The Album a Day Club | April 2024 Playlist
Where we listen to a record a day, every day.
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Hey there, welcome to a new exhibit here at The Wax Museum. Over the past month, I’ve listened to an album a day, sharing my thoughts on Substack Notes and Twitter (never calling it X). I’ve curated these into a detailed roundup and playlist tailored for vinyl collectors and new music seekers.
Much of what I listen to revolves around vinyl—deals, reissues, and preorders—making this journal a treasure trove for those looking to expand their collection or discover their new favorite album.
Each album comes with links to purchase available vinyl and options to stream. For deeper digs, check the corresponding Discogs links.
Lastly, don’t forget to follow Vinyl on Sale on Twitter for the latest in vinyl releases and deals, with about 5-10 tweets daily. Happy collecting! Let’s dive in.
The Album a Day Club | April 2024 Playlist
Join the club in exploring a mix of old, new, and everything in between with our updated daily playlist!
April 1: Curtis Mayfield - Curtis (1970)
Get Vinyl: Light Blue | Discogs
We start our club off right with Curtis Mayfield’s solo debut, which recently received a reissue on light blue wax. The self-titled features his biggest hit, the nearly nine minute groove masterpiece “Move On Up,” but it’s opener “(Dont Worry) If Theres A Hell Below Were All Gonna Go” that’s extra special, with its protest lyrics, fusion of heavy fuzz bass, vibrant Latin percussion, wah-wah guitars, and lush strings. Not a bad song among the eight!
April 2: LCD Soundsystem - The Long Goodbye (2011)
Get Vinyl: 5 LP Box Set | Discogs
13 years ago today, James Murphy and co. played their supposed final gig ever at Madison Square Garden. Although their retirement only lasted five years, the farewell concert remains an extraordinary piece of musical history, immortalized in a five LP set that encompasses over three and a half hours of their greatest hits. Among the standout moments is the electrifying remix of the disco-funk opening track from 45:33, enhanced by the beatboxing genius of Reggie Watts.
April 3: Cloud Nothings - Here and Nowhere Else (2014)
Get Vinyl: Black | Discogs
This week marks the 10th anniversary of an album that has undoubtedly earned its replay. There was a month where this was my go-to running soundtrack, with each track delivering an adrenaline surge strong enough to push through to the last mile. The drums on "Psychic Trauma" and the seven minute "Pattern Walks" may change your life.
April 4: Teens in Trouble - What’s Mine (2024)
Get Vinyl: Random Color | Discogs
Went in blind on this one and had a blast. Teens in Trouble's indie punk rock debut What's Mine delivers a dynamic mix of quiet/loud moments, with frontwoman Lizzie Killian delivering pointy lyrics like a less-stoned Crazy For You-era Bethany Cosentino. Guest appearances by PUP’s Stefan Babcock and Jeff Rosenstock’s Mike Huguenor add a tasty layer of guitar riffs to the proceedings.
You can get this album on random color wax and props to them for selling their vinyl for $18.99 in this age of $40+ LPs.
April 5: Vampire Weekend - Only God Was Above Us (2024)
Get Vinyl: Blue and Black | Discogs
Could April 5th be the day where the no doubter Album of the Year dropped? So far, yes. So good it caused an NYC earthquake.
April 6: Waxahatchee - Out in the Storm (2017)
Get Vinyl: Black | Discogs
I was lucky enough to snag the last of the Seasick Records exclusive "Silver Sparks in Blue" vinyl variant of my favorite Waxhatachee album and it arrived today. What a beaut!
April 7: Disclosure - Settle (2013)
Get Vinyl: Orange | Discogs
Flume's remix of Disclosure's "You & Me" came on shuffle and reminded me I hadn't thrown on the Settle 10th Anniversary on orange wax yet, which is still available on one of UMG’s website. Great sound on this one!
Random Access Memories and Settle were a nice one-two punch that brought dance-pop back to the forefront in 2013. Just like RAM, features galore on this one (Sam Smith, London Grammar, Jesse Ware, Nile Rodgers, Mary J. Blige) and produced a stupid amount of quality remixes.
April 8: Majesty Crush - Love 15 (1993)
Get Vinyl: Dirty Blonde Galaxy
Where has this album been all my life? I stumbled upon Majesty Crush today while listening to Third Man Records' Southeast of Saturn compilation of Michigan shoegaze and space rock. If you like dreamy guitar soundscapes with punchy lyrics and compelling vocals, this gem will captivate.
As luck would have, Numero Group just released a deluxe double vinyl remaster featuring Love 15 and all singles, EPs, and rarities on a gorgeous dirty blonde galaxy variant.
