Mac Miller was a shapeshifter. Honestly, calling him just a "rapper" feels like a disservice to the sheer amount of music he lived and breathed. Most people know the frat-rap era or the deep, introspective world of Swimming and Circles. But then there’s Larry.
Larry Lovestein.
Back in 2012, Mac decided to put on a metaphorical tuxedo, pour some dark liquor, and record a lounge-jazz EP called You. He wasn’t just messing around, either. He played the piano, he crooned, and he created this weirdly beautiful, smoky atmosphere that felt like it belonged in a 1970s basement club rather than a Pittsburgh bedroom. For years, Larry Lovestein and the Velvet Revival vinyl was the stuff of legends—mostly because it didn't officially exist.
The 10-Inch Gold Mystery
For a decade, if you wanted You on vinyl, you were looking at bootlegs. Sketchy eBay listings. Dubious "import" pressings from Europe that sounded like they were recorded underwater. Fans were desperate.
Then came Record Store Day (RSD) 2023.
Rostrum Records finally did the thing. They released an official 10-inch gold vinyl version of the EP. It was limited. Very limited. We’re talking about a release that had people camping out at 4:00 AM just to get a glimpse of that uncoated heavyweight wide-spine jacket. It even came with a poster of Larry’s "only" live performance at the Baked Potato jazz club in LA.
But here’s the kicker: the demand blew the supply out of the water.
Because it was an RSD exclusive, the secondary market went absolutely nuts. You’d see these 10-inch discs popping up for $150, $200, even $300. It became one of those "holy grail" items for Mac Miller collectors. If you didn’t grab one in April 2023, you were basically out of luck unless you had a very fat wallet and a lot of trust in a Discogs seller.
Why Does This Record Sound Different?
It’s not just the jazz. It’s the transition.
When Mac recorded this, he was right in the middle of a massive creative pivot. He had just finished Macadelic and was moving toward Watching Movies with the Sound Off. He was 20 years old. Think about that. Most 20-year-olds are figuring out how to do laundry; Mac was busy producing and arranging a jazz record where he forcibly stopped himself from rapping just to see if he could carry a tune.
The tracklist is short but sweet:
- Life Can Wait
- Love Affair
- Suspicions
- A Moment 4 Jazz
- You
"Suspicions" is probably the standout for most. It’s breathless. It’s wounded. It’s got this pseudo-breakup energy that feels raw because his voice isn't polished. It’s gravelly and imperfect. That’s exactly why the vinyl is so sought after—it captures a specific, unrepeatable moment of a genius just trying stuff out for the sake of art.
The 2025 Standard Black Pressing
If you missed the gold RSD version, there was a glimmer of hope recently. Rostrum Records and various retailers like Turntable Lab and Target started listing a standard black 10-inch vinyl with an October 24, 2025, street date.
This is the "retail" version. It doesn't have the gold shimmer, but it has the same music. Same five tracks. Same wide-spine jacket. The UPC you’re looking for to ensure it's legit is 196922265631.
Interestingly, a "Red Swirl" variant also popped up in late 2025, limited to about 3,000 copies through Fat Beats and other boutiques. This version has been hovering around the $90 to $160 range on the resale market, depending on how "mint" the condition is.
How to Avoid Getting Scammed
Buying vinyl online is a minefield. For a high-value item like Larry Lovestein, the scammers are out in full force. Here’s how you spot the fakes:
- Check the Size: The official releases (both RSD gold and the 2025 black/red versions) are 10-inch records. If you see a 12-inch version, it’s a bootleg. Period.
- The Jacket Feel: Authentic copies use a "deluxe uncoated" jacket. It feels slightly rough, like high-quality cardstock, not that glossy, shiny plastic feel of a cheap reprint.
- Matrix Numbers: Look at the "dead wax" (the space between the last song and the label). Official Rostrum pressings will have clean, machine-stamped or very neat hand-etched matrix numbers that match the catalog ID (usually RQTR-732).
- The Shrink Wrap: If the plastic wrap is loose, crinkly, and feels like a grocery bag, run. Official pressings use tight, professional shrink wrap.
What to Do Next
If you’re serious about adding this to your collection, don't just jump on the first eBay listing you see.
First, check local independent record stores. Since the 2025 restock, some shops have been getting small trickles of the black vinyl. You might find it for the retail price of around $20 instead of the $100+ resale mark.
Second, if you're going the resale route, ask for photos of the back cover and the matrix runout. A legitimate seller who knows what they have won't mind proving it’s an official Rostrum pressing.
Finally, just listen to the digital version again while you wait. You is an album meant for rainy Sundays and late nights. Whether it’s spinning on a turntable or streaming through your headphones, the magic of Larry Lovestein is in the vibe, not just the plastic.
Actionable Step: Head over to Discogs and add the 2025 black vinyl (UPC 196922265631) to your "Wantlist." You'll get an email notification the second someone lists a copy for a reasonable price, helping you beat the flippers.