Torn Light Records

Torn Light moved its shop to Chicago in January 2024 after a decade of activity beginning in Northern Kentucky and Cincinnati. The Bucktown storefront brings a broad but particular mix: experimental records, jazz, post-punk, psych, soul and international music sit alongside CDs, tapes and books. The business also releases music, and its Radio Topo and mixtape activity offer ways into the selection beyond a title search. A May 2026 in-store record-release performance confirms the live connection is current. Choose Torn Light for the relationships between recorded music and reading, not only the newest LP. Its position near the Western Blue Line makes it a practical destination in its own right, or a separate leg northwest from Wicker Park.

New and used vinyl, CDs, cassettes, books and zines, including experimental music, jazz, post-punk, psych, soul and international recordings.

Torn Light buys vinyl collections of any size. It can assess records at the storefront or arrange an appointment for a house call; contact the shop with collection details.

1855 North Milwaukee Avenue in Bucktown. The shop identifies the Western Blue Line station one block away and the Route 56 bus as useful approaches.

Leave time for the books and tapes as well as LPs. Check the current live calendar if you want to connect the browse with an in-store performance.