Current record covers showing freshness (3)
I believe the answer is:
lip
'freshness' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'current record covers' is the wordplay.
'current' becomes 'I' (symbol for electric current).
'record' becomes 'L-P' (abbreviation for long play record).
'covers' is an insertion indicator.
'i' going inside 'lp' is 'LIP'.
'showing' is the link.
(Other definitions for lip that I've seen before include "Aural impudence" , "Part of mouth or cheek" , "In slang, impudent talk" , "It can be read" , "Edge, rim" .)