April 9: Sleigh Bells - Treats (2010)
Get Vinyl: Discogs
I went back and listened to this one for my “10 Vinyl in Desperate Need of a Repress” article. Sleigh Bells' debut is an explosion of noise-pop highlighted by distorted guitars, heavy beats, and Alexis Krauss' fierce vocals. Songs like “Crown on the Ground,” “Rill Rill,” and “Infinity Guitars” pull off the difficult trick of being both catchy and abrasive.
April 10: Sade - Love Deluxe (1992)
Get Vinyl: Black | Discogs
Grail acquired! Sade's discography, especially the last three albums, were tough to find and going for big money on the resale market. They are all getting a wide repress this September.
Love Deluxe was the only one missing from my collection. Sade's only 90's album luxuriates in its atmospheric production, and serves as a canvas for her husky vocals. Jazz-infused mood music at its best.
April 11: Spiritual Cramp - Spiritual Cramp (2023)
Get Vinyl: Black | Discogs
Had I heard this album upon its release, it would have easily ranked among my top albums of 2023. This exhilarating, adrenaline-fueled punk rock album comes highly recommended for anyone seeking some spirited tunes. “Blowback” and “Herberts on Holiday” are immediate additions to my rotation.
April 12: Labrinth, Sia & Diplo Present... LSD (2019)
Get Vinyl: Sea Glass | Discogs
I wanted to see if I had any interest in the 5th anniversary vinyl release of the random Labrinth, Sia, and Diplo collab that was announced today. I don't think this one has aged well, too generic, not experimental and weird enough.
April 13: Alvvays - Blue Rev (2022)
Get Vinyl: Blue | Discogs
Perfect album, no notes. 10/10 all bangers. Stoked to see them in May for their first ever Orlando show!
April 14: Toro y Moi - Anything in Return (2013)
Get Vinyl: Cherry Cola | Discogs
The loot arrived from Urban Outfitters (they got my ass good), including Toro y Moi's third album on 10th Anniversary Cherry Cola wax. Sounds fantastic. If you want dreamy synths, funky basslines, and soulful vocals, you’ve come to the right place. “So Many Details” and “Rose Quartz” are up there with anything Chaz has created before or since, and each track reveals new depths and nuances over time.
April 15: Earl Sweatshirt - Doris (2013)
Get Vinyl: Black / White / Yellow Combo | Discogs
Gave rapper Earl Sweatshirt's debut a re-listen as it's the Vinyl Me, Please hip hop record for May and I have to decide this week if I'm swapping it. I'm happy to report this one has aged like a fine Tempranillo, featuring A list guests spitting complex rhymes over slow, woozy beats. Still insane this came from a 19-year-old!
April 16: Yo La Tengo - And Then Nothing Turned Itself Inside-Out (2000)
Get Vinyl: Snow Falls on Hoboken | Discogs
Had to do some busy work and threw on my favorite Yo La Tengo album. Their tenth record married subdued ballads, highlighted by ethereal percussion and hypnotic textures on “You Can Have It All,” with noise rock heaters like “Cherry Chapstick” and the sprawling 17-minute closer “Night Falls on Hoboken.”
April 17: El Michels Affair - Enter the 37th Chamber (2009)
Get Vinyl: Yellow and Black | Discogs
Fun cinematic soul reinterpretations through the Wu Tang catalog by Brookyln retro-funk group El Michels Affair. Gave it a re-listen before pulling the trigger on the 15th anniversary release announced yesterday.
April 18: Hum - You'd Prefer An Astronaut (1995)
Get Vinyl: Clear Green | Discogs
First time listening to Hum’s You’d Prefer An Astronaut and was blown away! This came on my radar via this viral Conan clip posted by SurfThrash (an amazing Twitter follow).
Luckily the vinyl is still accessible thanks to a 2023 reissue on green wax.
April 19: At the Drive-In - In / Casino / Out (1998)
Get Vinyl: Purple and Green Smoke | Discogs
Happy Record Store Day Eve! At the top of my wishlist is At the Drive-In’s second album In/Casino/Out, pressed on purple and green smoke to compliment the album cover.
This is what RSD should be doing: repressing long out of print bangers that have high demand and go for hundreds of dollars on the resale market.
April 20: Militarie Gun - Life Under the Sun (2024)
Get Vinyl: Sunspot | Discogs
One of my Record Store Day yoinks and I threw it on the turntable immediately.
Militarie Gun’s Life Under the Sun is a stripped back version of their critically acclaimed debut album Life Under the Gun. Featuring guest appearances from Manchester Orchestra, Bully, Pool Kids, and Mannequin Pussy, this five song collection is available on “sunspot” colored vinyl.
Militarie Gun also released a fun 30 minute mini documentary on the EP, recorded and filmed at Manchester Orchestra’s home studio.
April 21: No Doubt - Tragic Kingdom (1995)
Get Vinyl: Black | Discogs
I went to a standup show and came home to my wife watching No Doubt at Coachella. Gwen Stefani and crew performed for the first time in almost ten years, and didn’t seem to miss a beat, providing plenty of hits, energy, and charisma.
