Polyvinyl Vinyl, CD & Tape 63 Items

Received an 8.6 Best New Reissue rating from Pitchfork.In the 15 years since its release, American Football's self-titled debut full-length has quietly become one of the most fiercely beloved titles in the Polyvinyl catalog. Though the trio -- Mike Kinsella (Cap'n Jazz, Owen, Owls), Steve Lamos, and Steve Holmes -- only played a few shows and released just one other record (a three-song EP that preceded this full-length), their influence and legacy has steadily continued to grow in the time after they disbanded.From its now iconic artwork to the band's unique songwriting approach (highlighted by an emphasis on shifting time signatures and sincere lyrics), American Football proves a record doesn't become a true classic through flashiness or catering to trends, but rather the deep emotional connection it forges between the music and the listener.

Received a 7.7 rating from Pitchfork.

A re-imagining of STRFKR’s latest album featuring remixes from The Juan Maclean, Lindstrom & Prins Thomas, Chrome Sparks, Xiu Xiu, Peaking Lights, and others. 2xLP pressed on 180-gram starburst colored vinyl.

Almost since Beach Slang came into being, bandleader James Alex has taken to performing his group’s heartfelt anthems as more intimate solo renditions. Appropriately dubbed “Quiet Slang,” these alternate reality versions of Beach Slang’s music have now simultaneously been stripped down and fleshed out in the studio to include piano and cello. The result is a collection of songs that peel away the layers of reverb and distortion to lay bare their starkly honest and emotional cores. LP pressed on 180-gram clear vinyl and housed in gold foil jackets.

Received an 8.2 rating from Pitchfork. Jeff Rosenstock was an anxious kid who grew into an anxious adult and has also made a bunch of music along the way, with a bunch of bands, most notably Bomb The Music Industry! who apparently pioneered giving shit away for free on the internet—or at least got some of the credit for it. Now he plays with his bi-coastal band of rad musicians, mixing punk energy with diverse instrumentation and occasional accuracy. The new record Post- was written in the days after the 2017 Presidential inauguration, recorded in a marathon session and finished moments before it was released on New Year’s Day. The lyrics get (really) heavy but the melodies are so catchy and the builds are so big and bright that the end result is more of a rallying cry than a surrender. LP pressed on 180-gram light blue vinyl. All formats include a download.

A ZZ Top cover song split between Xiu Xiu and longtime collaborator and friend Fabrizio Palumbo (aka (r). Xiu Xiu rips a zonked version of "Sharp Dressed Man," while (r) delivers a minimal, experimental, goth cabaret version of "Gimme All Your Lovin'." Pressed on half pink / half gray vinyl.

First time on cassette. Pet Symmetry is a power-pop power trio consisting of Evan Weiss, Erik Czaja, and Marcus Nuccio. Vision is their second full-length album, and sixth release in all.

On Mike Krol Is Never Dead: The First Two Records, we catch up—with the past, that is. Indeed, Turkey, released in 2015, is Chapter 3 of the Krol saga; here, finally, are its long-lost predecessors. Self-released in 2011, I Hate Jazz was the opening salvo of World War Krol. Only 500 copies were pressed; they were given away to anyone who showed interest (and many who showed none whatsoever). Including Krol classics like “Fifteen Minutes” and “Like a Star,” the record has long been unavailable. Trust Fund followed in 2013; its 500 copies sold out on the ensuing tour, fueling a mini-mania that would elevate it to cult status. This set includes both records on freshly pressed Merge vinyl; an illuminating selection of digital outtakes, demos, and B-sides; and a fold-out poster showcasing a selection of Mike Krol ephemera. Cut at 45 prm and packaged with an oversize full-color poster and download.

To celebrate the 15-Year Anniversary of IDA's classic album Will You Find Me, this gorgeous record is being reissued as a deluxe 2xLP in expanded packaging, including a gatefold jacket, lyric insert and download.

