The Best Target-Exclusive Vinyl Albums, Including the Deluxe ‘Tortured Poets’ Anthology
If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Rolling Stone may receive an affiliate commission.
Local record stores remain the best place to pick up hard-to-find, unique albums. But for big releases from major artists, Target’s selection of exclusive vinyl is impressively deep for collectors and casual fans alike. Target’s vinyl exclusives have special features like posters and one-of-a-kind color variants that add to their collectibility.
Target’s exclusive vinyl leans heavily on pop artists like Taylor Swift, Olivia Rodrigo, and Harry Styles. But hip-hop heads, classic rock fans, and soul music enthusiasts can find the likes of Kendrick Lamar, Tom Petty, and Marvin Gaye among Target’s digital shelves. In short, there’s something for almost everyone.
Many beginner record collectors don’t own a turntable, and while shopping for a record player can be intimidating, our music-obsessed commerce editors have tips on buying affordable turntables, Bluetooth turntables, and speakers.
To make shopping Target’s deep vinyl selection easier, we’ve rounded up some stand-out Target-exclusive LPs, ranging from new albums to re-releases of must-have collector staples. Don’t forget to check back here, as we’ll be adding new releases to the list.
Taylor Swift – The Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology
Taylor Swift’s Tortured Poets Department got an exclusive anthology release from Target. The release includes 4 marbled translucent vinyl discs, with four acoustic bonus tracks. The album also comes with a 12″ x 12″ poster. The Rolling Stone review called the songwriting “more gloriously chaotic than we’ve ever heard her before.”
Target Release Date: November 29, 2024
Various Artists – Wicked: The Soundtrack
The Wicked soundtrack, featuring performances from Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande is pressed on pink and green vinyl. The double LP features 11 tracks and closes out with “Defying Gravity.” It’s currently out of stock, but we’ll keep an eye out if it’s restocked.
Target Release Date: November 22, 2024
Shawn Mendes – Shawn
After multiple delays, Shawn Mendes released Shawn in November, which was preceded by the singles “Why Why Why” and “Isn’t That Enough.” The LP is pressed on opaque red vinyl, and the album comes with a poster.
Target Release Date: November 15, 2024
Jelly Roll – Beautifully Broken
From SNL to Tulsa King to the Twisters soundtrack, Jelly Roll has had an enormous 2024. And the country singer has a lot to say on his 22-track album, Beautifully Broken, led by the single “I Am Not Okay.” The Target-exclusive edition features a white-and-gold vinyl LP. The Rolling Stone review noted, “Embracing one’s failings, not pushing them away, is part of the Jelly Roll story and he leans hard into that narrative throughout Beautifully Broken.”
Target Release Date: October 11, 2024
The Killers – Hot Fuss
The Killers’ generation-defining smash hit album Hot Fuss is somehow 20 years old, and to celebrate, the album got a Target-exclusive reissue on a milky brown “bone” vinyl. The 11-track album features hits like “Smile Like You Mean It,” “Somebody Told Me,” and of course, “Mr. Brightside.” The brief contemporary Rolling Stone review called it “all Killers, no filler.”
Target Release Date: October 11, 2024
Coldplay – Moon Music
Coldplay’s latest album takes an environmentally-conscious approach to physical media. The album is the first 140g EcoRecord rPET LP, with each copy being manufactured from 9 recycled plastic water bottles to reduce the production of virgin plastic. The Target exclusive of the 10-track album is pressed on translucent red vinyl. The space theme continues from their previous album, Music of the Spheres, and the Rolling Stone review called Moon Music “every bit as intergalactically ambitious as you’d expect, musically spacious and emotionally boundless.”
Target Release Date: October 4, 2024
Leon Bridges – Leon
Leon Bridges’ latest album, Leon, was informed by his upbringing in Texas and was supported by the single “Peaceful Place.” The Target-exclusive LP is pressed on an off-white “bone” color vinyl. The Rolling Stone review noted “His new album Leon might be the one that grounds him the most as an artist. It’s a revealing look at the places that shaped him as a musician out of Texas, teeming with imagery of the Rio Grande and Lone Star city nights.”
Target Release Date: October 4, 2024
Chappell Roan – The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess
Chappell Roan’s The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess may have been released last year, but her popularity skyrocketed this year, with fans seeking out her debut album. It’s being rereleased with a special anniversary edition, plus a range of other exclusive editions. The Target-exclusive version features a multi-colored coral color and comes with a poster.
Target Release Date: September 20, 2024
Sabrina Carpenter – Short n’ Sweet
Sabrina Carpenter’s “Espresso” had a well-caffeinated rise up the Billboard charts, with “Please, Please, Please” and “Taste” also climbing to the top of the Hot 100. The Target release is pressed on bubblegum pink vinyl and includes a poster.
Target Release Date: August 23, 2024
Post Malone – F-1 Trillion
Post Malone’s new album finds him going full country; the 18-track album features contributions from Luke Combs, Dolly Parton, Jelly Roll, and Morgan Wallen. The double-LP release has a center label inspired by truck rims, and the Target-exclusive version is pressed on gray-colored vinyl. The album was released through Republic Records, an imprint of Universal Music Group.
