UK | ERA’s Kim Bayley on why vinyl is not just about superstars, CD’s resilience and retail opportunities: There was a good news story for physical music this week—a new Taylor Swift album set for release on October. In the latest edition of Music Week, we speak to industry figures about the surprise 2.8% year-on-year fall in vinyl sales in Q2. Growth was maintained for the first six months—6%—but that was down on the 12.4% increase in the first half of 2024. The lack of a Taylor Swift album so far in 2025 was partly to blame due to comparisons with the prior year Q2, when the huge-selling Tortured Poets Department was released along with other key albums by Billie Eilish, Dua Lipa and Charli XCX. Based on Music Week calculations, Q2 vinyl sales would have been up by 2.5% if the one-off effect of The Tortured Poets Department is taken into account. However, that is still a slowdown in growth compared to quarterly increases in recent years.
Riverside, CA | Penrose Record Room Offering Above Bargain-Bin Quality at Blowout Prices: Shop owner’s selective approach to inventory means this weekend’s sale features a curated selection instead of the usual castoffs. Penrose Record Room at 3485 University Avenue will sell more than 10,000 select vinyl records for $5 each or 100 for $200 during a weekend clearance sale Aug. 16-17 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Customers enter through stairs under the Life Arts Building on Lemon Street. The sale offers an unusual opportunity for collectors accustomed to digging through bins of damaged or unwanted albums. Shop owner Matt Beld maintains strict standards for incoming inventory, regularly turning away collections that do not meet his quality threshold. “I can’t do anything with these, thanks for coming by, sorry man,” Beld told one hopeful seller who brought in an armload of records, placing them on the glass case by the register before being declined. Such scenes play out regularly as Beld filters what enters his shop.
Bristol, UK | Taco and vinyl shop finally opens after over a year of delays: A shop and restaurant promising vinyl and tacos since May 2024 is finally welcoming customers into their new abode. Alta Loma on Upper Maudlin Street is a taco eatery, bar and vinyl treasure trove waiting to be discovered. Its much delayed opening was celebrated with an opening party on Saturday, with regular opening hours for the public commencing on Tuesday. People from neighbouring shops, friends and family thrived for the shop’s highly anticipated opening, that was “super busy the whole day.” Now co-owners of the shop, Alex Studer and John Turner, met while studying at university, where they were also introduced to artist Rachel No, who has now painted the shopfront with a logo and sign. The lettering on the window is an homage to band The Doors’ album Morrison Hotel, says Alex, who owns Stolen Body Records, many of which the shop sells.
London, UK | A Rough Guide To: Vintage Vinyl at Rough Trade: “…put some spare time aside so you can come and dig for hours—you have to commit. But secondhand vinyl is worth it.” As the most devoted of record collectors well know, nothing beats the thrill of the find. Whether a first pressing you’ve looked in every shop for, or a limited edition cult classic you need to revisit on several versions, shopping vintage can be one of the most rewarding experiences for a committed collector. At Rough Trade, we are lucky enough that a key part of our music discovery stretches beyond catalogue titles and new releases into the form of lovingly graded, hand-selected vintage vinyl. This used vinyl range is available to shop in-store at Bristol, Nottingham and Liverpool and at Rough Trade Vintage in London—Rough Trade’s only destination for quality used vinyl in the capital.
Minneapolis, MN | Mgk (aka Machine Gun Kelly) plays pop-up concert at Minneapolis record store: The polarizing celebrity and rap-rock musician played Electric Fetus on Thursday night. Celebrating the release of his new album, lost americana, mgk—formerly known as Machine Gun Kelly—has been playing pop-up concerts at intimate Midwest venues all week. The tour came Minneapolis on Thursday, Aug. 14, and though no public announcement was made by mgk, it eventually emerged that the show would be taking place at iconic south side record store Electric Fetus. Fans were asked to sign up for details through mgk’s website in advance to be the first to know about the concert, though some who signed up said they didn’t receive the email confirming the venue. Posts on social media revealed that a line was forming for the show at Electric Fetus, which was expected to be 250 capacity, though many more than that were reportedly in the line.
Brooklyn, NY | For the Record: Greenpoint café spins vinyl and brews community. On bustling Manhattan Avenue, a unique record store invites music lovers of all genres to enjoy blissful beats and brews. For the Record, or FTR, an independent record store and café hybrid, has been spinning vinyl since November 2021. It offers a curated mix of new releases, pre-owned records, merchandise and a spacious event area for album listening parties. Founder Lucas Deysine envisioned a neighborhood hub for coffee and record enthusiasts, merging the two into one community turntable. …At 1107 Manhattan Ave., customers are greeted by a wall lined with the latest albums, from Chappell Roan to The 1975. A yellow-tinted menu lists espresso and herbal teas made from locally sourced products. In the back, crates of classic vinyl feature legacy acts like the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Pat Benatar. Soft light from spherical bulbs casts the hospitable glow Deysine aimed to create.
Nashville, TN | This Southern Bookstore Is So Beloved People Will Drive 570 Miles For It: When I was younger, I had a nearly endless hunger for books. So my absolute favorite thing to do on a hot summer day was to spend the afternoon in McKay’s, a used bookstore that was just down the road from our house where I could not only be surrounded by that comforting old-book smell but take advantage of the air-conditioning too. For a long time, I thought that McKay’s was special to Chattanooga. I’d never run across one anywhere else, and it just felt so unique that it didn’t feel like it could be replicated. Sure, other used bookstores exist, but none of them ever came close to McKay’s in my eyes. Then a few years ago, my husband and I took a day trip to Nashville and drove a little out of our way to visit Loveless Cafe. It was an impromptu add-on to the trip and so worth it—especially when I spotted a McKay’s sign on our way downtown afterward. I made my husband pull over right then and there. Stepping inside the Nashville store, I was floored by the instant hit of nostalgia.
Sea Park, MY | Malaysia’s First Vinyl Listening Café In Sea Park Is The Perfect Introvert Haven: There are over 500 records to choose from. Tucked away on the upper floor of a shop lot in Sea Park, Petaling Jaya, is a cosy little hideaway for anyone who needs a break from… well, everyone. Eternyl Vinyl Café is what happens when you cross the warm glow of an indie film with the satisfying crackle of a vinyl record. Recently soft launched, it’s said to be Malaysia’s first dedicated vinyl listening café, and they’ve gone all in: 15 private listening stations, each ready to envelop you in pure, unbothered sound. The setup is simple: an Audio-Technica turntable, a pair of noise-cancelling headphones, and a comfy seat just for you. No strangers. No forced smiles. Just you, a vinyl of your choice (from their collection of over 500, with more languages and genres on the way), and 90 minutes to disappear into music (RM20). Not ready to face the outside world? You can add another 60 minutes for RM10, if there’s space.
HK | Fosi Audio Steps Into Vinyl With Its First Turntable, the Luna3: Known for its affordable hi-fi gear, Fosi Audio is taking its first spin into record players with the minimalist Luna3. Fosi Audio, the Hong Kong–based brand best known for affordable amps, DACs, and speakers, is stepping into new territory: vinyl. The company’s first-ever turntable, the Luna3, was launched worldwide on Kickstarter recently and It’ll retail for $349.99, but early backers can get up to 25% off during the campaign. For years, Fosi has focused on compact, budget-friendly digital gear—think desktop amplifiers and headphone DACs—but the Luna3 signals a move into analog audio. The direct-to-consumer approach Fosi has built its business on is still in play here, which helps keep prices in check, especially in markets where import tariffs can bump up costs.
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