Record Store Day: 300–350 titles

Record Store Day returns on Saturday, April 18, with an official list of special releases headed to participating independent shops. (recordstoreday.com) Record Store Day says the 2026 titles will be released only through participating stores on April 18, and shoppers can use the official list online or print a PDF as a wishlist. The event began in 2008 after a 2007 meeting of independent record-store owners and now spans about 1,400 stores in the United States and thousands more internationally. (recordstoreday.com 1) (recordstoreday.com 2) The 2026 catalog runs from small pressings to mass-market draws. On the official site, quantities range from 2,000 copies for 13th Floor Elevators’ “We Are Not Live” and Bryan Adams’ “Tough Town” to 11,000 for Bruno Mars’ “Collaborations.” (recordstoreday.com 1) (recordstoreday.com 2) This year’s list leans heavily on archival material and anniversary packages. The official entries include Air’s first live album, “Moon Safari - The Athens Concert,” Against Me!’s “New Wave B-Sides,” and expanded editions such as Bob Mould’s “Body of Song (20th Anniversary Expanded Edition).” (recordstoreday.com) (thecurrent.org) The mechanics of the day shape how people shop it. Record Store Day says it does not sell the records itself, stores order directly from distributors, and most shops do not carry every title on the list. (recordstoreday.com) That is why the annual guides have shifted from “what is Record Store Day” to “what should I target first.” Shoppers are being told to check whether a store has the event’s pledge badge, confirm which releases that store actually ordered, and expect lines before opening. (recordstoreday.com 1) (recordstoreday.com 2) (recordstoreday.com 3) The official list also splits releases into three buckets: “Exclusive,” which stays at indie stores; “Record Store Day First,” which may reach other retailers later; and “Small Run/Regional Titles,” which are tied to certain markets or pressings under 1,000 copies. That classification helps explain why some records become line-forming targets and others are easier to find after the rush. (recordstoreday.com) Bruno Mars is the 2026 ambassador, a promotional role the event uses to put a recognizable artist at the center of the campaign. Record Store Day is also tying that ambassador spot to a release of Mars collaborations including “Uptown Funk,” “Die With A Smile,” and “APT.” (recordstoreday.com) (recordstoreday.com) If a shopper misses out on April 18, the official advice is to check store websites and marketplace pages starting Sunday, April 19, when shops may choose to sell leftover stock online. Record Store Day says that is still better than buying from flippers. (recordstoreday.com)