Sure, everyone’s on Spotify and we all love rocking out to live music, but the old school vinyl is far from obsolete in Singapore. There’s something rather seductive (and hipster) about removing a giant black disk from its sleeve, placing it on a player, gently dropping the needle onto the record, and taking in the warm, glorious sound bellowing from the speakers. In honour of Record Store Day (18 April), here are ten cool stops for your analogue aural fix.
House of Turntables
For those who need more help in turntables, make a beeline for this sleek spot, which boasts a sophisticated range of amplifiers, speakers, and players for the ultimate sonic experience. More than 10000 used and new vinyl records are also on sale, making this store a one-stop sanctuary for all audiophiles.
House of Turntables, #04-65, Plaza Singapura, 68 Orchard Road, Singapore 238839, p. 6884 4390, Open Mon-Sun 11am-9pm.
Vinylicious Records
This modest, two-year-old establishment stocks more than 3,000 titles spanning an eclectic mix of music genres – from electronic to jazz – with new albums added every week. Besides new, used and rare singles, EPs and LPs, audiophiles can also find turntables and cassette tapes in store.
Vinylicious, #01-22, Parklane Shopping Mall, 35 Selegie Road, Singapore 188307, p. 6336 0039, Open Mon-Fri 12noon-8pm, Sat-Sun 1pm-7pm.
Indie albums at Straits Records
Straits Records
Not only does this record store offer a well-curated range of vinyls and cds, it’s also an ardent supporter of local and regional music – there’s the occasional gig to help promote homegrown bands, and an in-house label to help emerging talents such as plainsunset and Force Vomit produce their albums. Music merchandise and even screen-printing services are also available.
Straits Records, 24A Bali Lane, Singapore 189860, p. 9681 6341, Open Mon-Tue 4pm-10pm, Wed-Fri 2:30pm-10:30pm, Sat 2pm-10pm, Sun 1:30pm-9pm.
Curated Records
If you’re on a hunt for indie music on vinyl, this little Tiong Bahru hangout is probably your best bet. There are over 1000 records to dig through, and recent additions include Morcheeba’s Head Up High, Ingrid Michaelson’s Be Ok, and Stardeath and White Dwarf’s Wastoid. It sure sounds like Laneway on vinyl to us.
Curated Records, #01-53, 55 Tiong Bahru Road, Singapore 160055, p. 6438 3644, Open Mon-Sun 12pm-9pm.
Roxy Records & Trading
Established some 50 years ago, Roxy Records is a family-run business with an impressive selection of vinyls, CDs and cassettes that had DJs and music lovers coming back for more of both its rare and mainstream titles. Can’t find what you’re looking for? They’d be glad to place an order for you.
Roxy Records & Trading, #02-15, Excelsior Shopping Centre, 5 Coleman Street, Singapore 179805, p. 6337 7783, Open Mon-Sat 12noon-10pm.
Hear Records’ store front
Hear Records
In between browsing through its seemingly endless selection of vinyl stocks, peruse the listening corner at this gem of a record store. Plus, don’t miss out on their collection of music-related books.
Hear Records, #01-39, Burlington Square, 175 Bencoolen Street, Singapore 189651, p. 9646 0648, Open Mon-Sat 11:30am-7:30pm, Sun 12noon-6pm.
Retrophonic Records
Find the latest radio hits, indie rock to even a string of vintage Chinese records at this boutique, which also offers some amazing turntables,, amplifiers and speakers to satisfy your aural cravings.
Retrophonic Records, #02-02A, Chinatown Plaza, 34 Craig Road, Singapore 089673, p. 6220 8489 Mon-Fri 11am-6pm, Sat 11am-3pm.
Vinylucky
Located in the AV-dominated mall that is The Adelphi, the unassuming Vinylucky stocks over 13,500 records of the ‘60s to the ‘90s, and provides record cleaning service for serious vinyl collectors. Spend more than $250 (not that hard, really, considering the fab selections available) on regularly priced vinyls, and get 20% off your bill.
Vinylucky, B1-42, The Adelphi, 1 Coleman Street, Singapore 179803, p. 6336 9071.
Red Point Record Warehouse
Love music from the ‘60s to the ‘90s? Carpenter and vinyl-junkie Ong Chai Koon’s warehouse at Tai Seng might have just the record you want amidst its sizable collection of records across genres like classical, electronic, Chinese and indie music.
Red Point Record Warehouse, #06-11, Kapo Factory Building, Blk B, 80 Playfair Road, Singapore 367998, p. 63833955, Open Mon 11am-7pm, Fri 11am-7pm, Sat 11am-8pm, 11am-7pm.
For The Record
Rummaging through the piles of records at this shop feels like a step back in time, thanks to its unfussy, ‘80s-like interiors and signboard, and the hefty collection of old records from names like Billie Holiday, Rolling Stones, Beatles and Francoise Hardy.
For The Record, #04-28, Peninsula Shopping Centre, 3 Coleman Street, Singapore 179804, p. 9189 9530, Mon-Sun 12:30pm-8pm.
Lead Image: Urban Outfitters