Vinyl Record Sales Continued to Break Records in 2018

Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, takes a look at the Continued Rise of Vinyl in Nielsen’s end-of-year statistics

The numbers are in and 2018 was another record-breaking year for vinyl music sales.

According to Nielsen Music, sales of vinyl records climbed to new heights last year, moving 16.8 million units, a rise of nearly 15% over 2017, marking a new 13-year high for the format. That is also the largest number of vinyl units sold since Nielsen began keeping track in 1991. Vinyl now makes up 19.1% of all physical albums sold in the United States.

Markedly, it wasn’t new releases that drove US vinyl sales. Of the top 10 best-selling vinyl albums of the year, nine of them were catalog titles that came out more than five years ago. The 2014 ‘Guardians of the Galaxy: Awesome Mix Vol. 1’ soundtrack came in at number one with approximately 84,000 units sold, followed by titles from Michael Jackson, Fleetwood Mac, The Beatles,  Prince, Bob Marley, Queen and Amy Winehouse, respectively. Panic! At The Disco’s ‘Pray for the Wicked,’ which came in at number 10 with approximately 59,000 units sold, was the only album released in the last year to reach the top 10.

Vinyl unit sales were much higher in general than they were over the last year or two. The top 10 vinyl albums of 2018 sold roughly 698,000 units, upwards of 100,000 units more than 2017’s roughly 579,000.  In 2018, 79 titles sold more than 20,000 units compared to 77 in 2017 and 58 in 2016. Similarly, 14 albums sold more than 50,000 units, almost double the eight that achieved that feat in 2017.

The report found that a majority of these sales were made at independent shops. Small retailers made up approximately 41.1% of total vinyl sales in 2018. That number exceeds online and mail order purchases, which accounted for 40.9%, as well as vinyl purchases made at chains and big box stores, which made up 10.5% and 3.9%, respectively. Nielson chalks this up to exclusive releases only available at indie shops, such as the ones released during Record Store Day. In 2018, Record Store Day’s main April event saw its largest turn out yet, coming out as the third largest vinyl sales week since Nielsen started keeping track.

Unfortunately, vinyl’s continued resurgence was one of the only bright spots in music sales this year. As a whole, album sales were down again, this time 17.7% from 2017, moving 141 million units. Of that number, 88 million were sold on a physical format, down 15.8%. And while CDs continue to make up the majority of physical sales, that number dropped 20.9% over the last year. Digital downloads also fared poorly, dropping 20.7%.

This is due in large part to streaming, which grew by 49% in 2018. In fact, streaming is probably the only reason music consumption showed an increase for the year. Drake’s ‘Scorpion’ was the most consumed album of the year as both the album and its tracks set records upon their release.

Despite another year of falling album sales, vinyl records have been able to maintain their impressive comeback. Bolstered by exclusive releases and the desire for classic rock albums, sales of the format continued to rise in 2018. With these trends increasing year over year for more than a decade, it doesn’t look like vinyl is going anywhere any time soon.

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Vinyl records are alive and well at Vinyl Bay 777! As Long Island’s top new independent record shop, we have thousands of titles to choose in variety of genres to satisfy most music fans. Drop by our Plainview location or shop online at vinylbay777.com to browse our wide selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, music DVDs and memorabilia. With more titles being added to our selection all the time, you never know what you might find at Vinyl Bay 777.

Vinyl Bay 777’s Favorite Songs of 2018

2018 was an amazing year for music. From big artists who dominated the year’s musical discourse to up-and-comers who really made an impact, there was no shortage of great tunes out there for our listening pleasure. And now that we only have a few more days until 2019 begins, this is the perfect opportunity to step back and remember the music that really stood out.

As 2018 comes to a close, Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, is taking a look back at some of our favorite songs from the past year. From hip-hop and pop to indie and rock, here are eight songs that we hoped you loved as much as we did.

1.       Childish Gambino, “This Is America”: I’m not even a fan of today’s rap style and this is a great song. “This Is America” harnesses the power of words to make a bold, powerful statement about our culture. It makes itself well understood, using pacing to make its message digestible. The song also had one of the best videos this year and really got people talking. (video)

2.       Superorganism, “Everybody Wants To Be Famous”: Low key and unassuming, “Everybody Wants To Be Famous” was a breakout single for Superorganism this year. The song’s mild tempo, minimalist feel and confident-yet-odd lyrics are a testament to the band’s off the beaten path aesthetic and is made for the internet age. (video)

3.       Courtney Barnett, “Nameless, Faceless”: Courtney Barnett isn’t afraid to “tell it like it is” in her lyrics. “Nameless, Faceless” is proof of that. Backed by a psychedelic-ish guitar melody, the song serves out a perfectly worded response to the differences men and women face out in public. During the verses, she doesn’t back down as she nonchalantly reprimands a guy for putting her down and wonders what happened to him to make him say something like that. (video)

4.       Death Cab For Cutie, “Gold Rush”: Everyone can relate to the feeling when everything around you seems to be changing without you. Death Cab For Cutie captures that perfectly in “Gold Rush.” Written by Ben Gibbard about how the neighborhood he grew up in has changed, he paints a vivid picture of his feelings through metaphor and melody. It’s far from the melancholy days of “I Will Follow You Into the Dark,” but just as emotional and grabbing. (video)

5.       The 1975, “It’s Not Living (If It’s Not With You)”: There is a certain cold, 80s electronic element that permeates The 1975’s recent singles like “Love It If We Made It” and “Give Yourself A Try” (though both do have their positive points). But “It’s Not Living” feels different. While still clearly 80s-inspired, it has the bounce of a synth-pop track. It’s upbeat (even if the lyrics aren’t) and catchy. (video)