On his previous albums, Japanese multi-instrumentalist Shugo Tokumaru has brilliantly showcased his ability to push the boundaries of what pop music can be—crafting infinitely rewarding songs built on layers upon layers of sounds produced by instruments both familiar and unique. For Toss, Tokumaru originally intended to take a much more straightforward path, enlisting the help of musicians from around the world to record bits and pieces of music without knowing how they would ultimately be used. This process led to Tokumaru taking fragments others had recorded for him and lining up the short phrases and riffs, repeatedly combining and substituting the arrangements as if he was working on a musical puzzle. Though much more time-consuming than his original vision, the songs on TOSS are all testaments to Tokumaru’s innate understanding of how to craft a piece of music that becomes much greater than the sum of its parts. Pressed on 180-gram clear blue vinyl with download.

Boasting textured melodies, layered guitars and more seasoned lyrics, The World's Best American Band finds the quartet busting out of the basement sound established on their previous full length (2015's White Reaper Does It Again) and setting their sights on the arena. Armed with a record that celebrates rock in all of its glory, they are poised to satisfy crowds whether they are packed shoulder-to-shoulder in the "standing room only" pit or kicking back in the cheap seats.

Vault Vol. 1 is a collection of rare, previously unreleased songs that up until now have never been heard by anyone except STRFKR. The band only exists today because of these recordings. Some of these songs were written for STRFKR albums, some were written before or in-between, but they all played a role and influenced what was released under that name. Twenty songs in all. Pressed on 180-gram red vinyl with download.

On her first proper album as Jay Som, Melina Duterte, 22, solidifies her rep as a self-made force of sonic splendor and emotional might. If last year’s aptly named Turn Into compilation showcased a fuzz-loving artist in flux—chronicling her mission to master bedroom recording—then the rising Oakland star’s latest, Everybody Works, is the LP equivalent of mission accomplished.

Tomorrow is Alright is a vinyl reissue of the debut Sonny & The Sunsets album. Previously out of print, this limited run of 500 copies features Reflex Blue vinyl and a digital download. “The Sunsets, featuring members of Thee Oh Sees, The Fresh & Onlys, and Citay, plus Kelley Stoltz largely stay in the background, providing sparse but carefully considered instrumentation. Citay’s Tahlia Harbour is the lone exception, although even she’s used sparingly; her deadpan counterpoints to Sonny’s stoney spaceman in ‘Planet of Women’ or rationale-spouting youngster in ‘Lovin’ on an Older Gal’ are impeccably timed, a fitting gee-whiz to Sonny’s endless aw-shucks. The production’s crisp and roomy, allowing each word to linger, each note its own space. ‘Tomorrow Is Alright’ feels like the work of a songwriter comfortable with himself and his limitations. So many bands put in a lot of work trying to make themselves sound older than their years; with their quiet confidence and no shortage of killer material, the Sunsets make it seem almost too easy.”—Pitchfork (8.0 review)

While writing Forget, Xiu Xiu released the lauded Plays the Music of Twin Peaks, collaborated with Mitski on a song for an upcoming John Cameron Mitchell film, and scored an experimental reworking of the Mozart opera, The Magic Flute.All of this frantic, external activity lead to a softly damaged dreaminess and broadened intent that has not been heard before in other Xiu Xiu works. Standout track, “Wondering” is one of the catchiest boogie pop gems in the Xiu Xiu catalog, but like much of Forget, it still bears an underlying tension that manifests differently in each piece. Forget was produced by John Congleton (Blondie, Sigur Ros), Greg Saunier of Deerhoof and Xiu Xiu’s own Angela Seo.

Jay Som represents the musical vision of San Francisco singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Melina Duterte. Constantly shifting, that vision embraces indie, alternative, pop, and even a little shoegaze assembled by its architect’s hand like an infinite puzzle with no border. This unpredictable sonic sensibility is threaded together by melody but never bound to it. Turn Into offers a snapshot of her musical evolution up to this point. 2016 also saw her release a one-off 7-inch on Fat Possum Records in addition to embarking on her first proper tour with Mitski and Japanese Breakfast.

