Where To Shop Vinyl Records In Singapore (And How To Start)

Put The Needle On The Record

To get started, you need to know how to play one and - admit it - not everybody does. Here's our guide to sounding and listening like a pro.

First up, the equipment Turntable, amplifier, phono preamp (basically a cable box that connects the turntable to the amp), speakers, speaker cables – and that’s what goes into a basic set up.

Now, how to connect them all... Say it as you would a nursery rhyme: The turntable connects to the preamp, the preamp connects to the amplifier, the amplifier connects to the speakers.

... And here’s how you hit play Put the record on the circular platform (it’s called the platter) then switch on the turntable. Next, position the stylus (the needle) of the tone arm (the appendage that sticks out) directly over the outermost groove on the record (yes, there are grooves – look closer). And then – to hear Sabrina Carpenter serenade you with tracks from Short n' Sweet (one of the best-selling vinyl records of the year so far) – lower the stylus onto the record either manually or using the cue lever at the end of the tone arm if there’s one.

So, um, how do we skip tracks? The number of grooves on a record indicates the number of songs on it. To jump to the next one, lift the tone arm (for how, see above) then shift it to the next groove. Repeat as above.

Tuning out is as important as tuning in When the record ends, remember to lift the tone arm and put it into the rest position or you’ll risk damaging the stylus.

Always cover your tracks Or rather, the turntable after use. This prevents dust from settling on the platter, or getting stuck on the stylus or in the cartridge above it. No dust = no pops, hisses or skips = no damage.

Channel Cinderella (no, not the ’80s rock band) Vinyls are “allergic” to dust and particles. Before playing one, use a carbon fibre record brush to sweep its surface in a circular motion, following the grooves. (Tip: If you’re dealing with a used or vintage record, get the shop to do the cleaning for you.) And don’t neglect the cartridge on the turntable – get a specialised cleaning kit from any record store.

Never – we emphasise never – stack your records Instead, arrange them vertically and as close to one another as possible to prevent them from getting warped.

And keep things really, really cool Given the local humid climate, always store your records in a cool or air-conditioned space to prevent mould and mildew from eating into them.

Stop Your Tracks Here

With Gen Z's soft spot for the nostalgic, pre-streaming era, analogue fever has meant that record stores have been popping up online and offline. Here are eight vinyl record spots to be seen at and dig through.

Avant Culture Club 

Community is the key word when it comes to Avant Culture Club (ACC). Started as a community account with shared group orders to save on shipping costs for artist merchandise and exclusive record imports, 29-year-old Ryan Ling and 30-year-old Ivan Ong saw a gap in the local market for limited edition variants and hard-to-find records. In 2021, the seasoned collectors seized the opportunity to turn ACC into a business. “We wanted to share the thrill of owning a physical piece of your favorite artist’s work,” the duo says, adding, “It's memorabilia for the soundtrack of your life.” 

With a sharp eye for the rare and remarkable, ACC’s curation reads like a collector’s wish list. Specialising in importing limited edition goods like signed records and region-exclusive or coloured variants, you can expect to find holy grail pieces like Tyler, the Creator’s Chromakopia LP (Long Play), Beabadoobee’s This is How Tomorrow Moves blue liquid-filled LP, The Marias’ Submarine water cover LP, the Eusexua LP signed by FKA Twigs, and more. Popular artists include pop darlings like Sabrina Carpenter, R&B icons like SZA and indie favourites like Frank Ocean, Men I Trust, and The 1975. 

What sets them apart? Their concepts. While ACC is one of the few stores on this list without a permanent space to call their own yet, this hasn't stopped them from spreading their love for vinyl.

In place of a physical store, ACC creates unique third spaces through their pop-ups, the most recent being their Pleasure Lounge at the recent Boutiques Fair shopping fair in March of this year. Equal parts vinyl listening lounge, matcha bar, archival museum and record store, the pop-up featured a 200-strong vinyl library designed for discovery, over ten vinyl listening booths, and Audio-Technica turntables on sale for the dream vinyl set-up. They have also partnered with Universal Music Singapore to host intimate fan experiences, including a Short n’ Sweet listening session for Sabrina Carpenter fans and a pre-show party for Keshi’s Requiem tour.

