Record Store Day is like the Super Bowl for vinyl collectors. Every year, avid enthusiasts line up to get their hands on exclusive releases — available in limited supply — at their favorite indie record shop. Here in Iowa, 14 record stores have pledged to participate in the event, which is this Saturday, April 18.
The only way to get your hands on a RSD exclusive is to show up (early) in-person and hope you grab a copy before someone else does. To help you prep for your trip to your favorite shop, here are our recommendations of some of the best releases to grab this year.
Record Store Day 2026 exclusives worth waiting in line for
Jeff Buckley — Live À L'Olympia
Jeff Buckley hit the Billboard Hot 100 for the first time earlier this year, nearly 30 years after his death. The Live À L'Olympia double LP features recordings from two Paris shows on his 1995 European tour, opening with his sleeper smash hit, "Lover, You Should've Come Over." This RSD exclusive is the live album's first vinyl pressing, and is a must-have for music history buffs.
Olivia Dean — BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge
Olivia Dean won Best New Artist at the 2026 Grammy Awards, and for good reason. The British singer-songwriter's soulful pop songs have become instant classics, landing her a performance at one of the hottest live session spots right now, the BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge. Side A of Dean's special RSD single record is a live rendition of her infectious hit "Man I Need" and Side B features her cover of Ravyn Lenae's viral "Love Me Not." This 45 RPM release is a perfect memento of the current moment in pop music.
Violet Grohl — What’s Heaven Without You / Swallowtail
Only 3,000 copies have been made of Violet Grohl's RSD exclusive 7 inch pressing. Side A, "What's Heaven Without You," is a tribute to the late David Lynch and victims of the L.A. fires. Side B is a brand new original, "Swallowtail." For those itching to hear David Grohl's daughter's debut album next month, this rare single will tide you over.
Hilary Duff — (Mine)
Hilary Duff's comeback era is going strong, but for RSD 2026 she's paying tribute to the songs that started it all, with reimagined re-recordings pressed on silver vinyl. Gems like "What Dreams Are Made Of (Mine)" make this LP an essential find for early 2000s fanatics and pop princess lovers.
hemlocke springs — going…going…GONE!
hemlocke springs may be a new name to those without TikTok, but for bedroom pop enthusiasts, her music cultivates a wonderful internet-era vibe. Her debut EP going...going...GONE! is available for the first time on vinyl for RSD 2026. But only 1,500 copies have been made, so snatch one up fast if you find it!
The Jesus and Mary Chain — Some Candy Talking
RSD 2026 will feature the first-ever U.S. pressing of Scottish band The Jesus and Mary Chain's iconic Some Candy Talking EP. All seven tracks from the 1986 UK version will be on this edition, as well as the unreleased acoustic version of "Taste of Cindy." This one's a great addition to your collection if you're a noise pop or shoegaze fan.
Adrianne Lenker — Live At Revolution Hall
Pregame Big Thief's upcoming Val Air Ballroom performance by listening to frontwoman Adrianne Lenker's triple live LP, Live At Revolution Hall. This "immersive sonic documentary" features 43 intimate live tracks recorded over three days of performances, carefully curated by producer Andrew Sarlo. Y'allternative enthusiasts, rejoice!
Bruno Mars — The Collaborations
Bruno Mars is the Record Store Day Ambassador for 2026, and he's celebrating with his first-ever compilation album. The Collaborations features some of Mars' most iconic collaborations, like "APT." with ROSÉ, "Uptown Funk" with Mark Ronson and the newly minted karaoke classic "Die With A Smile," featuring Lady Gaga.
Pavement — Perfect Sound Forever
Pavement, a beloved indie rock band with a major Iowa connection, is releasing the first-ever re-press of their 1991 cult classic EP, Perfect Sound Forever. This RSD 2026 exclusive will not only be an important slice of rock history and a sonic delight, it'll be visually striking as well, presented on white 10-inch vinyl.
Masayoshi Takanaka — All of Me & On Guitar
73-year-old legendary Japanese guitarist Masayoshi Takanaka and his surfboard guitar sold out his SUPER TAKANAKA WORLD LIVE tour in a matter of seconds. He's releasing two RSD exclusives on deep blue vinyl this year: All Of Me, a best-of double LP of his work from 1976 to 1978 (special poster included), and On Guitar, a 1978 "professional high-technique series" instructional album, which features his sensational sleeper hit cover of Bobby Womack's "Breezin'" and the rare original track "Rainbow," as well as many other skillful covers.
Of course, our picks aren't the end of what's available. There are dozens more new and exclusive pressings hitting record store shelves April 18. Some honorable mentions include remixed David Bowie, live Grateful Dead and soundtrack favorites from Wicked and KPop Demon Hunters. The full list of what's available is on the Record Store Day 2026 website. Hit up your favorite local record store and see what you can find!
Iowa indie record shops participating in Record Store Day 2026
- Analog Vault — Cedar Rapids
- CDs-4-Change — Dubuque
- The Dig Inn — Reinbeck
- Hilltop Plants & Records — Mount Vernon
- Jay’s CD and Hobby — Des Moines
- Marv’s Music — Des Moines
- Special note: Marv’s Music has announced its permanent closure following RSD, making this year your one and final chance to shop these special deals in that store.
- Metro Records — Cedar Falls
- Moondog Music — Dubuque
- Ragged Records — Davenport
- Record Collector — Iowa City
- Vinyl Cup — Cedar Falls & Des Moines
- Weird Harold’s Records — Burlington
- Zzz Records — Des Moines
