Every Friday, 88Nine music director Erin Wolf and Lilliput Records co-owner Tanner Musgrove tell you about the new albums you can’t miss on a new episode of On Vinyl. Check out their top picks and a list of this week’s other releases, and listen to their full conversation using the player on this page or on the 88Nine airwaves at 1 p.m. every Friday.
Ah, Record Store Day — the pinnacle of the veritable vinyl mountain.
Every spring, we feel the anticipation for warmer temps, spring blooms and lots and lots of special releases. This year is no different, and no matter where you’re at in Milwaukee or otherwise, you can stop by your favorite local record shop and find a community of vinyl-loving music fiends and friends, and of course something amazing to put on the home turntable.
Happy New Music Friday (and Record Store Day Saturday)!
Record Store Day 2026: Top albums
Snocaps, Snocaps
Most indie fans know and love the Crutchfield sisters’ projects, Waxahatchee and Swearin,’ so when the Birmingham-born twins came out of seemingly nowhere with their new project Snocaps last fall, the excitement was palpable.
They’ve got that gritty twang-meets-pop-rock thing going on, and all the songs on Snocaps’ debut release are just so great, no matter whether the song’s a tearjerker or a straight-up rocker. And when you add MJ Lenderman and Brad Cook to those sisterly harmonies, it really gives things an extra sparkle.
This was one of our fave surprise albums of 2025, and we’ve been keen to get it on wax. If you’re like us, you can pick up the vinyl version on plain black wax or a bunch of color variants. There are six of those altogether, but the main one is an indie-exclusive frosted blue color. Find all the versions at your best-loved local shop.
The Cure, Greatest Hits + Acoustic Hits
For one of our Record Store Day highlights we’re sharing not one but two special albums from goth maestros The Cure, who share a twice-as-nice offering that includes a double-LP comp of Greatest Hits and its companion, Acoustic Hits.
The band celebrates their 50th year in 2028, so these records coming out feels like a fun lead-up that will be special for longtime fans everywhere (including us). Incidentally, the main Greatest Hits comp — originally released in 2001— is one of The Cure’s biggest-selling albums of all time, and this 25th Anniversary Record Store Day 2026 exclusive version was curated and remastered by none other than Robert Smith.
The mirrored and reimagined acoustic versions of the songs from the main album were recorded at Olympic Studios in London back in August of 2001. You’ll get fresh takes on classics like “Boys Don’t Cry,” “A Forest,” “Just Like Heaven” and “Friday I’m In Love.” Both albums will both be available on a silver bio vinyl at any indie store near you.
Hemlocke Springs, going…going…GONE!
Hemlocke Springs’ debut EP will get a fresh pressing to wax as a special Record Store Day release that syncs up with Isimeme "Naomi" Udu being pretty much on fire right now. The attention is warranted, as she’s been making fun, anthemic bedroom pop for all the nerdy and introverted popstars out there for quite some time.
If you’re looking for something fresh, brain-tickling and just true to itself, this EP is for you. We were drawn to its strong Marina (formerly Marina & The Diamonds) vibes, particularly her
Electra Heart era. It’s the perfect record to listen to as winter melts and the temps begin to rise. You can pick up going…going…GONE! at a local record store near you that’s participating in Record Store Day via Good Luck Have Fun Records.
Empire Of The Sun, Walking On A Dream
Out of print since 2015, this debut from Australia’s Empire Of The Sun is getting an expanded edition to celebrate its return. This is a pretty special Record Store Day release for all fans of the psych dance-pop genre; it’s definitely a nostalgic classic, and many pop fans who dig vinyl consider it to be a “core collection” piece.
The pressing size for this special release is limited to just 3,500, so scoop while you can. Luckily, it’s considered an “RSD first” release, meaning there are plans to do another run of the album in the near future, so this won’t necessarily be the last chance you’ll get. Capitol Records is dropping this at all shops participating in RSD.
More of our picks for RSD 2026
- AIR, AIR Moon Safari – The Athens Concert
- Bat For Lashes, A Fleet of Bats: Early Demos
- Blur, Live at the Budokan
- Brandi Carlile, Live at Easy Street Records Vol. II
- Deafheaven, KEXP Sessions
- English Teacher, Nearly Daffodils (Matt Maltese Rework)
- Flying Lotus, 1983
- Jeff Buckley, Live À L'Olympia
- The Jesus and Mary Chain, Some Candy Talking EP
- Olivia Dean, BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge
