Modern Sound is one of Rio's last great independent record stores, holding its ground on Rua Barata Ribeiro in Copacabana since 1966. The collection leans heavily into Brazilian music — bossa nova, MPB, samba, and tropicália — and the staff know their catalogue well enough to steer you toward the right Cartola album or a Hermeto Pascoal deep cut you didn't know you needed.
The shop doubles as a small cultural venue. A stage at the back hosts free live performances several nights a week, often featuring up-and-coming Brazilian artists. There's a cafe area where you can sit with a coffee and listen to whatever's playing over the speakers. Even if you're not buying, it's a good place to spend half an hour discovering something new.