6.       Dan + Shay, “Tequila”: Country duo Dan + Shay had a ton of success this year, including two number one songs on country radio. The first of these was “Tequila,” a wistful track about the things that make you remember that someone special. It’s pleasantly somber yet joyful at the same time. (video)

7.       Barns Courtney, “99”: It seemed to be a theme this year in music to reminisce about the 1990s. However, none of those songs quite capture the essence of growing up in that decade like Barns Courtney’s “99.” Its nostalgic for the era, but doesn’t’ hit you over the head with references or that “simpler time” feeling. Instead he relates a love story in the lyrics, using a swirling guitar melody to wrap around it and provide a funky, totally unique vibe. (video)

8.       Marshmello feat. Bastille, “Happier”: At this point “Happier” feels a bit played out, as it has been a major crossover radio hit for both EDM DJ Marshmello and rock band Bastille. But its popularity is a function of it being a pretty brilliant collaboration. The song’s mood is decidedly bright for lyrics that depict a guy deciding that he has to leave his significant other in order for that person to be happy. But that melody and infectious beat is what adds to the song’s appeal. (video)

Further listening:

·         Panic! at the Disco, “High Hopes”

·         Florence + the Machine, “Hunger”

·         Dua Lipa, “IDGAF”

·         Stand Atlantic, “Skinny Dipping”

This past year was filled with amazing music from start to finish. Enjoy this look back at some of our favorite songs of 2018 and let us know what songs left an impact on you this year in the comments below.

Happy New Year!

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Discover music new and old at Vinyl Bay 777. As Long Island’s top new independent record shop, we have thousands of titles to choose from in a wide variety of genres. Browse our selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, music DVDs, memorabilia and more in store at our Plainview location or online at vinylbay777.com. Whether you’re looking for something new or to rediscover the classics, we have you covered. And with more titles being added to our selection all the time, you never know what you might find at Vinyl Bay 777.

Albums Coming Out in December 2018

December is here! As the year begins to draw to a close, there is still much to look forward to in the coming weeks. That includes new album releases.

Even with the holiday slow down, there are still some hot new releases coming before we hit 2019. Zayn Malik’s long-awaited new album will be hitting shelves. In hip-hop, Ice Cube makes his solo return after nearly a decade away while up-and-comer XXXTentacion drops his first posthumous album. Established rockers like Van Morrison, John Mellencamp and Bruce Springsteen all have albums coming out. This month will also see new pop punk releases from AFI and Reel Big Fish.

Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, loves new music. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of some of December 2018’s most anticipated new album releases. Here are seven we can’t wait to get our hands on.

(Note: This list does not reflect what we have or will get in store.)

1.       XXXTentacion, ‘Skins’: Controversial rapper XXXTentacion releases his third album today, the first following his death in June. The artist had been lauded as one of the best new voices in the hip-hop game, amassing a large following within a short period of time. (12/7)

2.       Van Morrison, ‘The Prophet Speaks’: The next installment in Van Morrison’s string of cover / original albums hits shelves today. This time, the singer takes on vocal jazz and R&B, paying homage to greats like Sam Cooke, WillieDixon and John Lee Hooker. (12/7)

3.       AFI, ‘The Missing Man’ EP: Following a string of teaser photos with only a silhouette of frontman Davey Havok present, dark pop-punk band AFI announced the release of a brand new EP, ‘The Missing Man.’ From the singles released thus far, it feels like the band is going back to their roots with the dark, pop-y sound of their early albums. (12/7)

4.       Ice Cube, ‘Everythang’s Corrupt’: After focusing on his successful NWA biopic ‘Straight Outta Compton,’ Ice Cube is back with his first solo album in eight years, ‘Everythang’s Corrupt.’ Not one to shy away from politics, the album is filled with tracks that challenging authority and making you think. (12/7)

5.       ZAYN, ‘Icarus Falls’: Former One Direction singer Zayn Malik returns with his sophomore solo album this month. More than a year in the making, the singer has released seven singles from the 27-track album so far, many of which have been charting around the world. (12/14)

6.       Bruce Springsteen, ‘Springsteen on Broadway’: For those who didn’t have a chance to see Bruce Springsteen’s one-man Broadway show before it closes this month (or those who want to relive it), The Boss is releasing a soundtrack album from the show. Featuring songs and commentary, it’s a companion piece to the Netflix special that also drops this month. (12/14)

7.       Reel Big Fish, ‘Life Sucks…Let’s Dance!’: It has been six years, but ska punks Reel Big Fish are finally releasing a new album, ‘Life Sucks…Let’s Dance,’ this month. According to an interview with AltPress, frontman Aaron Barrett said of the album, “There’s a little pissed off-ness in there and some sarcastic, funny lyrics as usual. Also, I just got married, so there might be a few sappy love songs on the album, too.” He continued, “We all get along really well these days, and everybody was excited to make a new record. Everybody had lots of great ideas and really got creative with everything, and I really think it shows.” (12/21)

Despite being at the end of the year, December still has some highly anticipated new albums hitting shelves. Check out some of our picks above and let us know what albums you’re looking forward to snagging in the comments below.

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Discover music new and old at Vinyl Bay 777. As Long Island’s favorite new independent record shop, we have thousands of titles to choose from in a variety of genres to suit most music fans. Browse our wide selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, music DVDs, memorabilia and more in store at our Plainview location or online at vinylbay777.com. Whether you’re looking for something new or to rediscover the classics, we have you covered. And with more titles being added to our selection all the time, you never know what you might find at Vinyl Bay 777.

