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Gorillaz – Demon Days Live From the Apollo Theatre
Celebrating the 20th anniversary of their iconic Demon Days, Gorillaz drop a double LP capturing their 2006 Harlem performance. Pressed on red vinyl with a limited run of 6,500 copies, this is a must for fans of 2-D and company. Expect blistering renditions of “Feel Good Inc.” and “Clint Eastwood.”
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Post Malone – Nirvana Covers
Post Malone, RSD 2025’s ambassador, brings his 2020 quarantine-era Nirvana tribute to yellow vinyl. Backed by Travis Barker on drums, this set includes raw takes on “Come As You Are” and “Heart-Shaped Box,” with proceeds supporting MusiCares’ mental health and addiction recovery programs. A heartfelt nod to grunge for pop and rock fans alike.
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Rage Against the Machine – Live on Tour 1993
This three-sided LP (with an etched fourth side) compiles untouched live recordings from RATM’s first world tour. Tracks like “Killing in the Name” and “Freedom” roar with raw energy, making this red vinyl pressing a collector’s dream—especially since the band’s touring days seem over.
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Air – Blue Moon Safari & Live & Demos
French duo Air deliver two RSD exclusives tied to their seminal Moon Safari. Blue Moon Safari is a full-album remix by Vegyn, pressed on blue vinyl, while Live & Demos compiles BBC and KCRW sessions plus a Funkadelic cover, on white vinyl. Perfect for fans of chilled-out electronica.
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Isobel Campbell & Mark Lanegan – Hawk
A country-tinged folk-rock gem, this RSD release features six tracks from the duo’s Sunday At Devil Dirt sessions, including a new title track, pressed on vinyl for the first time. A haunting addition for fans of their Mercury-nominated work.
Pro Tip: RSD releases are first-come, first-served at indie shops, with no official online sales until April 14 (8 PM BST). Check recordstoreday.com for participating stores and plan your queue strategy
New Albums to Crank Up
Beyond RSD, Q1 2025 brings fresh original releases from artists pushing boundaries. These LPs are perfect for those who love discovering new sounds on wax.
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The Hives – The Hives Forever Forever The Hives
Sweden’s garage rock kings return with their seventh album, a high-octane blast of punk energy. Lead single “Enough Is Enough” sets the tone, and the gold vinyl edition is a stunner. Available via PIAS, this one’s made for loud spins.
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Sparks – MAD!
The eccentric duo’s 28th album is a quirky pop-rock odyssey, with “JanSport Backpack” as its infectious lead single. Pressed on light blue lenticular vinyl, it’s a collector’s delight from Transgressive Records.
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Skunk Anansie – The Painful Truth
After a nine-year gap, London’s alt-rock trailblazers deliver their seventh album, produced by David Sitek. The lead single “Cheers” is a fiery return, and the Rough Trade-exclusive blue vinyl is a standout.
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Car Seat Headrest – The Scholars
Will Toledo’s first album in five years is a self-described rock opera, blending indie rock with theatrical flair. The double vinyl from Matador, with lead single “Gethsemane,” is a bold addition for fans of introspective anthems.
Reissues & Remasters for the Ages
2025’s first quarter also shines with reissues of out-of-print classics and remastered gems, giving old favorites new life on vinyl.
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Gorky’s Zygotic Mynci – Barafundle
This 1997 psych-folk masterpiece from the Welsh outfit gets its first North American vinyl release, remastered on “jungle swirl” wax. Tracks like “Patio Song” and “Diamond Dew” shimmer with quirky charm. A must for ’90s indie fans.
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Belly – King (30th Anniversary Edition)
Belly’s underrated 1995 follow-up to Star gets a green vinyl reissue, remastered with hits like “Super-Connected.” Produced by Glyn Johns, it’s a heavier, crunchier take on their alt-rock sound.
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Pharoah Sanders – Izipho Zam (My Gifts)
A spiritual jazz cornerstone, this RSD reissue brings Sanders’ 1969 album back to vinyl. Its blend of free jazz and soulful grooves is timeless, and the pressing from Verve is a collector’s treat.
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David Bowie – Young Americans (50th Anniversary)
Bowie’s soulful 1975 classic gets a half-speed mastered reissue and a picture disc edition. With “Fame” and “Golden Years,” it’s a vibrant slice of his Philly soul era, courtesy of Rhino.
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Suede – Sci-Fi Lullabies (Deluxe Edition)
This triple-vinyl expanded edition of Suede’s 1997 B-sides compilation is half-speed mastered for pristine sound. A treasure trove for Britpop devotees, available via Edsel/Demon Music Group.
Why Vinyl in 2025?
The vinyl market continues to boom, with global sales projected to hit $2.25 billion in 2024 and grow at 10.6% annually through 2031. In 2024, vinyl outsold CDs for the second year running, driven by collectors and younger fans drawn to the tactile, immersive experience. Artists like Taylor Swift and Charli XCX have fueled the pop vinyl surge, while reissues keep classic rock, jazz, and indie fans spinning. With production backlogs easing, 2025 promises smoother supply chains, meaning more records on shelves.
Where to Score These Releases
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Independent Record Stores: Your best bet for RSD exclusives and limited editions. Use recordstoreday.com’s store locator to find shops in the US, UK, or Europe.
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Online Retailers: For non-RSD releases, check Amazon, Rough Trade, or Dusty Groove for pre-orders and exclusives. Amazon’s vinyl store has titles like The Hives Forever and MAD! available for pre-order with delivery as early as April 11.
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Angel’s Horn Turntables: To fully appreciate these records, pair them with an Angel’s Horn turntable. Our models deliver rich, warm sound to bring every groove to life—shop now at angelshorn.com.
Final Spin
The first quarter of 2025 is a vinyl lover’s paradise, with RSD exclusives, new albums, and reissues spanning genres and eras. From Gorillaz’s live cuts to The Hives’ punk revival and Bowie’s soulful reissue, there’s something for every crate-digger. Hit your local record shop, pre-order online, and keep your turntable spinning. Stay tuned to Angel’s Horn for more vinyl spotlights, and let us know your favorite Q1 picks in the comments below!
Happy spinning,
The Angel’s Horn Team
The Angel’s Horn Team
Sources: Record Store Day, Brooklyn Vegan, The Vinyl Factory, NME, Billboard, Euronews, Pause & Play, Rhino, Cognitive Market Research
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