SUDDEN LIGHT RECORDS - Blog

Record Store Day 2026 - The List

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 11:20:06 GMT

DATE: Saturday, APRIL 18TH, 2026
Doors open @ 8:30AM but the line usually starts earlier! Plan accordingly.
LOCATION: Sudden Light Records - DOWNSTAIRS in Jockey's Ridge Crossing in Nags Head across from the big sand dune! This will be our first RSD in our new location which is directly downstairs from our old location.

REMEMBER: The line can start as early as midnight sometimes, earlier. There is a Taylor Swift offering this year which means every RSD store line is likely to be very long this year so plan accordingly.

THE LINE: We are very proud of the kind & genuinely awesome people in our line every year. Please bring a positive attitude & good vibe to the line - every year our customers almost always end up with at least 4-5 items (if not more) on their list as most are not standing in line for the same titles, so don't let the length worry you! No holding spots in line, no cutting, everyone will enter the shop as they lined up. No buying for a friend, no holding spots - please be respectful of the people who took the time to stand for long periods of time over your friend texting you to grab something.

If the line is intimidating or you cannot physically be out there, we get it. We recommend showing up around 9:30am-10am which is when the initial line has usually made it through and you can get in and out pretty easily.

NO RESELLERS. This is a National Event Rule. Every store who participates in this event - nationwide - is required to sign pledges not to price gauge, hold back inventory to sell online later, or sell knowingly to resellers. The entire purpose of RSD is to support your local, independent record store - the reseller economy is a deeply problematic capitalist problem that local record stores struggle with year round, year after year. If we even catch a whiff that you are there to flip our exclusive records online for more than what they are being sold at our shop we will ask you to NEVER return to our store. If you want your local record store to survive in your community - whether it's here or where you are from - please do not contribute to the reseller economy.

PRO TIPS: Bring a chair, blanket & and weather appropriate clothes. We will have hot beverages (tea & coffee) and a small offering of snacks for those doing the line overnight but you may want to bring your own goodies to hold you over! Make new friends & be respectful of those catching some ZZZZs while you're out there!

Record Store Day Black Friday 2025

Mon, 24 Nov 2025 21:46:49 GMT

OBX Record Store Day 2025: The List

Mon, 07 Apr 2025 13:45:01 GMT

It's that time again and we've got our entire title sheet ready for you before the event THIS SATURDAY, April 12th! Remember, the doors open at 9:00AM but the line will very likely start well before that! If you are coming for Taylor Swift, we have A LOT of copies but she does sell out. Her last RSD release was sold out by 12pm, so we recommend getting there early for her. All other titles that we believe will sell out quickly are marked on the list below with a RED asterisk (*).

If this is your first time to Record Store Day on the Outer Banks: we recommend bringing a chair for the line. We will have treats, tea and coffee available for our customers who are waiting, too. The releases are IN ADDITION to our already existing inventory of NEW & USED vinyl records. The event is first come, first serve. There are no holds. One title per person, but you can buy different titles - meaning, you can buy as many records as you want, but you cannot buy up ALL of the same record. You only can have ONE Taylor Swift. If we find out that you are stuffing the line in order to by multiple copies, we will ask you to leave as this jeopardizes our ability to host the event each year.

NEW RELEASES IN THE SHOP THIS WEEK:

Below is a downloadable PDF should you want to zoom or print it out for the event.

NEW RECORD RADAR: February

Tue, 25 Mar 2025 20:24:59 GMT

Here's my February new record re-cap! It was a fun month!

Panda Bear - Sinister Grift
Noah Lennox, aka Panda Bear of Animal Collective, leans into his inner "Beach Boy" by crafting SINISTER GRIFT, a record full of buoyant, sun soaked beach jams. It’s like taking an edible and floating in the pool while listening to some Bob Marley to treat the heartbreak.

It’s an excellent record that I’ll be spinning all summer long.

8.5 out of 10

Sam Fender - PEOPLE WATCHING
PEOPLE WATCHING captures Sam Fender at a new crossroads as he tries to come to grips with his newfound fame while clinging to his Working Class upbringing and identity.

Every song soars with heartland rock, evoking Springsteen as he returns to his hometown to find it all in disarray. PEOPLE WATCHING is big, anthemic and full of feeling and shows Sam Fender is proving his mettle as one of the best Rock musicians in the world.

8 out of 10

Sharon Van Etten & The Attachment Theory - S/T
A gothic rock turn from singer/songwriter Sharon Van Etten, but at times sounds a bit thin. The album features a very heavy use of synths that makes many of the songs feel “samey”.

There’s not much that makes this album feel engaging. A little more time in the studio to fill out the sound would have helped.