Albums to Watch for in November 2018

We may be a full week into November, but the new releases are just getting started. There are still a plethora of high-profile albums coming out this month to get excited for.

From rock to pop to hip-hop, there is a lot going on in new music this November. Imagine Dragons, Muse, Mariah Carey, Smashing Pumpkins, The 1975, Kanye West, Mumford and Sons, Alessia Cara and Little Mix all have highly-anticipated albums coming out. Rock vets Mark Knopfler, J Mascis and Jeff Tweedy have new solo albums to look forward to. Lil Peep will be releasing his posthumous sophomore album. And that’s only the beginning.

Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, loves new music. That’s why we’re bringing you a list of albums coming out during the month of November. Here are 13 to keep an eye out for.

1.       Imagine Dragons, ‘Origins’: Imagine Dragons release their second album in just over a year this month with ‘Origins.’ Said to be a sister album to last year’s ‘Evolve,’ frontman Dan Reynolds told Billboard that ‘Origins’ is about “seeking new ground but also appreciating your roots.” Such seems to be the case as lead singles “Zero” and “Natural” are a bit more upbeat than their previous singles. (11/9)

2.       Muse, ‘Simulation Theory’: With their upcoming album ‘Simulation Theory,’ Muse adds a bit of retro 80s energy to their futuristic sound, a sound noticeably less dark than their previous set of albums. This is also the first time in a while that the band is not putting out a concept album, though there is an overarching theme of simulations. (11/9)

3.       Lil Peep, ‘Come Over When You’re Sober, Pt. 2’: Almost one year ago, up-and-coming rapper Lil Peep passed away from an accidental overdose. This week, the rapper will be releasing his first posthumous album, ‘Come Over When You’re Sober, Pt. 2,’ a continuation of his 2017 debut. Melding “emo” and pop-punk with hip-hop and rap, the artist’s music was unlike anything the either scene had heard before. It will be interesting to see where this new set of songs takes Lil Peep’s memory and the genre as a whole.  (11/9)

4.       Laura Jane Grace & The Devouring Mothers, ‘Bought to Rot’: Against Me! frontwoman Laura Jane Grace has really broken out over the last few years. Her voice in the trans community and politics in general has been amplified tenfold since she came out. Now the singer breaks out on her own, releasing her second album with The Devouring Mothers, ‘Bought to Rot,’ this week (the first was credited to Grace as a solo album). Maintaining her blunt, straightforward lyrical style, Grace said in an interview with Rolling Stone that the album is more like a “mixtape,” a gathering of songs she wrote that she didn’t feel right turning into an Against Me! album. (11/9)

5.       Mariah Carey, ‘Caution’: After more than three decades in the game, Mariah Carey continues to be a relevant force in R&B and pop. And with her upcoming 15^th studio album dropping this month, it looks as if her star will continue to shine that much longer. She has already released four singles from the album, each of which have done moderately well on the charts. (11/16)

6.       Mark Knopfler, ‘Down the Road Wherever’: Dire Straits frontman Mark Knopfler returns this month with his ninth solo album, ‘Down the Road Wherever.’ The album is saidto be inspired by a number of subjects, one of which is his early days with the band. (11/16)

7.       Michael Bublé, ‘Love’: It has been a trying two years for Michael Bublé following the diagnosis of his eldest son with liver cancer. However, the singer has channeled his emotions into a new album, ‘Love,’ out this month. Bublé has said that the album is a letter of gratitude to his fans that have helped him through such a harrowing time. ‘Love’ is being billed as his “most romantic” album yet, featuring covers of some of the most beautiful songs ever written (“When I Fall in Love,” “I Only Have Eyes for You,” “Unforgettable”), plus a few sincere originals (like the Charlie Puth co-penned single “Love You Anymore”). (11/16)

8.       Smashing Pumpkins, ‘Shiny and Oh So Bright, Vol. 1: No Past. No Future. No Sun.’: It’s been 18 years since Smashing Pumpkins’ near original line-up released an album together. That changes this month when the team of Billy Corgan, James Iha and Jimmy Chamberlin cement their recent reunion with a brand new album, ‘Shiny and Oh So Bright, Vol. 1.’ So far the band has released one single, the haunting “Silvery Sometimes (Ghosts),” showing off a sound that does not seem to have aged too much since the last time they played together. (11/16)

9.       Mumford & Sons, ‘Delta’: Mumford & Sons return this month with their fourth studio album, ‘Delta.’ The album is said to take the band back to their original acoustic folk rock sound but with a twist, incorporating elements of jazz, rap and electronic in there as well. (11/16)

10.   Kanye West, ‘Yandhi’: Kanye West has had one heck of a year. The hip-hop artist released a solo album, ‘Ye,’ and a collaborative album, ‘Kids See Ghosts,’ with Kid Cudi, as well as took on the role of producer for albums by Pusha T and Teyana Taylor. He also divided his fanbase with his high-profile political rants. Now West is set to release his second album five months, ‘Yandhi,’ this month. The album was supposed to come out in September, but failed to materialize. (11/23)

11.   The 1975, ‘A Brief Inquiry into Online Relationships’: The 1975 have been inescapable over the last few months, premiering single after single from their upcoming album ‘A Brief Inquiry into Online Relationships.’ The new songs amp up the indie-pop vibe in their sound, making them just pop-y and catchy enough for radio airplay. (11/30)

12.   Alessia Cara, ‘The Pains of Growing’: Reigning ‘Best New Artist’ Grammy winner Alessia Cara had a big year last year with her single “Scars.” Now she looks to extend that success with her sophomore album, ‘The Pains of Growing.’ Featuring some of her most personal songs to date, the album is about growing up and going through changes. (11/30)

13.   Jeff Tweedy, ‘WARM’: Wilco frontman Jeff Tweedy is heading out on his own with his first proper solo album ‘WARM.’ The album coincides with the release of his memoir ‘Let’s Go (So We Can Get Back).’ (11/30)

November will see a slew of new, highly-anticipated album releases. Keep an eye out for the albums above and let us know what albums you’re excited to get your hands on this month.