April 22: Straylight Run - Straylight Run (2004)
Get Vinyl: Discogs
Another Coachella show we caught over the weekend was Taking Back Sunday, and it was a dumpster fire. More karaoke than concert, lead vocalist Adam Lazzara sounded past his prime to say the least. Fellow vocalist John Nolan sounded much better by comparison.
Nolan left TBS from 2003 to 2010 to create Straylight Run; their atmospheric self-titled debut is an emo classic, and long out of print.
April 23: Everything But The Girl - Fuse (2023)
Get Vinyl: Black | Discogs
The above picture was tweeted to me tonight, in appreciation for highlighting Fuse on vinyl for $16. Fuse is Everything But The Girl’s first album in 24 years. The perfect late night record.. urgent lyrics over chillstep beats.. blasting this right now while watching Luka vs Kawhi on TNT, what a time to be alive!
April 24: Death Cab for Cutie - Transatlanticism (2003)
Get Vinyl: Black | Discogs
Seeing Death Cab, The Postal Service, and Slow Pulp tonight so I tossed on the VMP red marble 20th Anniversary vinyl. I want whatever Ben Gibbard was having in 2003 to create both Transatlanticism and Give Up in the same year, two indie classics stuffed with bittersweet ballads that have stood the test of time.
April 25: Local Natives - But I’ll Wait For You (2024)
Get Vinyl: Mercury | Blue Vinyl with coffee | Black
Last year, Local Natives released Time Will Wait For No One; this week, they release the surprise sequel, But I’ll Wait For You, finishing the first half of last year’s sentence. While I love Local Natives, I wish they’d go back to some of their louder stuff; just a few highlights off this one for me, like “April” and “Ending Credits.”
UPDATE: Local Natives just announced their recent tour will be their last with Kelcey Ayer. Ayer is one of the best vocalists and songwriters in indie rock, a brutal departure for a band that needs a shot in the arm. Welp, guess I gotta see them on this tour!
April 26: Rosie Tucker - UTOPIA NOW! (2024)
Get Vinyl: Grape + Tangerine
The album shooting up my Album of the Year leaderboard the most this month is Rosie Tucker’s UTOPIA NOW!. Their fourth album is a self-produced, home-recorded gem filled with punchy rock riffs and dreamy earworm hooks.
Kicking off the album with the line “The lightbulb is updating / And I sit in the dark,” Tucker navigates our technocapitalistic nightmare with a blend of wit and wisdom that's as entertaining as it is thought-provoking.
April 27: Pusha T - DAYTONA (2018)
Get Vinyl: Black | Discogs
The wife and kid were out of the house so I shook the walls with Pusha T’s DAYTONA. The first of five albums produced by Kanye West in Jackson Hole, Wyoming in the spring of 2018 sees Pusha waxing poetic about the crack game over Ye’s sample rich production.
Pusha was taking shots at Drake before it was cool (Kendrick put out a diss track against him this week), attacking the Degrassi star for using ghostwriters on closer “Infrared.”
April 28: AFI - Sing the Sorrow (2003)
Get Vinyl: Red and Black Pinwheel | Discogs
Post-hardcore classic Sing the Sorrow by AFI was alway a white whale for vinyl collectors; the first and only pressing in 2003 would fetch over $500+ on the resale market. Thankfully, a new reissue finally dropped last year and I stumbled upon it today for retail price at my local record shop.
April 29: The Blue Nile - Hats (1989)
Get Vinyl: Black | Discogs
Wow all albums from The Blue Nile just got repressed on vinyl, mere days after their 1989 single “The Downtown Lights” was mentioned in Taylor Swift’s The Tortured Poets Department. These albums were long out of print and sought after by collectors. Thank you Taylor! :)
April 30: Mount Kimbie - The Sunset Violent (2024)
Get Vinyl: Orange | Magenta and Black Marble | Black | Discogs
We end with my favorite surprise of April, Mount Kimbie’s The Sunset Violent. Now a fantastic foursome, Mount Kimbie ditched the post-dubstep for indie art rock, with fuzzy guitars and delightful chord changes. "Dumb Guitar" is an instant classic and one of my SotYs.
Hey friends, thanks for reading and supporting indie music writing! We’ll be back early next week with a look at upcoming May vinyl releases.
Sound off in the comments on what you’ve been jamming out too.
Do me a solid and forward this to the music lovers in your life! 🙌
That Curtis record is 🔥 Not a bad song among the 8 — very well said.
Can’t wait for Sade’s Love Deluxe. I have a couple of her first records (first, or quite early) pressings, and been wanting to add any pressing of Love Deluxe I can afford to my collection for a while now!
Gotta sit down and listen to Waxahatchee, which has come across my feeds multiple times now. And thx for the Rosie Tucker intro. She’s playing Detroit tonight but as luck would have it, I’m traveling 😕