6 Out Of 10

Bartees Strange - HORROR
Bartees Strange is best known for his ability to make each of his records a tapestry of interwoven genres by effortlessly hopping between rap, rock, folk and electronic. He takes a more steady approach with his new record, HORROR, by sticking to an Indie Rock formula that rarely crosses outside of its sonic boundaries.

Lyrically, he remains as engaging as ever as he mines his personal fears and lays them bare, but as brave as the lyrics are, I just wish he had been the same with the music compositions.

7 Out Of 10

Here are a few singles that dropped in February that I really enjoyed, too!

Bon Iver - EVERYTHING IS PEACEFUL LOVE• Laura Jane Grace - YOUR GOD (GODS DICK)
Ben Kweller - DOLLAR STORE (FEAT. WAXAHATCHEE) • Doechii - NOSEBLEEDS
Destroyer - HYDROPLANING OFF THE EDGE OF THE WORLD• PUP - HALLWAYS
Lucy Dacus - ANKLES • Perfume Genius - NO FRONT TEETH (FEAT. ALDOUS HARDING)

New Record Radar: January 2025

Sat, 08 Feb 2025 15:54:20 GMT

I've been wanting to share a few records that are on heavy rotation at the shop. I've put together a few thoughts on each one below and a little playlist if you'd like to listen in with me! As we move into 2025, my hope is to do more of these so folks can get a better understanding of my passion for music and maybe introduce you to something new and surprising!

Ethel Cain - PERVERTS
Ethel Cain pulls off a massive creative swing by creating an album full of ambient drone metal that wrestles with shame and love that may leave most fans in the cold.

PERVERTS wears its horror influences on its sleeve with its oppressive “Lynchian” soundscape and the overwhelming sense of unease of the 2023 film, Skinamarink. If you can penetrate the iron heart of this EP, you’ll be rewarded.

8.5 OUT OF 10

Lambini Girls - WHO LET THE DOGS OUT
This queer punk duo out of the UK hit the ground running with their debut album that's thunderous and confrontational, in all the right ways.

Fans of IDLES will be right at home as Lambini Girls take aim at social injustice, the predatory nature of the Upper Class, misogyny and homophobia.

7 OUT OF 10

Mogwai - THE BAD FIRE
Mogwai creates an incredibly well textured post-rock record in THE BAD FIRE that revels in euphoric, dreamy highs and seismic, shattering lows.

It’s a timely album with Mogwai contextualizing the world around us as beauty in turmoil and asks if it is all past the point of no return.

7.5 OUT OF 10

Mac Miller - BALLOONERISM
It’s evident that the 2nd Posthumous record from Mac Miller, taken from recordings around 2014, has had a lot of care poured into it. It’s 70’s Lounge Jazz fits well with the free flowing musings where Mac delves into his psyche, hoping to mine hard truths about addiction and fame. It’s another bittersweet reminder of the immense talent that Miller encompassed and of his absence.

8 OUT OF 10

Here's a few singles that have recently dropped that are on my radar, too. You can listen to these on this handy playlist I put together.

Blondshell - T&A • JPEGMAFIA - PROTECT THE CROSS • Deafheaven - MAGNOLIA
Craig Finn - PEOPLE OF SUBSTANCE • Viagra Boys - MAN MADE OF MEAT
Jesse Welles - HORSES • Black Country, New Roads - BESTIES
Japanese Breakfast - ORLANDO IN LOVE • Sam Fender - PEOPLE WATCHING
Lucy Dacus - ANKLES • Destroyer - BOLOGNA (FEAT. FIVER)
Julien Baker & TORRES - SYLVIA • Jason Isbell - BURY ME

His & Her: Top 50 Albums of 2024

Wed, 08 Jan 2025 17:53:17 GMT

I've been agonizing over this Top 50 albums of 2024 list the past few weeks, with this being the 4th revision, and my final one because Abbi says I gotta stop ruminating over it. Knowing myself, these rankings may change in the future, but as of January 8th, 2025, this is the best representation of my Personal Favorite Albums of 2024. Abbi and I have listened to most of my Top 10 albums, at least 20 plus times, cause what else are we going to do while we work? I could have gone much higher than the final 50 album count, but I can honestly say that all 50 are of fantastic quality and deserve at least one listen.

I also wanted to capture some of Abbi's Top Albums as she has such a different ear than I do, and many on her list I have yet to listen to and will be taking a deep dive there in the next couple of weeks. There is some overlap because (fortunately for us) we like a lot of the same artists and music. So here's our top albums and we even made you all a playlist with our favorite songs from this year!

