You know there’s definitely some truth to the idea that Record Store Day is similar to Easter or Valentine’s Day in the way that much of it comes down to one thing – marketing. We don’t love it, but sometimes you have to take the good with the bad. As our boss said to us the other day, “not my monkey, not my circus.”
Besides, tomorrow’s ‘holiday’ is technically there to help celebrate your favorite music in the physical format, and best case scenario you get to support not just an artist but a label or pressing plant that you resonate with. Possibly with extra goodies. Take for instance the new powerhouse collection from Zeni Geva and Steve Albini from SKiN GRAFT Records. Not only does Superunit: Maximum Implosion comes with a stellar collection of records, it comes with a deluxe gatefold, a big booklet of illustrations and notes, etc.
There’s a few other math rock bangers you might want to keep your eye out for while you’re at the record store too. There’s new ones like Hyper Girl and Hikes, but also reissues of bona fide classics like Kezia, American Don and Destroy Erase Improve. Hell, there’s also a couple video game OST’s you should snag if you’re curious, so to make sure you don’t completely fumble should you venture out for Record Store Day tomorrow, we made this list to keep you covered.
Meshuggah – Destroy Erase Improve
Of course, remasters and how various engineers approach them are highly contested. However, if there’s one heavy band you can buy basically any version of any record without an ounce of regret, it would be Meshuggah. This record’s already been remastered once, but for the third time, we’ll be all in on this one just to hear the tiny differences in store.
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Angine de Poitrine – Vol.II
Yep, we’re part of the psyop, and you can be too should you pick up a copy. Just kidding – it’s just a nifty record that’s come out at exactly the right time with the exactly right amount of human (alien?) goofy-ness. If the visual aspect of the band is vaguely triggering for you, we get it, and the record still imparts impeccable weirdo vibes without nightmarish polka-dot associations. It’s not super technical, but when people ask us if it’s math rock, we take the win.
ZENI GEVA + Steve Albini – Superunit: Maximum Implosion
On one hand, for damn near an entire generation this is an automatic, on-sight purchase thanks to its roster of distinguished names. But we have a feeling that it’s also going to be an entry point for some lucky young kids only just beginning to discover magic from this era through revitalized interest in 90’s post-hardcore, so whoever picks it up, we’re ecstatic for.
Hyper Gal – Our Hyper
The ZENI GEVA record isn’t the only craziness SKiN Graft brought to the table this year, as Hyper Girl’s bombastic assault Our Hyper came out recently as well. It’s searing and hypnotic at the same time, and though we haven’t had a ton of time to write about it, it’s one of our favorite records of the year. Also in the FWIW category, the mix on streaming sounds incredible, but we bet Taku Unami’s production shines even brighter on vinyl, so keep an eye out.
Cult and Culture – A Planet B Podcast Compilation LP
Fans of noisy counter-culture will want to make sure to check multiple stores for a copy of this one with excellent appearances from The Locust, Swing Kids, HIRS Collective, Planet B, and many more.
Don Caballero – American Don (Deluxe Edition)
Even though math rock is getting more popular, few releases in the genre garner such a reputation that they don’t need an introduction. But American Don is one of them. That haircut has been oozing cool since the year 2000, and with new mastering from Bob Weston and True Live Tapes editions of most of the tracks, you’d be insane not to buy it again even if you already have a copy.
Hikes – Winnower
One of math rock’s most beloved modern acts, Hikes is finally back with an LP that deftly expands their boundaries while staying in touch what’s made them not just unique up to this point, but vital. Nay’s singular voice and the music surrounding it are as intricate as ever with new flourishes and dynamics, and whether they’re softer, edgier, or more electronic, they never dip for a second below the absurd level of quality they’ve already upheld, so if you’re already a fan, don’t hesitate. If you’re not, grab your wallet and prepare to be.
Big Scary Monsters – hi there
This twenty-five year celebration compilation from BSM artists like Bicurious, Alpha Male Tea Party and Michael Cera Palin, offering an important snapshot of the last quarter century’s sonic progress. The label’s keen ear for talent helped steer a lot of the discourse around math rock’s evolution throughout the 2000’s, so if you’re looking for a piece of history with a cute dog on it, you could do a lot worse than this one.
Half Life: Alyx – Valve
Ipecac always finds themselves in the coolest damn places, and that includes distributing soundtrack vinyl for cream of the crop industry titans Valve, most widely known for developing the Half Life series and establishing Steam. The soundtracks for the first two Half Life games subtly embedded themselves in the ambient + bass music scenes, but HL:A does so with much more presence of mind, showing off a lot more movement and melody and without compromising the series’ thick, inescapable atmosphere.
CoLD SToRAGE – wipE’out” The Zero Gravity Soundtrack Vol.2
To be honest we would not expect to see this one in the U.S. without much effort, but if we saw it we’d have little choice other than immediately bringing it to the nearest register. Hell, even if this one is markedly weirder and essentially a collection of demos and unused parts, it’s a really unique hybrid that brings to mind more Autechre than Aphex Twin while staying distinctly themed for high speeds and anti-gravity mayhem.
Silent Hill F – Akira Yamaoka
Okay fiiine, last one. Apparently you’ll be able to find this OST as a CD in certain record stores for Record Store Day 2026, and if you’re into horror games and you see it, you’re obligated to pick it up. Many of 2025’s fiercest soundtracks got lost in the wake of Claire Obscure last year, and Silent Hill F deserves to get it’s flowers for how bold and bizarre it is while staying in line with what people expect from the series.
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