Groove Denied

The gatefold sleeve is sturdy and the vinyl arrived flat, which is always a relief when ordering records online. Stephen Malkmus’s songwriting really shines through on this 12-inch pressing, with a warm analog sound that suits the material perfectly.

The pressing is dead quiet between tracks, which makes the analog warmth really stand out on a 12-inch format like this. I’ve spun it twice already and the low-end hum is just right for an evening listen, no crackle to distract from the mood.

I was surprised by how well the dynamics come through on this pressing—the drums and bass have a nice punch. It's a clean, flat record that plays without any warps or surface noise. Perfect for a quiet evening spin.