4AD

4AD on vinyl: sound and design from London

In short: 4AD was founded in London in 1980 and shaped the indie sound of the eighties with bands like Cocteau Twins, Pixies and Dead Can Dance. Dreamy, reverb-heavy music and the sleeves of designer Vaughan Oliver were typical. Its later catalogue includes Grimes and Bon Iver; Big Thief release on 4AD too. The Vinyl Room currently has 30 4AD records.

From our stock

First pressings

Indie & shoegaze

Synth-pop & experimental

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→ Grimes · Beirut · Shoegaze · How to spot a first pressing

What makes 4AD special?

From the early years we have Matt Johnson’s “Burning Blue Soul” (1981), before he became known with The The, and early-nineties shoegaze: Lush with “Gala” and “Spooky”, Pale Saints with “Half-Life” and Ultra Vivid Scene.

Since the 2000s 4AD has broadened: Beirut with “The Flying Club Cup”, Bon Iver, Deerhunter’s “Halcyon Digest”, Grimes with “Visions” and “Art Angels” and Future Islands. Add sound artists like Tim Hecker and Jóhann Jóhannsson, the “Planetarium” project by Sufjan Stevens and others – and Copenhagen’s Erika de Casier with “Sensational”.

FAQ

Who founded 4AD? Ivo Watts-Russell and Peter Kent, in London in 1980.

What is 4AD known for? For bands such as Cocteau Twins, Pixies and Dead Can Dance – and for Vaughan Oliver’s sleeves.

Which well-known artists are in the catalogue? Among others Grimes, Bon Iver and Big Thief.

What do you have on 4AD? Indie rock, shoegaze, synth-pop and experimental music – 30 records in all.