The Album a Day Club | May 2024 Playlist
Where we listen to a record a day, every day.
This post may be too long for some inboxes - click here to read the full issue.
Hey there, welcome back to our newest exhibit here at The Wax Museum, where I track my album a day habit with liner notes and a playlist tailored for vinyl collectors and new music seekers.
Much of what I listen to revolves around vinyl—deals, reissues, and new releases—making this journal beneficial for anyone looking to expand their collection or discover their new favorite record. This month we have a good mix of old and new, with 11 albums from this year.
Each album comes with links to purchase available vinyl and options to stream. For deeper digs, check the corresponding Discogs links.
The last bit of business: give Vinyl on Sale on Twitter a follow for all drops and discounts. Expect about 5-10 tweets daily. OK, happy collecting and let’s dig in.
The Album a Day Club | May 2024 Playlist
Join the club in exploring a mix of old, new, and everything in between with our updated daily playlist!
May 1: Spoon and Adrian Sherwood - Lucifer on the Moon (2022)
Get Vinyl: Black | Discogs
Spoon’s Lucifer on the Sofa continues to get love as an essential record of the 2020s, and this Adrian Sherwood dub album remix is a worthy companion.
Lucifer on the Moon sends Britt Daniel and crew into space with bass, echo, and reverb cranked to 10. I love the additional instruments here on my three favorite tracks: the flute on "My Babe," harmonica on "On the Radio," and horns on the title track. Fun one to throw on while getting busy work done.
May 2: Polaris - Music from The Adventures of Pete & Pete (2002)
Get Vinyl: Pink | Discogs
Saw a retweet of the Pete and Pete theme song “Hey Sandy” from Patrick Mahan and realized I’ve never listened to this one-off project by Polaris, involving members of the late 80s, early 90s band Miracle Legion. It features 12 songs by the band for the cult Nickelodeon show.
Very pleasant listen, surprisingly solid throughout. The vinyl is still available from the band itself on pink wax and even includes a Petunia tattoo!
Anyone seen Pete & Pete lately? How does it hold up? I’m debating a rewatch…
May 3: Thievery Corporation - It Takes a Thief (2010)
Get Vinyl: Coke Bottle Green
Giving Thievery Corporation's greatest hits a first spin, and wow, it's a wildly eclectic mix in the best way. Dub, acid jazz, reggae, and hip hop meld into a delicious musical stew. I don’t have any Thievery in my collection, so I may snap this one up, first time on vinyl out in July via RSD Essentials.
May 4: Stay Inside - Ferried Away (2024)
Get Vinyl: Jocket | Parchment | Discogs
Today is the Kentucky Derby and what better record to spin than an album cover of the Grim Reaper looming over jockeys and their ponies.
Brooklyn emo and post hardcore four piece Stay Inside dropped a short and sweet record filled with catchy choruses of regret and loss, and accented with tasteful horns. It sounds better with each listen.
May 5: Kendrick Lamar - Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers (2022)
Get Vinyl: Gold | Black | Discogs
I gave this a spin in the wake of the hip hop beef of the century between Drake and Kendrick Lamar. For those unaware, in the song of the summer “Not Like Us," Kendrick upped the ante by making pedophile claims against Drake. The Toronto rapper responded by saying Kendrick was abused as a child, and is therefore deflecting his pain onto his enemy.
Groomer accusations and mocking victims of abuse is nasty business, and you’re going to need proof to back it up. Unfortunately for Drake, it appears he jumped to the wrong conclusion from the Mr. Morale song “Mother I Sober.”
The emotional track details generational trauma, wherein Kendrick’s mother doesn’t believe teenager Kendrick when he denies his cousin molested him. The reveal ends up being his mother was a victim of abuse herself.
Drake has either misinterpreted the lyrics or he’s suggesting Kendrick lied about not being assaulted? Either way, it’s another bad look for Drake in a battle of wits he’s clearly losing.
May 6: English Teacher - This Could Be Texas (2024)
Get Vinyl: Black | Discogs
This Could Be Texas is a wildly original debut by Leeds band English Teacher. It’s an easy comparison, but if you like Black Country, New Road, you’ll dig this too. Shit rocks.
May 7: The Sundays - Reading, Writing, and Arithmetic (1990)
Get Vinyl: Black | Discogs
Went in blind on this one; all I knew was it's an acclaimed album that just received a much requested vinyl reissue. Second song "Here's Where The Story Ends" brought me back to working at Publix as a teenager; this earworm rang through the supermarket at least 5x a day, much to my anger at the time.
Aside from that, very enjoyable listen, Harriet Wheeler's voice is stunning, some Cocteau Twins vibes here, "A Certain Someone" was my favorite, especially the guitar work in the back half.
