Father’s Day is fast approaching, and finding the perfect gift can be a challenge, especially for the dad who seems to have everything. So this year, why not surprise him with a timeless present that combines nostalgia and personal taste?
Vinyl records have made a remarkable comeback over the past few years, offering a tactile and auditory experience that digital formats simply can’t match. With a vast array of genres and artists to choose from, there’s surely a vinyl record out there that perfectly captures the essence of every dad’s unique personality and interests.
Billboard Philippines lists down our picks for the best records to gift your dads — depending on what fits his taste or matches his personality — to expand his musical horizons and give his growing vinyl collection a cool, trendy, or edgy vibe.
For the angst-ridden Gen X dad: The Smashing Pumpkins – Mellon Collie & The Infinite Sadness

Courtesy of The Smashing Pumpkins Official Webstore
When The Smashing Pumpkins released Mellon Collie & The Infinite Sadness back in 1995, it served as the quintessential representation of the alternative rock and grunge era that defined the teenage and young adult years of many Gen Xers. With its themes of existential angst, emotional turbulence, and introspective lyrics, Mellon Collie & The Infinite Sadness resonates deeply with those who navigated their formative years during the ’90s.
For the Gen X dad, revisiting this album on vinyl can evoke memories of youth, rebellion, and the search for meaning — which pairs well with the tactile experience of dissecting the special boxset that was first reissued on the album’s 17th anniversary. This package includes the classic album on four 180-gram heavyweight discs, a 36-page full-color art book featuring band member notes, photos, and credits, and a 28-page lyric book with illustrations that are worth gifting to any Gen X dad’s record collection.
For the dad who’s a bit of a hippie: Spy – Sulabama Reggae Blast

Courtesy of Eikon Records
Spy’s Sulabama Reggae Blast isn’t an easy album to find per se, yet it’s a record that perfectly embodies the laid-back, peace-loving spirit often associated with the hippie ethos. Spy’s specialized fusion of rock, jazz, and reggae translates into smooth bass lines, rhythmic drum patterns, out-there guitar work, and soulful lyrics which create the perfect soundtrack for leisurely afternoons, backyard gatherings, or moments of self-reflection — which makes it perfect for the dad who still has the hippie spirit.
Eikon Records’ pressing of this hard-to-find album is presented on a special two-disc vinyl set with a 20-page booklet featuring handwritten lyrics, adding to the collectible nature to the record. Gifting this rare, overlooked Pinoy reggae-rock gem would mark a great surprise this Father’s Day, delighting any hippie dad who’s looking to expand his reggae collection beyond Bob Marley’s discography.
Message Eikon Records Philippines on Facebook to order a copy.
For the dad in a mild existential crisis: The National – Boxer

Courtesy of Flying Nun Records
The National’s fourth studio full-length Boxer may be recognized as one of the best albums of the 21st century, but it’s also known for its brooding lyricism that tackles upon themes of self-reflection, uncertainty, and the complexities of adult life — ideal for someone who may not be happy with their job, or wonders if they took the right course in college, and so on.
For a dad in the midst of mild existential crisis, this album offers a sense of comfort and companionship in one great (if not timeless) record. Matt Berninger’s deep, melancholic voice coupled with the band’s intricate instrumentation creates an atmosphere that mirrors the contemplative state of someone navigating an existential crisis — which is perfectly suited for a dad who finds himself questioning life’s purpose and his place in it. If you know someone going through the same thing, hand him this record. He doesn’t have to be your dad.
For the former New Waver dad: New Order – Substance

Courtesy of Turntable Lab
Back in the ’80s, there was no other group dominating the New Wave scene as much as New Order did. The sonic evolution from their time as Joy Division paved the way for their signature synthesizers and electronic beats to break new ground in the industry, resulting in several hits that have become dancefloor staples to this day and age. Their fantastic compilation album, Substance, comprehensively collects New Order’s classic singles and b-sides from 1981 to 1987 — which is why it unsurprisingly became a holy grail for many vinyl aficionados once it went out of print.
Luckily for those who grew up on New Wave, Substance was just reissued early this year on a fantastic double heavyweight disc set on vinyl. This album not only represents the pinnacle of the group’s achievements but also encapsulates the broader cultural and musical shifts of the 1980s. Substance offers your New Waver kind of dad a nostalgic journey back to his youth, filled with iconic tracks like “Blue Monday,” “Bizarre Love Triangle,” and “True Faith,” which served as the soundtrack to his formative years — making this album a sentimental and meaningful record to gift.
For the dad who wears boat shoes: Vampire Weekend – Only God Was Above Us