Looking back on our 20-year existence, we’re proud to say that Polyvinyl has never been defined by a particular genre.From early records that documented the Midwestern emo of American Football, Braid, and Rainer Maria to of Montreal’s mercurial mining of musical styles, Ida’s intimate harmonies, Joan of Arc’s sonic experimentation, STRFKR’s electro-pop, the raucous rock-and-roll of Japandroids and Beach Slang, etc. etc. there’s no predicting what a new Polyvinyl release will sound like — just that it’s something we love and think you will, too.And so, to celebrate this diverse discography, we asked 20 members of the Polyvinyl family past and present to cover a song by one of their labelmates. Fittingly, this led to a slew of beloved tracks being re-imagined in a variety of new and surprising ways.Owen (Mike Kinsella) lends his acoustic guitar picking to Rainer Maria’s electric siren call “Ears Ring,” Braid puts a math-y spin on the surf-inflected pop of Alvvays’ “Adult Diversion,” and Deerhoof covers Xiu Xiu in the style of White Reaper, because why the hell not?The biggest question, though, was how to name such an eclectic collection of music.

In 1999 Polyvinyl, then only 3 years old, released an unassuming debut album by a band called American Football. The band played a dozen shows and then parted ways. Then something remarkable happened: for the next 15 years, the album was discovered over and over, going on to sell more than 100,000 copies and becoming one of the most influential indie/emo albums of all-time. In 2014 and 2015 American Football played their first shows in 15 years, selling out venues the world over. Organically, the band started to write new material, and years of ideas gelled into the a picture-perfect second album to be released 17 years after the first.

While rooted in avant pop, contemporary production flourishes lend each song the clarity & buoyance of contemporary pop. Balances languid, dark melodies & atmosphere with propulsive rhythms & soaring vocal lines.

Debut album from Australia native that courses with aching current of alt-country & indie-folk, augmented with Jacklin's rich, distinctive voice & her playful wit.

Less than a year after their debut full-length landed on year-end lists from the likes of AV Club, Paste, SPIN, and Noisey, and earned praise from sources as diverse as Pitchfork to People magazine, Beach Slang return with their sophomore album A Loud Bash of Teenage Feelings. Written and recorded in the midst of a relentless touring schedule that found the band selling out sweat drenched shows across the U.S. and Europe, A Loud Bash is exactly what its title implies—a raucous collection of shout-along punk rock anthems anchored by frontman James Alex's trademark heart-on-sleeve lyricism.

Less than a year after their debut full-length landed on year-end lists from the likes of AV Club, Paste, SPIN, and Noisey, and earned praise from sources as diverse as Pitchfork to People magazine, Beach Slang return with their sophomore album A Loud Bash of Teenage Feelings. Written and recorded in the midst of a relentless touring schedule that found the band selling out sweat drenched shows across the U.S. and Europe, A Loud Bash is exactly what its title implies—a raucous collection of shout-along punk rock anthems anchored by frontman James Alex's trademark heart-on-sleeve lyricism.

Limited edition for Black Friday RSD 2015! Clear Red Vinyl, gatefold, download, high-quality video download of entire concert, limited to 3000

Features a hybrid approach to the presentation of its heavyweight pop hooks, the album plants one foot firmly in the '80s, w/the other exploring the outer realm of ultramodern electronic music. Recorded at Of Montreal frontman Kevin Barnes' home studio in Athens, GA, alongside guest musicians as drummer Cameron Gardner (Washed Out) & percussionist Philip Mayer (Kishi Bashi).

8th solo album from Saturday Looks Good To Me/ City Center member. Heavy, poetic lyrics are more spoken than sung, recalling the urgency & straightforwardness of cult bands like The Van Pelt or Life Without Buildings, while each song builds on a patchwork of grainy samples, dreamlike guitar figures & deftly produced clashes of organic instrumentation & vintage synth textures. Guest appearance from Andrew W.K.

Two women, three men, a crate of C-86 tapes & a love of jingle-jangle. Both sun-splashed & twilit - nine songs concealing drunkenness,defeat & death in tungsten-tinted pop that glitters like sea glass.

one-sided vinyl!

Unbearably dark, yet incredibly illuminating, on the John Congleton-produced Angel Guts: Red Classroom Xiu Xiu continues to forge its reputation as avant-garde pioneers. It is the work of a band unraveling to its core and exposing the boldness within.

180g vinyl including download card.