May 8: Electrelane - The Power Out (2004)
Get Vinyl: Discogs
We lost legendary engineer Steve Albini today. By his own estimate, he recorded over 1000 albums. My favorite underrated album of his is Electrelane's The Power Out, a thrilling, all-analog recording that shines at high volume. An impressive hodgepodge of post-rock, free jazz, synth-pop, and much more. Unfortunately, this one is tough to find on vinyl unless you shell out $125+.
May 9: Songs: Ohia - Magnolia Electric Co (2003)
Get Vinyl: Black | Discogs
Another Albini fav of mine. Marking a high point in Jason Molina's career (may he also rest in noise), this is where you can really hear Albini’s engineering genius, infusing a level of depth and texture often missing from the folk genre.
May 10: Jessica Pratt - Here in the Pitch (2024)
Get Vinyl: Desert Mallow Red | Black | Discogs
As I said in my album review, this is the kind of record that begs to be spun on a turntable, exuding a charming, retro warmth. I was lucky to get this one signed thanks to Amoeba Records.
May 11: Weezer - Weezer (The Blue Album) (1994)
Get Vinyl: Blue and White Marbled | Black | Discogs
Weezer’s self-titled was released 30 years ago today. My favorite story about The Blue Album is the "Buddy Holly" video, directed by Spike Jonze, was included on the Windows 95 installation CD-ROM, resulting in a skyrocket in popularity. The band members didn’t understand the implications of this, as none of them had computers. Drummer Pat Wilson explains:
“I was furious because at the time I was like, 'How are they allowed to do this without permission?' Turns out it was the greatest thing that could have happened to us. Can you imagine that happening today? It's like, there's one video on YouTube, and it's your video."
May 12: Sam Evian - Plunge (2024)
Get Vinyl: Water Blue | Red (Autographed) | Black | Discogs
Sam Evian wanted to channel the anything-goes vibe of The Beatles' Get Back sessions; he recorded live to vintage tape for a late 60’s, early 70’s vibe that makes it all sound familiar yet fresh.
May 13: Childish Gambino - Atavista (2024)
Get Vinyl: Black (preorder)
Midnight drop listen of Childish Gambino’s re-release of 3.15.20 now under the title Atavista:
The album no longer feels like a demo tape of random ideas but a smooth, cohesive showcase of Gambino’s R&B prowess. If 2016’s Awaken, My Love! was his Funkadelic tribute, Atavista is Gambino tapping into his inner Prince.
May 14: Minus the Bear - Highly Refined Pirates (2002)
Get Vinyl: Blue Smoke | Discogs
Instant nostalgia listening back to Minus the Bear's debut, the first math rock album I ever heard. Happy to report it still holds up and I'm excited to add this new blue smoke variant to the collection.
May 15: Various Artists - Seafaring Strangers: Private Yacht (2017)
Get Vinyl: Seafoam Green | Lavender | Discogs
Found this one crate-digging and it’s a fun compilation put together by label Numero Group. I haven’t heard of most of these artists but I’d say over 75% of the tracks here are winners.
May 16: Fishmans - Long Season (1996)
Get Vinyl: Discogs
First time listen, based on this great 9.3 Pitchfork Sunday Review piece by Joshua Minsoo Kim.
The one song album by Japanese rock band Fishmans is an ethereal, enchanting experience. After hitting replay a few times, I got curious about a live version—and wow, it's even more stunning! Solid 10/10.
Now the bad news.. this just got one small vinyl pressing back in 2016, and it goes for $500+ on the resale market. Here's hoping for a repress, maybe for the 30th anniversary in 2026.
May 17: Shellac - To All Trains (2024)
Get Vinyl: Black | Discogs
Nine days after Steve Albini’s untimely death, we are presented with his final statement in the form of his band Shellac’s first album in over a decade.
The final verse in the final song, “I Don’t Fear Hell,” is eerie given the circumstances, portraying defiance in the face of death:
“I don’t fear hell. Their baseball team is undefeated. If there’s a heaven, I hope they’re having fun. ‘Cause if there’s a hell, I’m gonna know everyone.”
May 18: Sturgill Simpson - Metamodern Sounds in Country Music (2014)
Get Vinyl: Black | Discogs
Sturgill Simpson’s game-changing album, Metamodern Sounds in Country Music, turns ten and gets a collector’s edition on 180 gram vinyl with new artwork. Opening track Turtles All the Way Down is an all-timer.
May 19: Steely Dan - Gaucho (1980)
Get Vinyl: UHQR | Black | Discogs
Happy International Steely Dan Day to those who celebrate! May 19, that’s ‘Retha Franklin. Cuervo Gold and fine Colombian for everyone!