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Find music new and old at Vinyl Bay 777. As Long Island’s top new independent record shop, we have thousands of titles in a wide variety of genres to choose from. Browse our selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, music DVDs, memorabilia and more in store at our Plainview location or online at vinylbay777.com. Whether you’re looking for something new or to rediscover the classics, we have you covered. And with more titles being added to our selection all the time, you never know what gems you might find at Vinyl Bay 777.

Albums to Watch for in October 2018

October is here and along with the falling leaves, that means a new batch of albums are making their way to store shelves for your listening pleasure.

This month will see the release of a lot of highly anticipated rock and pop albums. Twenty One Pilots will be offering up their latest album to start off the month. Breakout band Greta Van Fleet will be releasing their long-awaited debut full length, while fellow breakout band The Struts releases their third album. Journey frontman Steve Perry makes his triumphant return to music after more than two decades with a brand new solo album. Coheed and Cambria, The 1975, Ace Frehley and Kurt Vile are also putting out new rock albums this October. Then in hip-hop / pop, The Black Eyed Peas are gearing up to release their first new album in eight years.

Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, loves new music. That’s why we’re taking a look at some of the hottest albums coming out in October. From rock and pop to hip-hop, here are 11 albums we can’t wait to get our hands on in the next month.

1.       Coheed and Cambria, ‘The Unheavenly Creatures’: After deviating from their sci-fi saga with 2015’s ‘The Color Before the Sun,’ Coheed and Cambria return with their ninth studio album, ‘The Unheavenly Creatures’ this month. This is the eighth installment of their ‘The Armory Wars’ series, picking up where the story left off after 2013’s ‘The Afterman: Descension.’  (10/5)

2.       Steve Perry, ‘Traces’: Stepping away from music for more than 25 years, Steve Perry returns  with a brand new solo album, ‘Traces.’ The former Journey frontman’s renewed passion for the musical arts is very apparent in the album’s proceeding singles, which sound fresh and on point. It’s as if he never left the game. (10/5)

3.       Twenty One Pilots, ‘Trench’: Hands down the most highly anticipated rock album of the year, Twenty One Pilots will finally release their fifth studio album, ‘Trench,’ this month. After blowing up big with 2015’s ‘Blurryface,’ the duo has come up with an album whose songs have a decidedly less commercial feel. Instead, the band opts for a more thematic, concept album approach. The different approach doesn’t seem to matter though, as fans have been dissecting the new music since the first singles came out in July. (10/5)

4.       Justin Courtney Pierre, ‘In The Drink’: Two years after Motion City Soundtrack said farewell to their fans, frontman Justin Courtney Pierre has decided to come front and center with his debut solo album, ‘In The Drink.’ The songs so far have been very reminiscent of his work with MCS, but have gone in a completely different direction. Pierre wrote all the music and played most of the instruments on the album with former band mate Joshua Cain producing. (10/12)

5.       Kurt Vile, ‘Bottle It In’: Following last year’s brilliant collaboration with Courtney Barnett, Kurt Vile will be releasing his seventh solo album, ‘Bottle It In.’ Vile’s minimalist style and tongue-in-cheek lyricism in the singles released so far are fantastic and definitely make this an album to look forward to. (10/12)

6.       Black Eyed Peas, ‘Masters Of The Sun’: The Black Eyed Peas will be releasing their first album in eight years, ‘Masters of the Sun,’ this month. Their first album in 15 years not to feature Fergie, the album also diverges from the celebratory nature of the group’s last two albums. Instead, ‘Masters’ goes back to the days when politics was their forte. The album deals with such difficult subjects as gun violence, race relations, police brutality and more. (10/12)

7.       Tom Morello, ‘The Atlas Underground’: Rage Against the Machine / Prophets of Rage / Audioslave guitarist Tom Morello announced a new solo project over the summer. According to an interview for Lars Ulrich’s Beats 1 radio show (reported on by Consequence of Sound) ‘The Atlas Underground’ is Morello’s attempt to release a “record that was the Jimi Hendrix of now” with extraordinary guitar playing. The album is also filled with guests including Mumford & Sons’ Marcus Mumford, Portugal. The Man, Gary Clark Jr., Killer Mike, Big Boi, Vic Mensa, Steve Aoki and more. (10/12)

8.       Greta Van Fleet, ‘Anthem Of The Peaceful Army’: Boosted by the success of 2016’s “Highway Tune,” Greta Van Fleet have a lot to live up to. The band will finally get the chance to show their chops this month when their debut full length, ‘Anthem of the Peaceful Army,’ hits shelves. With a style that channels old school Led Zeppelin, these guys are the ones to watch on the rock front. (10/19)

