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A look at how to support female artists and independent record stores this Record Store Day.
12-inch vinyl records as we know them were first released in 1948 and stood as the most popular format for recorded music up until the 1980s with the creation of cassette tapes and CDs. Record sales hit a plateau as consumers leaned towards the digital age of music, but as with all trends, records have seen a powerful resurgence.
As of 2022, vinyl records have once again become the most popular physical format for recorded music. Many collectors credit this record revival to the difference in quality between records and digital recordings, as well as the nostalgic value that physical media holds.
For many collectors, music is all about connection. What better way to connect than by supporting your local community? Record Store Day, established in 2008, provides a way to do just that.
Record Store Day is an event that takes place in independent record stores across the globe and was created to boost local economies and celebrate the culture of the community. Music lovers begin lining up before sunrise for their chance at grabbing both Record Store Day exclusives and classic releases of their favorite albums.
When it comes to attending this high-traffic event, it’s best to come prepared with a few ideas of which records you’d like to add to your collection.
The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill - Lauryn Hill
Released in 1998, rapper and singer Lauryn Hill’s debut album won a Grammy for Best R&B Album in 1999 and has since become a staple in any music aficionado’s collection. This concept album is renowned for its powerful lyricism and cultural significance, as Hill addresses the societal issues that Black women face and encourages independence from anyone who cannot handle the presence of a powerful woman.
Blue - Joni Mitchell
Joni Mitchell’s fourth studio album, released in 1971, has been named as one of the best female albums of all time due to Mitchell’s ability to encapsulate raw emotions, focusing on grief and finding one’s true identity. Not only did Mitchell write the album by herself, she was also one of the very few female artists at the time who produced her own music.
Fetch the Bolt Cutters - Fiona Apple
After an eight-year hiatus, singer-songwriter Fiona Apple released her fifth studio album, which won a Grammy for Best Alternative Music album in 2021. This album received critical acclaim for its unique use of percussion and experimental sound, yet its true glory lies within Apple’s unapologetic portrayal of passion through aggression. In a society where women are often expected to be soft and nurturing, this album flips the notion on its head and challenges listeners to feel the complexity of female emotion.
Now that you have a few recommendations of impactful and empowering female albums, you can look forward to celebrating Record Store Day 2025 at one of Knoxville’s local record stores. Wild Honey Records, Lost And Found and Basement Records are all independently owned and operated. Whether you’re a first-time buyer or avid collector, there’s no better time to add one of these iconic albums to your collection.