RSD: Black Friday 2024 • The List

Wed, 27 Nov 2024 01:22:58 GMT

Hey friends! We have the list of EVERY Record Store Day exclusive title we will have this year for Black Friday! THIS FRIDAY! This list is in addition to our already existing inventory & we will also have the NEW RELEASES of The Cure, Zach Bryan, Charlie XCX, Father John Misty, TV On The Radio & more!

Many of these RSD specific titles are limited to the same amount for every store across the US due to high demand. So, if you're coming for any of the records in RED then be sure to get here early. Last year's Black Friday line started in the very early hours of the morning, so plan accordingly. Remember: first come, first served and we will limit you to one title of each release. (meaning you can't buy all of the Olivia Rodrigos, you only get one per person!)

Some line etiquette: when you come in the door, please follow the line. Do not break around others as we want to honor anyone who camped out and since the number of pressings are limited, it's important we do this a few at a time. Our line moves very quickly and we usually get through about 70+ folks very quickly so be patient, and considerate of each other!

We will have coffee, tea and treats for those coming up to stand in line early/overnight. If you're new to this event, we have a lot of fun and we keep the line moving so everyone can get in and out. We cannot hold any items, no matter who or why. It's part of the national Record Store Day rules. See you there!

rsdbf24-revised-final-downloadable.pdf
File Size:	27822 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

Record Store Day 2024 • The List

Wed, 17 Apr 2024 15:13:31 GMT

Hey friends! We have the list of EVERY title we will have this year for RSD 2024 on April 20th! THIS SATURDAY! This list is in addition to our already existing inventory & we will also have the NEW RELEASES for Pink Floyd, Taylor Swift, Pearl Jam & more!

Many of these are limited to the same amount for every store across the US due to high demand. So, if you're coming for those then be sure to get here early. Last year's event line started in the wee hours of the morning, but last year's Black Friday event started around 5:00 am. Remember: first come, first served and we will limit you to one title of each release. (meaning you can't buy all of the Olivia Rodrigos, you only get one per person!)

We will have coffee, tea and treats for those coming up to stand in line early. If you're new to this event, we have a lot of fun and we keep the line moving so everyone can get in and out. We cannot hold any items, no matter who or why. It's part of the national Record Store Day rules. See you there!

An easier to view PDF is attached below if you want to print it out & bring it with you.

rsd2024-flyer-final-shared.pdf
File Size:	31789 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

RSD: Black Friday 2023 • The List

Tue, 14 Nov 2023 21:01:18 GMT

Alright friends, we have the list ready for everyone. We got just about everything we asked for this go around and we are most pleased. There are a few items on here notated with a * these titles are in very high demand and we have a limited quantity. Many of these are limited to the same amount for every store across the US due to high demand. So, if you're coming for those then be sure to get here early. The April event line started in the wee hours of the morning, but last year's Black Friday event started around 7:00am. Remember: first come, first served and we will limit you to one title of each. (meaning you can't buy all of the Olivia Rodrigos, you only get one per person!)

We will have coffee, tea and treats for those coming up to the stand in line early. If you're new to this event, we have a lot of fun and we keep the line moving so everyone can get in and out about their day. We cannot hold any items, no matter who or why. It's part of the national Record Store Day rules.

All of these titles are IN ADDITION to our large selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, and cassette tapes.

Download a PDF version of this list below for those who need it to be in a larger size.

RSDBF-revised-final.pdf
File Size:	53301 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

Record Store Day is here! Update & Final List For Saturday

Wed, 19 Apr 2023 13:06:00 GMT

We're excited to announce that all of the product we will have for Record Store Day has arrived! We are only missing 4 titles we requested due to demand nationwide, and 2 titles that have been moved to the next Record Store Day event in November (tentatively) including Jerry Lee Lewis. Sadly, we will not be getting Maya Hawke, Kip Moore, Alex Chilton & James Moore despite being initially allotted those titles. The decision was made at a national level to only send those to larger stores in higher density metros.

All that said, we got everything else we asked for!!! We even got more copies of the 1975, Husker Du & Porcupine Tree than we expected. We were told most stores would only get 1 copy of each of these due to demand, but we will have more than one copy in the shop of those highly anticipated titles! We aren't allowed to share how many we got, BUT if you really want one of those - get in line early. Alright, here's the full & final list we will have in the shop on Saturday - can't wait to see all of you!

REMEMBER: doors open Saturday, April 22nd @ 9am. First come, first served. No holds. We will have A LOT of Taylor Swift, but it's really a hot one this year so we could sell out early. First 20 customers will get official Record Store Day swag bags & Sudden Light Record goodies.

<< PDF Version of the list here >>

You can RSVP below & get a Facebook Event reminder for Saturday. The RSVP helps us plan for snacks & beverages.
Can't wait to see all of you THIS Saturday!

RSVP ON FACEBOOK