9.       Ace Frehley, ‘Spaceman’: Former Kiss guitarist Ace Frehley will be releasing his eighth solo album this month, his first album of new songs since 2014. The album will also feature a couple of collaborations with Kiss bandmate Gene Simmons, who co-wrote and recorded two of the album’s eight originals. (10/19)

10.   The Struts, ‘Young & Dangerous’: Four years after the release of their debut album, The Struts return with a new album of head-turning glam rock this month, ‘Young and Dangerous.’ The popularity of the album’s first single “Body Talks” is enough to make this an album to watch for, but the band’s over-the-top stage presence and sound that is seriously reminiscent of Queen make them a band to keep an eye out for over the next few years. (10/26)

11.   The 1975, ‘A Brief Inquiry Into Online Relationships’: British alt-rockers The 1975 changed up their sound a bit for their third album, ‘A Brief Inquiry Into Online Relationships,’ slated to come out later this month. The album’s previously released singles sound very 80s synth-pop inspired with lyrics that try to “tell it like it is.” (10/26)

October is looking to be a big month for new releases. With a wealth of highly anticipated albums on the horizon, there is a lot of music to get excited for. Keep an eye out for the albums above and let us know what albums you’re looking forward to this month in the comments below.

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Discover music new and old at Vinyl Bay 777. As Long Island’s top new independent record shop, we have thousands of titles to choose from in a wide range of genres to suit most music lover’s tastes. Browse our selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, music DVDs, memorabilia and more in store at our Plainview location or online at vinylbay777.com. With more titles being added to our selection all the time, you never know what you might find at Vinyl Bay 777.

Albums Coming Out in August 2018

With the new month of August starting tomorrow, summer release season continues to rage on. That means there is a whole new roster of album releases to get excited for.

August is filled with a lot of highly anticipated new albums. Ariana Grande and Nicki Minaj both have huge releases slated to come out in the next month. The same goes for rock bands Alice in Chains and Death Cab for Cutie. Lovelytheband is slated to release its debut album, as is Bon Iver / The National side project Big Red Machine. Jason Mraz is releasing a new album sure to fit the warmth of the summer sun. August will also see some unexpected new music from the likes of Alkaline Trio, Plain White T’s and Blue October.

Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, loves new music. That’s why we’re taking a look ahead at some of August’s hot new releases. Here are nine that we think will be worth picking up in the coming month.

1.       Lovelytheband, ‘Finding It Hard to Smile’: Lovelytheband had a breakout year in 2017, with their debut single “Broken” becoming a huge alt-rock hit. Though their second single “These Are My Friends” hasn’t hit quite the same level of success, the song hits the same pop-y, easily consumable notes as the first. If the rest of the album is like this, than the band could have one of the biggest underground albums of the summer. (8/3)

2.       Jason Mraz, ‘Know’: Jason Mraz consistently comes out with amazing, catchy, laid-back tunes from album to album and from what I’ve heard of ‘Know’ so far, his latest album will be no different. “Have It All” in particular merges the fast-talking wordplay of his early work with the acoustic, happy-go-lucky feel of his more recent fare, making for a well-rounded sound. (8/10)

3.       Nicki Minaj, ‘Queen’: It seems like Nicki Minaj has been everywhere on everyone else’s albums over the last few years, but keeping quiet about the progress of her own work. That changed in April when the rapper announced a new album, ‘Queen,’ and released two back-to-back singles. Minaj continues to keep many of the album’s details quiet though, as she has not released an official track list yet. However, with Minaj’s unique flow and style, there is no doubt that theis album will sit on top of the sales charts. (8/10)

4.       Death Cab for Cutie, ‘Thank You for Today’: A lot has happened with Death Cab for Cutie since they released 2015’s ‘Kintsugi,’ the biggest of which was the departure of founding member Chris Walla. Now with Ben Gibbard as the sole original member, the band comes back with their ninth studio album, ‘Thank You for Today,’ this August. The album’s first single, “Gold Rush,” which is described as a “requiem” for changing neighborhoods and features a sample from Yoko Ono’s “Mind Train,” is memorable and the proper continuation of the indie-rock sound the band has helped define. (8/17)

5.       Ariana Grande, ‘Sweetener’: Ariana Grande’s upcoming fourth album, ‘Sweetener,’ is one of the most anticipated albums of the summer. Having released three singles from the album so far, each has charted on the Billboard Hot 100 and people have been especially enthusiastic about the innovativeness of “No Tears Left to Cry” and “God Is a Woman.” Sales also won’t be hurt by the fact that she has been in the public eye for more than her music lately; she recently got engaged to comedian Pete Davidson, for whom she wrote the namesake song on the album. (8/17)

6.       Blue October, ‘I Hope You’re Happy’: Blue October took a more positive approach with their upcoming album, ‘I Hope You’re Happy.’ While many of the band’s previous songs have dealt with pain and mental strife, the title track seems to find frontman Justin Furstenfeld reconciling with life. The sound is less dark too, adding in a bit more synth and pep. It will be interesting to hear were this new sound takes them. (8/17)

7.       Alice in Chains, ‘Rainier Fog’: It’s been five years, but Alice in Chains is back with a brand new album. ‘Rainier Fog’ is the grunge / metal band’s sixth album and first for the BMG label. According to a Rolling Stone interview feature, vocalist / guitarist Jerry Cantrell said that much of the album is a look back at where the band came from, with inspiration coming from the Seattle music scene, as well as the bands that inspired them to play (especially on the title track). (8/24)