For those looking to score a rare find, they restock three times a week, and pre-orders are welcome. 

Stay in the loop through their Instagram, TikTok and Telegram channel. Can't wait for their next pop-up event? Check out their Carousell catalogue to shop online.

Tiger Vault Records (#03-10 Excelsior Shopping Centre, 5 Coleman Street)

Riding the wave of the vinyl resurgence, 27-year-old Zephyr Lee started Tiger Vault Records in 2020, selling records on Carousell in hopes of making exclusive record pressings more accessible for local collectors. “Tiger Vault Records was created to help bridge that gap and also to provide a safe haven where people can explore music, talk about it, and fall in love with it,” the brand adds.

Fast forward five years and the hobby-turned-hustle has grown into a brick-and-mortar store. Their curated catalogue covers everything from timeless classics like Fleetwood Mac and Pink Floyd, to pop queens such as Dua Lipa, Ariana Grande, and Gracie Abrams, plus indie favourites including Phoebe Bridgers, Tyler, The Creator, and Tame Impala. Dig a little deeper and you’ll find hidden gems like out-of-print Korean releases, artist store-exclusive pressings, and even autographed albums.

No turntable? No worries. Tiger Vault has in-store listening stations, perfect for anyone who just wants to hang out and soak up good music. With new arrivals every week and the occasional surprise drops for limited edition, autographed and exclusive records, there’s always something to discover whenever you visit.

The store also doubles as a community hub, regularly hosting pop-ups, collaborations and events. A recent example? Mayhem Singapura, their Gaga celebration complete with in-store display installations, freebies, and limited-edition vinyl records to mark the pop icon’s sold-out shows.

For more events, keep up with their Instagram, TikTok and Facebook , or add to cart on their website.

Curated Records (766A North Bridge Road)

Walking into Curated Records feels like coming home. With a cozy couch to sink into, a turntable, and a stack of records nearby, the store gives off the laid-back vibe of hanging out at your music-loving friend’s house for an impromptu jamming session. The founder of Curated Records, 42-year-old Tremon Lim, is no stranger to the record scene, having established the business way back in 2014, making it one of the longest-standing stores on our list. It was first located in Tiong Bahru, later shifting to its current, cosy location in North Bridge Road in 2021.

From Abba to MF Doom to Hans Zimmer, the crowd at Curated Records is eclectic, matching the tastes of the store which carries everything including rock, pop, jazz, electronica, funk, soul, hip-hop, R&B, reggae, blues, punk, metal, alternative, indie, classical and even soundtracks. The shop is jam-packed with gems waiting to be found, with restocks every three days so you’ll never get bored. 

Keep your eyes peeled for exciting events coming soon, like their 11th anniversary celebration in September, to be announced on their Instagram and Facebook.

Musicology Records (66 Haji Lane)

Tucked away in the heart of Haji Lane — a hub for all things Gen Z — Musicology Records has been a go-to vinyl destination since opening its doors in 2022. Nothing’s off limits when it comes to genres, with old and new artists from pop, rock, metal, jazz, rap and R&B. Expect crowd-pleasers like Taylor Swift, Laufey, Cigarettes After Sex, and Billie Eilish, alongside nostalgic gems from Queen, Slipknot, The Beatles and Lauryn Hill. 

With the store’s bright cobalt blue signage, posters and eclectic mix of records lining the walls, complete with a disco ball hanging from the ceiling for that chill house party vibe, it’s no wonder why Musicology Records has drawn so many Gen Z-ers to its doorstep, many of whom are customers and even members of Musicology’s own team. Take one look at their Instagram posts and you’ll find sweet messages dedicated to their team members. 

“Our store has a homely vibe to it with our staff being friendly and responsive to questions from customers,” says the founder. If you’re new to the vinyl scene and hoping to find some friendly tips or recommendations, this might be the record store for you. 

Itching for a new record to spin? The Haji Lane outlet restocks every two to three weeks, or you can swing by Sony’s flagship store at 313 Somerset where a curated selection of their records is also available for sale as part of their ongoing collaboration. You’ll also get the chance to test out Sony’s turntables, headphones and speakers in their listening booths for a more immersive escape into the musical worlds of your favourite artists.

