Record Store Day 2023: Sister Ray’s essential picks

Including Sunn O))) & Boris, Amorphous Androgynous and more.

The annual vinyl and record store culture celebration, Record Store Day, is fast approaching on April 22. There is an overwhelming collection of RSD exclusive vinyl releases coming our way, so we’ve drafted in some of our favourite record stores to help you wade through all the options and uncover some treats.

First up, Leo from Soho institution Sister Ray Records recommends a wide-flung set of gems including doom-metal, ambient-techno and art-rock.

Sunn O))) & Boris

Alter

(Southern Lord)

Out of print on vinyl for over 15 years, this collaborative effort from two titans of the doom-metal genre is getting a welcome reissue for Record Store Day 2023. Sunn O)))’s heavy guitar dirges are bolstered by Boris’ thunderous rhythm section to hugely satisfying effect. The haunting “The Sinking Belle” provides a beautiful midpoint with its reverberating chords and ghostly vocals, offering a respite from the monolithic bass drones and searing noise.

Bark Psychosis

Scum

(Rolling Heads)

If you consider yourself a post-rock fan and are somehow yet to delve into the glorious world of Graham Sutton’s Bark Psychosis, consider this a perfect starting point. A 21-minute epic that sets out what the band would move forward to do on their game-changing debut album Hex, and basically writes the definition of “post-rock” in the process.

Various Artists

New York Noise (Dance Music From The New York Underground 1978-1982)

(Soul Jazz Records)

I think in record shops all over the world a genre that unites all members of staff, regardless of musical allegiance, is post-punk and no wave, particularly from this febrile period in New York’s rich musical history. Featuring the avant-disco of Arthur Russell’s Dinosaur L project, the jagged grooves of ESG, dubtronic funk courtesy of Liquid Liquid and much more, this is the perfect introduction to an utterly unique scene and an opportunity to hear where the current crop of indie noiseniks nicked their sound from.

Amorphous Androgynous

Tales of Ephidrina

(UMC/Virgin)

A much-needed reissue of this long out-of-print 1993 ambient-techno classic. Hazy, dream-like and wholly unique, 30 years later, this still stands completely on its own, even amongst the wider Future Sound of London catalogue.

Bill Nelson’s Red Noise

Live at the De Montfort Hall, Leicester 1979

(Esoteric)

A blistering set from this short-lived art-rock project that is sure to melt a few minds with its accessible complexity and wild left turns. You can hear echoes of XTC, Cardiacs and even bands to come like black midi in this exhilarating show. A highly recommended gem from the weird and wonderful catalogue of Bill Nelson, one of the UK’s unsung musical heroes.

You can find Sister Ray Records at 75 Berwick St, Soho, London W1F 8TG. Find out more about their Record Store Day collection here.