GIFT GUIDES
The 2023 Holiday Gift Guide For Music Lovers
This year’s Uproxx Gift Guides are brought to you by Sirius XM, check out their site to find all the holiday music and content you need to get into the gifting spirit.
Hanukkah starts on December 7, Christmas is on the 25th, and any other holidays you may be observing before 2023 comes to a close are probably kicking off soon, too. So, if you haven’t already gotten your holiday shopping done, time is running out. If you still have some music fans to buy for, we have you covered.
We’ve rounded up some of the best music-related gifts worth considering this year, and there’s a healthy mix of things that should appeal to just about everybody, whether they’re into audio, reading, hip-hop, rock, or whatever else. The items below come in at a range of price points, too, so no matter who you’re shopping for, get started by checking out the list below.
Powerbeats Pro Wireless High-Performance Earbuds
Price: $249.95
A quality pair of headphones can really let a song’s production and impact flourish, and Beats is one of the leading brands in the market. Their Powerbeats Pro earbuds are a solid pick, as they boast a 9-hour battery life, Siri functionality, and a bunch of other ease-of-use features.
Vibes High-Fidelity Earplugs
Price: $33.99
Seeing a live performance is perhaps the best way to hear music, but it’s also one of the loudest and potentially most harmful ways. Hearing protection is important, and Vibes’ hi-fidelity earplugs lower sound without sacrificing quality, making them a must-use for the next show you attend.
Get it here.
Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame x EARPEACE
Price: varies
Another hearing protection option worth looking into is EARPIECE’s collaboration with the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. They have standard and pro options, and if you’re unsure which one to get, the EARPIECE website has a quick rundown that should help you decide which set is right for you.
Get it here.
TCL Q Class Premium 3.1 Channel Sound Bar
Price: $249.99
The rise of concert films of Taylor Swift and Beyoncé doesn’t just mean people going to the theater for a concert experience, it also means that soon, people could be experiencing them in their home. But, to optimize that, you need a good sound system for your television. You can’t go wrong with the TCL Q Class Premium 3.1 Channel Sound Bar, a simple two-piece setup that offers high-end home audio at an affordable price point.
Get it here.
Soundboks 4
Price: $999
Do you know somebody who’s trying to throw a party in the woods? A rave in a cave? Some other sort of gathering with music, far away from an outlet? That calls for Soundboks, a huge, portable, battery-powered speaker that lets you crank it up to 126 decibels. The specs are impressive: It can go for up to 40 hours on a single charge (6 hours at full volume), it has an effective frequency range of 40 Hz to 20 kHz, and it’s splash proof.
Get it here.
Dave Grohl — The Storyteller
Price: $21.99
Between his time in Nirvana, Foo Fighters, and the many other endeavors he’s been involved in, Dave Grohl has seen some stuff, which means his memoir ought to be pretty darn interesting. If you want a taste of what to expect before committing to the buy, here’s an excerpt he shared previously, about the time he met Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr.
Get it here.
Paul McCartney — The Lyrics: 1956 To The Present
Price: $30
Speaking of McCartney: He put out a book of his own in 2021 and it would be a perfect gift for the Beatles fan in your life who has happened to have missed it. A new paperback edition was released recently and it comes with seven new song commentaries, on ’Bluebird,” “Day Tripper,” “English Tea,” “Every Night,” “Hello, Goodbye,” “Magical Mystery Tour,” and “Step Inside Love.”
Get it here.
Skullcandy x Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Price: $159.99
TMNT is back in the spotlight right now after Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem was one of this summer’s biggest movies. Now, they’ve teamed up with headphone favorites Skullcandy for a new wireless gaming headset that’s a striking “ooze” color and comes with interchangeable headbands.
Get it here.
Skullcandy Rail ANC True Wireless Earbuds
Price: $99.99
Like Skullcandy but want it less turtle-y for some reason (or just prefer earbuds to a gaming headset)? The Rail ANC True Wireless Earbuds are worth a look: They boast a 38-hour battery life, they have 4-microphone active noise canceling, and if you forget where you put them, they even have Tile finding technology.
Get it here.
Blackpink x Funko Pop!