Stay in the know with their Instagram and TikTok updates.

Intermix Records (#B1-13 The Adelphi, 1 Coleman Street)

Old-school vinyl collectors might have visited Intermix Record’s now-defunct sister store, Vinylicious Records back when they opened in 2012. Keeping the legacy alive, 47-year-old founder Andy Tong, who previously worked for Vinylicious, went on to set up Intermix Records after the sister store's closure in January 2022. 

Don’t be fooled by its clean, minimalistic set-up. Stay for a while and you’ll stumble upon a treasure trove of classics by artists like Queen, Pink Floyd, Green Day, Linkin Park, Cigarettes After Sex, Daft Punk and more. Tong’s personal favourites? Industrial, metal and Japanese pop or rock records. “That’s the music that I love and grew up with,” he says.

Into the offbeat and obscure? Intermix offers a rare chance to discover underrated bands like Front Line Assembly, Skinny Puppy, and Front 242, names seldom found in Singapore’s record scene. On his approach to curating his stock, Tong shares, “We have visitors from overseas who love our unique selection. We love to sell what we love: industrial, avant-garde or experimental, electronic music and 80s hair metal among many metal titles.” 

You can look forward to weekly restocks and stay tuned to their Instagram to see what’s new in-store.

Bizarro Market (7B Aliwal Street, Level 3)

DJ and party planner Adrian Wee was a seasoned vinyl collector for two decades before he started selling his vinyl records during the pandemic. "It was more of trying to get by financially as I wasn't getting any income from my job in events and parties due to the pandemic restrictions," Wee shares candidly. "Soon after, I found myself really enjoying sharing music with people, and one thing led to another."

Wee eventually grew Bizarro Market into an online record store in 2020, later expanding into a pop-up space in Haji Lane for two years before finally putting down roots at Aliwal Street in the indie-loving Arab Street enclave in 2023.

At Bizarro Market, music that’s weird, wonderful, and wacky takes center stage. You name it, they’ve got it — think alt-pop, indie pop and rock, post-rock, shoegaze, alt-rock, and electronica. While mainstream chart-toppers are on rotation, recent bestsellers also include a good mix of pop, indie and (surprise!) Singapore artists. Bizarro stocks both old-school and new-gen artists, with a strong focus on '90s and 2000s icons like Pulp, Blur, Linkin Park, Britney Spears, Green Day, Pearl Jam, Madonna, Kate Bush, Slowdive, and Radiohead.

Regulars have been snapping up records from the likes of Ethel Cain, Sufjan Stevens, Bon Iver, Khruangbin, Magdalena Bay, The Marías, Subsonic Eye, Sobs, Motifs, and Japanese Breakfast. Speaking of which, Bizarro hosted a listening party in March for the American indie pop band Japanese Breakfast’s latest album For Melancholy Brunettes (& Sad Women), where fans chilled out while listening to the newly launched album, sipping on free drinks, and taking goodies home with them upon purchasing the album.

Beyond weekly restocks of new records, the shop also offers a selection of cleaning equipment, slipmats, and accessories like vinyl sleeves. 

Keep an eye out for their upcoming in-store events to be announced on their Instagram and visit their website to shop directly.

RetroCrates (450a Joo Chiat Road)

Born from a love for records passed down from father to daughter, RetroCrates’ founder Celia-Ann Tay grew up with the melodies of Barry White, the Carpenters, Earl Klugh and the Bee Gees filling her home, sparking a lifelong fascination with vinyl culture.

“Over the years, collecting records became more than a hobby; it became a way of connecting with different eras, artists and emotions. I wanted to create a space where others could experience the same joy of discovering music on vinyl, whether they were long-time collectors or just getting started. It wasn’t about chasing trends or filling a gap in the market, it was about sharing something meaningful and timeless,” Tay adds.

Her passion led her to start an online website in 2015, eventually opening the doors to RetroCrates’ first physical space located in the artsy Joo Chiat enclave a year later.