8.       Alkaline Trio, ‘Is This Thing Cursed?’: Alkaline Trio have been quietly at work on a new album, ‘Is This Thing Cursed?’,” their first in five years. Now the band is ready to share what they’ve come up with. According to an interview with the band in New Noise Magazine, the writing for the album was very similar to that of their second album, ‘Maybe I’ll Catch Fire,’ with vocalist / bassist Dan Andriano saying “I really feel like we made a record that the old school fans are going to dig.” (8/31)

9.       Big Red Machine, ‘Big Red Machine’: Earlier this year, Bon Iver frontman Justin Vernon and The National’s Aaron and Bryce Dessner started a new side project called Big Red Machine, releasing four songs through a new streaming website they created, PEOPLE. Now the group is putting out an official, self-titled album. This could be an interesting collaboration considering the two bands’ very different sounds. (8/31)

August is gearing up to be a great month for new music. With highly anticipated pop, rock and rap albums on the horizon, there is a lot to look forward to. Keep an eye out for some of the albums above and let us know which new releases you can’t wait to check out.

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Find music new and old from your favorite artists at Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s favorite new independent record shop. We have thousands of titles to choose from in a wide variety of genres. Browse our selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, music DVDs and memorabilia in store at our Plainview location or online at vinylbay777.com. Whether you’re looking to find something new or to reacquaint yourself with the classics, we have you covered. And with more titles being added to our selection all the time, you never know what you might find at Vinyl Bay 777.

New Albums to Watch for in July 2018

July is here and that means summer release season is officially underway. And even though we are already one week into the month, there are still a lot of big artists putting out albums this month.

The July hotlist kicked off last week with hot new releases from We The Kings and Years & Years, and this month’s releases are only get better. Ariana Grande’s highly anticipated new album is getting ready to hit shelves. Hard rock will be getting its due with releases from Halestorm, Rise Against, Dee Snider and newly formed supergroup Beach Rats. Rick Astley continues his resurgence with his upcoming album, while Iggy Pop continues to reinvent himself with his.

Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, loves new music. That’s why we’re taking a look ahead at some of July’s upcoming album releases. Here are nine albums we think will be worth keeping an eye out for.

1.       Rick Astley, ‘Beautiful Life’: In 2016, Rick Astley made a musical comeback, releasing his first album in 11 years, ’50.’ With the popularity of that album, the “Never Gonna Give You Up” singer comes back with his eighth studio effort, ‘Beautiful Life,’ this month. Written and produced by Astley, who even plays all the instruments on the album himself, the album is said to be filled with upbeat “gems.” And if the first single, “Beautiful Life,” is any indication, this could very well be a great album. (7/13)

2.       The Suffers, ‘Everything Here’: Houston, TX soul-rockers The Suffers have been gaining ground on the indie-rock circuit ever since the release of their self-titled debut in 2016. The eight-piece band now returns with their sophomore album, ‘Everything Here,’ refining and defining their sound with an album that “explores the many sides of love, celebrates the virtues of individuality, reminds us of the destruction of Harvey and resilience of the human spirit and declares love for their mothers.” (7/13)

3.       Ariana Grande, ‘Sweetener’: Actress-turned-singer Ariana Grande’s highly anticipated fourth album ‘Sweetener’ will be hitting shelves this month. The follow-up to 2016’s ‘Dangerous Woman,’ ‘Sweetener’s lead single “No Tears Left to Cry” has already proven successful on the charts. That mixed with the amount of tabloid press she has been getting lately are sure to drum up album sales. (7/20)

4.       Public Image Limited, ‘The Public Image is Rotten (Songs from the Heart)’: For Public Image Limited’s 40^th anniversary, the band is releasing a massive box set. Available in five-CD/two-DVD , six-LP and digital formats, the set is slated to feature all of their singles, plus b-sides, rarities, unreleased studio sessions, remixes and dance tracks and an entire live show recorded at New York’s Ritz in 1989. (7/20)

5.       Halestorm, ‘Vicious’: Halestorm return with their fourth full-length studio album, ‘Vicious,’ this month, and this time they’re showing just how hard they can rock. Produced by Nick Raskulinecz, the band told Loudwire that he “pushed them to the limits,” resulting in a hard-hitting album with the intensity of a live show. (7/27)

6.       Underworld & Iggy Pop, ‘Teatime Dub Encounters’: Coming off 2016’s ‘Post Pop Depression,’ Iggy Pop has a new collaborative project he’s been working on. This time, the punk icon turns his attention to electronic music, working with Underworld on ‘Teatime Dub Encounters.’ From the singles they have released so far, Pop’s voice and Underworld’s sound work well together. (7/27)

7.       Beach Rats, ‘Wasted Time EP’: Punk rock supergroup Beach Rats made their live debut earlier this year and are now gearing up to release their debut EP. The band features Ari Katz (Lifetime) on vocals, Brian Baker (Minor Threat, Bad Religion, Samhain) and  Brian Kienlen (Bouncing Souls) on guitar, Pete Steinkopf (Bouncing Souls) on bass and Danny Windas on drums, so you know that this combination is going to rock. (7/27)

8.       Rise Against, ‘The Ghost Note Symphonies, Vol. 1’: Hear Rise Against like never before! The band has re-imagined some of their songs for their latest album, ‘The Ghost Note Symphonies, Vol. 1.’ According to the band, the songs are “stripped down, with alternate instrumentation, unique orchestration and a surprise or two.” (7/27)

9.       Dee Snider, ‘For the Love of Metal’: The fourth solo album from Twisted Sister frontman Dee Snider, ‘For the Love of Metal’ is Snider’s attempt at creating a “contemporary rock record.” According to a Blabbermouth interview with producer Jamey Jasta, the album is filled with heavy, anthemic songs that harken back to the Twisted Sister days and show off his iconic vocals in a new way. (7/27)

There are a lot of hot new albums coming out this July. From pop to hard rock, there are a lot of titles you are not going to want to miss. Keep an eye out for some of our picks and let us know what albums you’re excited to pick up this month.