May 20: Frank Black - Teenager of the Year (1994)
Get Vinyl: Black | Discogs
The high point of Frank Black’s post-Pixies career turns 20 today. Although panned on arrival, the critics take an L for this one, as it’s aged just fine. No low points and so many ideas packed into this 22-song album.
May 21: DARTZ - Dangerous Day to Be A Cold One (2024)
Get Vinyl: Black | Discogs
Fun one from New Zealand garage rock band DARTZ. Think White Reaper if they sang about getting blasted at gender reveal parties and pushing landlords down the stairs.
May 22: Bloc Party - A Weekend in the City (2007)
Get Vinyl: Green | Discogs
I recently made a list of my top ten personal grails most in need of a repress, and already two have been announced!
Last month, it was Sade’s discography getting repressed, and today we get word that Bloc Party’s three albums after Silent Alarm are at long last getting a colored vinyl reissue, expected in early July: A Weekend in the City on green wax, Intimacy on pink, and Four on yellow.
May 23: Clairo - Immunity (2019)
Get Vinyl: Black | Discogs
Clairo has kicked off her rollout for her third album, Charm, with lead single “Sexy to Someone,” an instantly addicting track that sounds like it could belong on Vampire Weekend’s latest album.
Finding out the album was co-produced by Leon Michels of the Dap-Kings and El Michels Affair has me even more excited. To celebrate, I revisited Clairo’s debut album, which still holds up beautifully.
May 24: DIIV - Frog in Boiling Water (2024)
Get Vinyl: Melting Amber | Red | Green | Black
One of my most anticipated albums of 2024 and it didn’t disappoint. This is DIIV’s most ambitious work yet, meticulously put tofgether with attention to detail in every lyric, chord, and melody. These ten tracks are drenched in beautiful reverb, with guitar melodies that offer an instant dopamine rush. Full review here.
May 25: mui zyu - nothing or something to die for (2024)
Get Vinyl: Glow in the Dark
Another entry to the Album of the Year leaderboard is mui zyu’s strange and captivating blend of bedroom pop and trip-hop. Full review here.
May 26: Liquid Mike - Paul Bunyan’s Slingshot(2024)
Get Vinyl: Black | Discogs
I've been hyping up Marquette, Michigan’s Liquid Mike to anyone who'll listen, and their vinyl just arrived. It sounds even more like the dynamic powerhouse it is! The red vinyl, limited to /100, is sold out, but black, limited to /200, still has a few copies remaining.
May 27: The Cure - Japanese Whispers (1983)
Get Vinyl: Clear | Discogs
First time listen of 1982-1983 singles and B-sides compilation by The Cure. This is the first time on vinyl in 40 years and the first time on colored wax. Remastered by Robert Smith and cut by Miles Showell at Abbey Road Studios, London, it's a solid release. While I enjoyed it, it’s more suited for the completists than my personal collection.
May 28: Phoenix - Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix (2009)
Get Vinyl: Black | Discogs
Today is the 15th anniversary of Phoenix’s fourth album and career high point Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix. This record is the definition of no skips. The Vinyl Me, Please pink vinyl sounds as great as it looks.
May 29: Sharon Van Etten - Are We There (2014)
Get Vinyl: Black, Grey, Silver Tri-Color
Sharon Van Etten’s slow burn of an album Are We There turns ten, and it gets a new anniversary vinyl on tri-color wax, OBI strip, and a signed art card.
I love this acoustic version of my favorite track off the album, “Tarifa,” via KEXP.
May 30: Blushing - Sugarcoat (2024)
Get Vinyl: Red | Discogs
Austin quartet Blushing serves up sometimes dreamy, sometimes dark shoegaze with help from the genre masters in Ringo Deathstarr’s Elliott Frazier’s production and Ride’s Mark Gardener’s mastering. It gives off Lush-like vibes with the dual female vocals. This will stay in my rotation all summer long.
May 31: Portishead - Roseland NYC Live (1998)
Get Vinyl: Red | Discogs
I couldn’t resist grabbing this in the uDiscoverMusic summer sale, still ongoing as of this writing, and thank you postman for dropping this beauty off today.
I’ve highlighted this epic concert before in this newsletter, featuring Portishead laying it down with a 30-piece orchestra. Killer pressing of a legendary performance.
Hey friends, thanks for reading and supporting indie music writing! We’ll be back next week with a look at upcoming June vinyl releases.
Sound off in the comments on what you’ve been jamming out too, and if there’s any albums you’d like to me to listen to!
Do me a solid and forward this to the music lovers in your life! 🙌
What a great list! This is the second time I've seen someone bring up that Minus The Bear record. A great record that deserves more attention.
So many great records here! And to make things even harder to choose what to buy, records come in pink now?!