East-siders can look forward to discovering classic to contemporary artists from genres like pop, rock, jazz, R&B, world music, city pop, K-pop and more, with both new and preloved vinyl records available in-store. The top artists on rotation for RetroCrates patrons at the time of writing include the Arctic Monkeys, HYBS and main pop girls like Ariana Grande.

Sounds like music to your ears? It gets better. "Whether you're just starting your analogue journey or looking to level up your set-up, we've got you covered - from turntables and matching speakers to records you love," Tay shares.

If you’re looking to meet fellow fans of your favourite artists, you’ll be happy to know that RetroCrates also hosts listening parties. Following their event celebrating the release of Billie Eilish's Hit Me Hard and Soft (Isolated Vocals), the pop star herself reposted a video of the listening party on her TikTok. Nothing short of iconic!

RetroCrates prides themselves on stocking the latest vinyl releases early with weekly restocks, keeping the crates fresh and the music flowing so fans don't have to wait to spin the records they love. 

Stay tuned for more on their Instagram and Facebook, or purchase online through their website.

RiverTree Music (#B1-11 Excelsior Shopping Centre, 5 Coleman Street)

59-year-old guitar technician Walter Chee started selling vinyl records as a hobby more than 20 years ago through online forums like Echoloft before opening his own store in Excelsior Shopping Centre in 2019. Having worked for 30 years as an engineering manager in a multinational corporation, Chee chased his passions and started his business, RiverTree Music, where he also repairs and maintains guitars. Chee says, “My love for building, restoring and repairing of the guitar and the synergy of sharing music on vinyl format prompted me to integrate the two together.” 

RiverTree stands out in this list for its curation of original pressed pre-owned vinyl records from the 1960s to the 1990s, including classic rock, metal, blues, jazz and pop. Fans of Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Miles Davis, John Lee Hooker and The Beatles will have a field day at RiverTree. New wave and retro music, such as Tears for Fears, Duran Duran, The Human League, Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, Radiohead and Oasis have also been flying off the shelves.

Although the shop doesn’t have a fixed schedule when it comes to restocks, like all good things, RiverTree’s collection for these artists are limited, so the early bird gets the worm! “Part of the thrill in this hobby is 'crate digging'. Just come and dig around, you might be surprised,” adds Chee.

If you're a crate-digger or old-school collector, you can find them on Instagram and Facebook.

Hear Records (#01-18 Burlington Square, 175B Bencoolen Street)

Founded in 2013, Hear Records was born out of a desire to bridge the generational gap in vinyl culture. According to the shop's founder, most record stores at the time focused heavily on music from the 1970s and 1980s, as well as jazz and Chinese oldies, leaving younger listeners with few options that reflected their own musical tastes. “If you don’t give the youth a chance to buy music from their generation, record stores won’t in the future. That’s why we made it a point to offer that choice,” says the business owner.

Today, the store stocks both new and preloved records spanning from the 1960s to the present, covering a diverse mix of genres such as pop, rock, hip-hop, jazz, soul, indie, and more. While new records are kept in mint condition, curious listeners can browse and play the pre-loved vinyl records on the spot.

The store is more than just a local favourite; it has also made a name for itself on the global vinyl scene, earning a spot on the UK-based online magazine The Vinyl Factory’s list of the world’s top vinyl shops in 2016. They were also featured as a must-visit destination for vinyl enthusiasts two years later in renowned music journalist Marcus Barnes’ book Around the World in 80 Record Stores: A Guide to the Best Vinyl Emporiums on the Planet.

Supporting local is Hear Record’s signature. The store buys 10 to 50 records straight from local indie bands including Cheating Sons, Dru Chen, and more. "If we can't sell the records, we'll absorb the risk, but otherwise we'll donate all the profits to charity foundations for needy children," says the founder.

Speaking of local artists, the music lifestyle store has hosted in-store performances by Singaporean musicians and bands such as The Observatory and Hanging Up The Moon, and also runs a “Support Local, Support Charity” initiative where proceeds from the sale of vinyl records by local musicians are donated to charity. 

New records are restocked three to four times a week, and if that’s not enough, around 2000 used vinyl records are put up for sale every six weeks, so you’ll be spoilt for choice. 

Find them on Instagram and Facebook.

This story first appeared in Female's February 2017 issue and has been refreshed for web in June 2025.