Target Release Date: August 16, 2024
Beabadoobee – This Is How Tomorrow Moves
Beabadoobee’s low-key, bedroom pop sound belies the fact that legendary producer Rick Rubin oversaw her latest album, This Is How Tomorrow Moves. The Rolling Stone review said, “Whether it’s the sizzling chords in “Beaches” or in-your-face percussion in “Post,” Bea has crystallized her sonic landscape, thanks to her command of guitar and her angelic delivery.” The Target exclusive is pressed on a beige single LP.
Target Release Date: August 9, 2024
Schoolboy Q – Oxymoron 10th Anniversary
Oxymoron remains a landmark album in Schoolboy Q’s oeuvre, producing hit singles like “Collard Greens” and “Man of The Year.” The Target release celebrates its 10th anniversary and is pressed on a double LP, with one silver and one transparent vinyl. In addition to the exclusive color variant, this edition includes two Target-exclusive bonus tracks, “Pusha Man” and “Californication.”
Target Release Date: July 26, 2024
Various Artists – Deadpool & Wolverine
Deadpool & Wolverine is full of Easter eggs and pop culture references, and the film’s soundtrack is fittingly eclectic. It includes everything from Aretha Franklin and The Platters to Avril Lavigne and Green Day. It even features the title track from The Greatest Showman, performed by Hugh Jackman. The exclusive is pressed on two yellow LPs.
Target Release Date: July 26, 2024
Enhypen – Romance: Untold
K-pop group Enhyphen’s new album Romance: Untold peaked at number 2 on the Billboard 200, and the band released unique CD and vinyl offerings as Target exclusives. The red vinyl comes in a transparent plastic sleeve and includes a lyric booklet and 2 stickers.
Target Release Date: July 12, 2024
Taylor Swift – The Tortured Poets Department
This exclusive of Taylor Swift’s latest album, The Tortured Poets Department, is pressed on a two-LP phantom clear vinyl. It features an album sleeve with exclusive photos and the bonus track “The Manuscript.”
Target Release Date: April 19, 2024
Billie Eilish – Hit Me Hard And Soft
Billie Eilish has been a vocal crusader on environmental issues, which is why she approached her Target-exclusive release differently. The LP is pressed on Eco-Mix vinyl, which is 100% recycled using trims and leftovers from the production of other albums. That means each album is a slightly different color, ranging from yellow to orange. The single LP album comes with a poster as well.
Target Release Date: May 17, 2024
Kacey Musgraves – Deeper Well
Kacey Musgraves’ Deeper Well finds the country singer in a plaintive mood, reflecting on the impact of fame while taking stock of what’s important in her life. The single red LP is half-opaque and half-transparent, and the record comes with a fold-out poster. The LP is pressed on 180-gram vinyl, known for being heavier and less prone to warping.
Target Release Date: March 15, 2024
Olivia Rodrigo – GUTS
Olivia Rodgrigo’s second album, GUTS, was dubbed an Instant Classic by Rolling Stone. Reviewer Rob Sheffield wrote that “she proves that she’s a voice that’s here to stay and a songwriter built to last.” The Target-exclusive version features an alternate cover, as well as a poster. The single LP record is magenta.
Target Release Date: September 8, 2023
Lana Del Rey – Did you know that there’s a tunnel under Ocean Blvd
Lana Del Rey’s Ocean Blvd is perhaps the first album where she looks back, and it includes musical motifs and references to her earlier albums. But sonically, she pushes her sound forward, adding a long list of collaborators to her dreamy ’60s vocal style. The Target-exclusive vinyl features an alternate cover, a double LP in dark pink, and a poster.
Target Release Date: March 24, 2023
Kendrick Lamar – Good Kid, m.A.A.d City
Good Kid, m.A.A.d City is the undisputed hip-hop classic that launched Kendrick Lamar to global superstardom, and it got a Target-exclusive re-release for its 10th anniversary in 2022. The album comes with two opaque red LPs in a gatefold sleeve.
Target Release Date: October 21, 2022
Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers – Greatest Hits
Tom Petty was one of the most influential rock artists of all time, and while it would be hard to capture his influence in one album, this greatest hits album captures a slice of his genius over 18 songs. The two LP compilation is pressed on Translucent Blue vinyl.
Target Release Date: January 7, 2022
Prince & The Revolution – Purple Rain
Prince’s Purple Rain is one of the most essential albums in any collection, whether or not you’ve seen the film that it’s technically the soundtrack to. Unsurprisingly, the Target-exclusive edition is pressed on purple vinyl.
Target Release Date: November 12, 2021
Marvin Gaye- Number 1’s
Few artists have pushed soul music as far as Marvin Gaye, whose albums range from the political messages of What’s Going On to the seductively funky sound of Midnight Love. This Target-exclusive vinyl collects his biggest hits on a translucent purple 1-LP vinyl.
Target Release Date: January 10, 2020
Nirvana – Unplugged
Nirvana’s Unplugged is a classic LP and one of the most famous live concerts of all time. The mostly acoustic session was released after Kurt Cobain’s death, and it features tracks from the band’s three studio albums as well as Nirvana’s iconic cover of David Bowie’s “The Man Who Sold The World.” The Target-exclusive record is pressed on opaque purple vinyl.
Target Release Date: October 18, 2019