10 Records Every Gal Should Own

So, you just got a record player—and now you need records. But… where do you start? Good question, so we enlisted the help of music expert/Nasty Gal social media maven Isabella to help us track down the top 10 records every girl needs to kick off her collection. (Think of these as classic albums that are sure to stand the test of time.) So, Isabella headed out to the iconic Amoeba Music store in Hollywood to pick out some of her favorite albums. Quick tip for scoring amazing vinyl: “When you buy used, it’s totally cool to check out the record and make sure there aren’t any scratches. Re-issues are great too and very easy to find. Check your local radio station or paper for record swaps. This is the jam if you want to score some rare vinyl, and you’ll probably learn about some awesome stuff you haven’t heard yet. Also, dig through dollar record bins—you can find some gems in there.” All right, let’s get to it!

1. Funkadelic, Maggot Brain (1971)

“Check out their other project Parliament, too. The album Mothership Connection is amazing if you put on The Hobbit cartoon (from 1977) and turn P-Funk way up. I have a theory that Star Child is actually Gollum. It syncs up perfectly.”

2. David Bowie, Changes (1972)

“As a whole album, this might be the one to own on vinyl, but Hunky Dory and Space Oddity are also great music (and hair phases!) from this ‘Man Who Fell to Earth.’”

3. ESG, Come Away With ESG (1983)

“These ladies will get any party started. You can put on the A and B side to this record and have the most epic party ever. I do it all the time.”

4. Notorious B.I.G., Ready To Die (1994)

“Music history here. This album put Biggy, P Diddy, and Bad Boy Records on the map.”

5. Black Sabbath, Paranoid (1970)

“‘Nuff said.”

6. T.Rex, Electric Warrior (1971)

“I have a major soft spot for Marc Bolan, and this might be because my dog Dirt rocks a similar hairdo. Some would say that T.Rex was bigger than The Beatles at one point, even though you might not have heard of them. Check out Born To Boogie (a trippy film also staring Ringo Starr) and Marc Bolan’s folkier entity Tyrannosaurus Rex.”

7. Ramones, Ramones (1976)

“New York in 1976? Yes, please! The record is so good they didn’t even to make up a real title. The original Nasty Guys.”

8. Lauryn Hill, The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill (1998)

“This album was Lauryn Hill’s throwback to the days of vinyl. You can even hear some vinyl cracks on the self-titled track. She is one of the most epic lyricists and her first band, The Fugees, was pretty rad too.”

9. New Order, Power Corruption & Lies (1983)

“Amazing album—so much fun to dance to! Also check out Joy Division—the band that New Order was born out of. You’ll want to turn off all the lights, throw a basement party, and just let your limbs swing to these jams.”

10. Prince, Controversy (1981)

“Check out Purple Rain (album and film) and Prince’s third album Dirty Mind. This record changed my life in high school. Final step: Get a mixer, a second turntable, and headphones. Now you’re ready to DJ your next house party!”