2025 Roundup: Bestsellers and Hot Tips for 2026
Breakthrough debuts, Gen Z indie icons, hyperpop's next wave, anticipated soundtracks and long-teased follow-ups. We round up the biggest releases of the past year…
A Rough Guide To: Contemporary Irish Alternative Music
"Nobel prize-winning poets and writers, world-conquering rock bands, and artists who seemingly invented genres of music, and all that was just in the last 100…
The Best Songs of 2025
"Oooooh, this feels illegal." Our year, wrapped. Amongst our appreciation for full-length statements, there will always be those singular songs which have just as…
Compilations and Reissues of the Year 2025
"From conception to release this record was born from unwavering passion, deep seated respect, and irrepressible love...a celebration of (so-called) misspent youth, big dreamers…
Albums of the Year 2025
"What makes our Album of the Year so special is that their vision is entirely their own. In the seven years since we first got…
In Conversation with caroline
“Streaming services and YouTube have their own problems, but I think their existence means that there are far more crossovers between musicians who perhaps wouldn'…
Top of the Shots: Live at Rough Trade - October 2025
Live, loud and in focus. From shoegazey sonics, zine launches, Halloween soirées, intimate Grade II listed venue spaces and romantic guitar pop. October has delivered us…
A Rough Guide To: The Best Gift Ideas for Vinyl Lovers
Vinyl record sales have been on the rise for the last 15 years, even overtaking CD sales. A combination of OG collectors adding to their stash…
Record Store Day: Black Friday 2025
Save the date - Friday 28th November. Browse special Limited Edition Record Store Day Black Friday vinyl exclusives from Chappell Roan, Olivia Dean, Gang of Four,…
Rough Trade Essential: Metal
"Whenever I play or listen to Sabbath now, it’s with a renewed life and admiration for the man who paved the way for his…
Top of the Shots: Live at Rough Trade - September 2025
Live, loud and in focus. From intimate in-store moments, surprise appearances on The Tonight Show, artist showcases, signings and more. September has delivered us a slew…
A Rough Guide To: Hardcore
"The first time I heard Terror frontman Scott Vogel utter the words: "more stage dives” I knew this community was the one for me.…
Rough Trade Merch: Autumn 2025 Lookbook
From gig to street to sofa. Rough Trade’s core merch range is built on quality and longevity, using durable fabrics and considered fits that hold…
Berlin in 20 Songs
"It’s about the city’s rough edges, but also the strange beauty you find in them. That's Berlin's 24-hour culture:…
New York City in 100 Songs
To celebrate the city that has given so much to us, we asked our staff to name the songs that represent it best. New York City…