Courtesy of the Vampire Weekend Webstore
Vampire Weekend has made a name for themselves in the indie music circuit as one of the most preppy and talented groups on the scene, delivering some excellent albums since their debut in 2008. Their latest, Only God Was Above Us, is no exception as it perfectly captures a blend of indie rock and collegiate sound that the group has refined over the years. Yet beneath the layer of the album’s upbeat and whimsical melodies, its dense, existential, and contemplative lyrical themes showcase a much more mature evolution of the band’s work.
For the dad who has a collection of boat shoes at home, Vampire Weekend’s latest record most likely reflects the preppy nature of his style and preferences, with its eclectic blend of baroque pop, rock, and indie elements resonating with someone who values a well-curated and stylish lifestyle. It’s a perfect record to gift this sort of dad, also because it fits right into the timeframe of where the band is at this stage of their lives. With its impressive show of maturity, Only God Was Above Us stands as the acclaimed group’s grittiest and most melodic record to date — as if its members have finally grown into their boat shoes.
For the dad who frequents jazz bars: Ryo Fukui – Scenery

Courtesy of We Release Jazz
Jazz is such a rich musical genre, with legends like Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Billie Holiday, Herbie Hancock, and more who have made their own distinct impact on the music scene over time. With the genre’s popularity and status as a favorite to own on vinyl, most collectors are likely to have the aforementioned artists already — so why not surprise your dad with a jazz record that’s a bit more esoteric?
Ryo Fukui’s Scenery was largely unheralded in the Western jazz scene but has garnered acclaim and recognition as one of the best Japanese jazz records out there. The 1976 debut album from the Hokkaido-born jazz pianist has him performing covers of “It Could Happen To You,” “I Want To Talk About You,” and “Early Summer,” in addition to his own original compositions (like the highlight “Scenery”). Having found new life and appreciation through a fairly recent reissue, it’s a great record to gift any father looking to grow his record collection with underrated gems that he could proudly show off to his friends who frequent jazz bars.
For the dad who DJs at home: Daft Punk – Random Access Memories (10th Anniversary Edition)

Courtesy of Turntable Lab
Daft Punk has left a legacy in the electronic music scene that is difficult to replace, considering how their influential discography and classic iconography have embedded themselves in popular culture over time. All of their four impeccable studio albums have continued to live on in several clubs, bars, and DJ sets all around the world, and there’s no question as to why their final full-length, Random Access Memories, is a staple for anyone who’s growing out their record collection.
For the dad who loves playing DJ in the house, being gifted Random Access Memories is surely a treat that he would appreciate. Its status as a stellar (and seamless) exploration of electronic music — blending funk, disco, and classic electronic elements into one cohesive and danceable collection — has established it as one of the best albums of all time. Iconic tracks like “Get Lucky” and “Lose Yourself to Dance” are guaranteed crowd-pleasers that can seamlessly fit into a variety of DJ styles and sets — which is the perfect gift for a dad who takes pride in curating the perfect soundtrack to every gathering of family or friends at home.
Even if your dad already has an original pressing (that’s probably already worn-out after more than a decade of use) of Random Access Memories, the recently released 10th Anniversary Edition offers the album in a brand new light, including an entire disc of unreleased material that’s worth exploring. New additions like “Horizon,” “Infinity Repeating,” and “Prime” are additional material that can be incorporated into your dad’s mixes. This anniversary reissue celebrates a decade of influence, reminding your dad of the album’s impact on the music scene and providing him with a high-quality pressing that is sure to energize any dance floor — whether it’s at home or in the club.
Looking for any of these records? Check out our guide to some of the best record stores in Metro Manila to start your search.