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Find music new and old at Long Island’s favorite new independent record shop, Vinyl Bay 777. We have thousands of titles to choose from in a range of genres to fit the tastes of most music fans. Browse our wide selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, music DVDs, memorabilia and more in store at our Plainview location or online at vinylbay777.com. With more titles being added to our selection all the time, you never know what you might find at Vinyl Bay 777.

Albums Being Released in June 2018

June is almost here! That means that summer is right around the corner, bringing with it longer days and warmer weather. It also means the start of summer album release season, with a whole host of new albums coming out to get excited for.

From rock to hip-hop and everything in between, there are a lot of big albums being released in June. Kanye West is putting out his controversial new album. Christina Aguilera makes her return with a fearless new sound. There are highly-anticipated new albums from rock bands like Florence + the Machine, Nine Inch Nails, Panic! at the Disco, Dave Matthews Band and Gorillaz, as well as Linkin Park’s Mike Shinoda. We will also be seeing some new music from legends like Roger Daltrey, Buddy Guy and The English Beat.

Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, loves new music. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of new albums coming out in the month of June. Here are 12 we can’t wait to get our hands on.

1.       Kanye West, ‘Love Everyone’: Kanye West has been everywhere lately. Aside from the controversial statements he’s been making, much of it is also due to the impending release of his eighth studio album, ‘Love Everyone.’ So far, West has released two singles from the album, “Lift Yourself” and “Ye Vs. the People,” which both received praise from critics and earned spots on the Billboard Hot 100. If the album can draw as much hype as his words, then this could be one of the most anticipated albums of the summer. (6/1)

2.       Roger Daltrey, ‘As Long as I Have You’: Roger Daltrey releases his first solo album in four years this June. ‘As Long as I Have You’ will feature originals as well as covers of songs The Who frontman found transformative in his life. Special guests include Mick Talbot, Sean Genockey and Pete Townshend, who plays guitar on more than half the album, making this the first time the Who bandmates have made new music together since 2006. (6/1)

3.       Sheppard, ‘Watching the Sky’: Following the success of their 2014 debut full-length, Australian family band Sheppard is hoping to keep up the momentum with their second album, ‘Watching the Sky,’ this June. The band has already released five high-energy indie-pop singles from the album, all of which have charted in the top 10 in Australia with “Coming Home” already reaching platinum status. (6/8)

4.       Dave Matthews Band, ‘Come Tomorrow’: It has been six years since Dave Matthews Band released ‘Away From The World’ in 2012. That changes next month when the band releases their ninth album, ‘Come Tomorrow.’ This will be their first album without longtime violinist Boyd Tinsley, who was fired from the band earlier this year. From the singles released so far, this sounds like it might be a quieter album than some of their previous work. (6/8)

5.       Buddy Guy, ‘The Blues Is Alive And Well’: Still going strong at 81, Buddy Guy releases his 17^th solo album, ‘The Blues Is Alive And Well,’ this June. The blues legend’s album features guest appearances from The Rolling Stones’ Mick Jaggar and Keith Richards, Jeff Beck and relative newcomer James Bay. (6/15)

6.       Christina Aguilera, ‘Liberation’: Christina Aguilera reinvents herself with every new album she releases and ‘Liberation’ is no exception. Going for a more personal vibe, Aguilera has said that the album is about freedom and letting herself be who she really is. While the album’s first single, “Acceleration,” is an okay track, second single “Fall in Line” is a bold, powerful tune that could easily help Aguilera get her music back into the spotlight. (6/15)

7.       Mike Shinoda, ‘Post Traumatic’: Since late last year, Linkin Park’s Mike Shinoda has been releasing solo recordings and self-made music videos, many of which dealt with the pain of losing bandmate Chester Bennington. Over the last year though, the project has evolved into an entire album, ‘Post Traumatic,’ set to be released next month. In an interview with Variety, Shinoda says that while the album starts out dark and heavy, the rest of the album finds a way out of the darkness. (6/15)

8.       The English Beat Starring Dave Wakeling, ‘Here We Go Love’: Dave Wakeling is finally releasing an album with his line-up of The English Beat, 36 years after the last official English Beat album. The product of a successful PledgeMusic campaign, ‘Here We Go Love’ tries to find a balance between love songs and politics, as well as that perfect ska sound. Early reviews of the album have been positive. (6/15)

9.       Nine Inch Nails, ‘Bad Witch’: Though labeled as an album, Nine Inch Nails’ ‘Bad Witch,’ is the third and final installment of their recent EP trilogy. Being released nearly a year after their last EP, frontman Trent Reznor said that the band needed the time for the album to “reveal” itself to them. If lead single “God Break Down the Door” is any indication, the album will be filled with six artistic and well-planned out tracks. (6/22)

10.   Panic! At The Disco, ‘Pray For The Wicked’: Following the mainstream success of their 2016 album ‘Death of a Bachelor,’ Panic! At The Disco is back with a new album. Titled ‘Pray for the Wicked,’ the album, according to frontman Brendon Urie in NME, was written as a way to thank the fans for everything that has happened to him over the last two years. So far, the band has released two upbeat, sample-filled singles to promote the album that definitely give me “high, high hopes” for it. (6/22)

11.   Florence + The Machine, ‘High As Hope’: More than a year in the making, Florence + the Machine are gearing up to release their fourth studio album, ‘High As Hope,’ this June. Second single “Hunger” has been a massive hit on alternative radio already, which bodes well for the album. (6/29)

12.   Gorillaz, ‘The Now Now’: Gorillaz has announced that they will be releasing their sixth album next month. ‘The Now Now’ comes just one year after the release of ‘Humanz,’ the animated band’s first release in seven years. Though there aren’t many details yet, work on a new album was teased last year by animator / co-creator Jamie Hewlett who said that it will bring the band in a different direction. There was more teasing over the weekend, with posters appearing near London’s All Points East festival, as well as Instagram and Twitter posts from the Damon Albarn and Emma De Caunes. (6/29)

As June approaches, there are a lot of new albums coming out to get excited about. Check out some of our most anticipated releases above and let us know what albums you’re looking forward to in the coming month.

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Discover music new and old at Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s favorite new independent record shop. We have thousands of titles in a wide range of genres to choose from. Browse our selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, music DVDs and memorabilia in store at our Plainview location or online at vinylbay777.com. Whether you’re looking to discover something new or rediscover the classics, we have you covered. And with more titles being added to our selection all the time, you never know what you might find at Vinyl Bay 777.

Albums Coming Out in May 2018

Happy May! A new month means a whole new batch of albums coming your way to get excited over.

 

Though the first week of May is over, there are still a lot of great albums coming out this month to watch for. Arctic Monkeys are making their return to music after five years. Korn frontman Jonathan Davis is making his solo debut. Charlie Puth and Courtney Barnett are looking to follow-up the success of their debut albums with their upcoming sophomore efforts. Five Finger Death Punch is finally releasing their long awaited new album.

Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, loves new music. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of some of the top pop and rock albums coming out in the month of May. Here are eight that we think will be worth watching for.

1.       Arctic Monkeys, ‘Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino’: It’s been five years since the music world has heard anything from English indie-rockers Arctic Monkeys. That will change this month when the band releases their sixth studio album, ‘Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino.’ The band continues to keep much of what is on the album under wraps, not releasing any singles before the album’s full release. However, according to early reviews, the album will sound nothing like 2013’s ‘AM,’ taking on a more piano-driven, jazzy sound. (5/11)

2.       Bad Wolves, ‘Disobey’: Hard rock supergroup Bad Wolves were thrust into the spotlight earlier this year following the news that Cranberries frontwoman Delores O’Riordan passed away the day before she was supposed to record a cover of her hit “Zombie” with them. The cover, which was released as a single with all proceeds going to O’Riordan’s children, earned the group a spot at the top of the rock charts in the US. Hear “Zombie,” as well as singles “Learn to Live,” “Hear Me Now” and more when the band releases their debut album this month. (5/11)

3.       Charlie Puth, ‘Voicenotes’: After being delayed a few months, pop singer Charlie Puth will be releasing his sophomore album, ‘Voicenotes,’ this month. According to an interview with Billboard, Puth said that the album is meant to sound completely different than his debut, producing it to have a dark, 80s R&B vibe instead of a happy-go-lucky pop one. (5/11)

4.       Courtney Barnett, ‘Tell Me How You Really Feel’: Australian singer/songwriter Courtney Barnett will be releasing her second solo album this month, following last year’s brilliant collaboration with Kurt Vile, ‘Lotta Sea Lice.’ Single “Nameless, Faceless” features the same deadpan delivery and thought-provoking, direct lyrics Barnett has become known for. (5/18)

5.       Five Finger Death Punch, ‘And Justice for None’: After a legal struggle with their label prompted it to be shelved for more than a year, Five Finger Death Punch is finally releasing their seventh studio album, ‘And Justice for None.’ Much of the album is inspired by these legal issues, as is the title. (5/18)

6.       BTS, ‘Love Yourself: Tear’: K-Pop fever has taken hold of the world in the last few years and seven-member boy band BTS has been at the forefront of the fanfare. The group prepares to release their sixth studio album (and third Korean-language album), ‘Love Yourself: Tear,’ this month, which is already making waves in Korea having already surpassed one million pre-orders. (5/18)

7.       Snow Patrol, ‘Wildness’: Snow Patrol’s first album of new material in more than seven years, the band will be releasing their seven album, ‘Wildness,’ this month. The album was supposed to be released in 2016; however frontman Gary Lightbody completely scrapped the recordings in favor of writing the album from scratch. (5/25)

8.       Jonathan Davis, ‘Black Labyrinth’: Having fronted Korn for 25 years, frontman Jonathan Davis is finally releasing his debut solo album this month. The album has been more than a decade in the making, with writing first beginning in 2007. Davis has said that the album’s sound will be a bit different from that of a typical Korn album, telling LA Weekly that it has a much more varied sound. (5/25)

There are a lot of great albums making their way to shelves in the month of May. From metal and hard rock to indie and pop, there is something for the tastes of many different music fans. Keep an eye out for the releases above and let us know what new albums you’re excited for this month.

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Find music new and old at Vinyl Bay 777. Long Island’s favorite new independent record shop has thousands of titles to choose from in a variety of genres to suit all musical tastes. Browse our wide selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, music DVDs, memorabilia and more in store at our Plainview location or online at vinylbay777.com. With more titles being added to our selection all the time, you never know what you might find at Vinyl Bay 777.