Price: varies
Shortly after Funko announced their new Blackpink collaboration in October, pre-orders sold out. A number of items, like group member keychains, are still available as of this post, though. They’re cheap, too, making them perfect stocking-stuffers for any Blinks on your gift list.
Get it here.
Blackpink x Loungefly
Price: varies
Not enough Blackpink for you? Well, their Funko collab goes deeper: The group teamed with Funko’s Loungefly brand for a line of gorgeous accessories. Specifically, there’s a backpack, crossbody bag, and zip wallet, all of which come in a matching black and pink color scheme that’s perfectly executed.
Get it here.
Meta Quest 2
Price: $249.99
We don’t really have to explain that Meta Quest 2 is one of the best ways to experience the world of VR entertainment. From a music perspective, though: Meta has the Music Valley Concert Series coming up, and the VR performance lineup includes The Kid Laroi, Jung Kook, Jorja Smith, and Alec Benjamin.
Get it here.
Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses
Price: varies
In addition to Ray-Ban being one of the most trusted glasses brands, they pack some impressive tech into their new smart glasses thanks to a Meta partnership. You can livestream with them, you can take pictures, and you can even listen to music thanks to the built-in “discreet open-ear speakers let you enjoy rich audio quality, music and calls, while keeping you connected to the world around you.”
Get it here.
Fender Play
Price: $19.99 per month or $149.99 per year
Getting into guitar can be tough, so if you know somebody on your shopping list is getting an axe of their own, a Fender Play subsciption could be a good complementary gift. The service offers guitar lessons to sharpen your skills, bite-size tutorials to learn songs in a flash, and a community where aspiring players can support each other.
Get it here.
Sonos Era 100
Price: $249
A lot of high-end home audio setups can be bulky, but Sonos Era 100 sounds great and comes in a compact form factor. Aside from its minimal footprint and simple-but-elegant aesthetic, it should work with whatever you’re trying to play your music from, whether it’s a Bluetooth-compatible device or an older piece of hardware that can connect via line in.
Get it here.
DOOMSDAY 2023
Price: varies
Rhymesayers Entertainment and MF DOOM’s estate are commemorating the late rapper with a new DOOMSDAY drop. This capsule includes a bunch of limited merch items with a ton of variety, meaning there should be something for everybody. Options include embroidered hoodies, T-shirts, sweatpants, socks, slides with custom printed shoeboxes, skate decks, pins, and more.
Get it here.
Tyler The Creator Spotify Capsule Collection
Price: varies
It doesn’t matter what your favorite Tyler The Creator album/era is: Spotify’s new merch capsule collection has you covered. You can browse the collection album-by-album and cover yourself head-to-toe in hoodies, socks, hats, and other pieces you can incorporate into your everyday look.
Get it here.
Ticketmaster Gift Card
Price: varies
You don’t even have to know what music your giftee is into for this present to work: A Ticketmaster gift card gives the gift of live music (or live sports of theater or anything, really) in all its forms. They’re flexible, too, as you can get a gift card in any amount from $25 to $500.
Get it here.
Billie Eilish Eau De Parfum
Price: varies
Eilish has been building herself a nice perfume line for a little while now. She’s up to three different Eau de Parfum scents at the moment, including the recently released Eilish No. 3. That one’s actually sold out as of the writing of this post, but maybe it’ll be back in stock by the time you read this. If not, you can still grab the two previous award-winning scents right now.
Get it here.
Megan Thee Stallion Merch
Price: varies
Megan Thee Stallion has become a pop culture favorite in recent years, and she has a killer merch line, too, featuring everything from shirts, to bikinis to pet collars. You don’t even have to be a Meg fan to get into her merch, really, as a lot of people could get down with a “Bad b*tches have bad days too!” hoodie.
Get it here.
Taylor Swift Merch
Price: varies
Taylor Swift is also a merch queen, and while vinyl might be the first thing you think of when it comes to her offerings, she has a bunch of different coals on the fire. We actually wrote a whole Swift-specific gift guide, so that’s a good place to start looking. Then there’s her online shop, which has everything from hoodies to pajamas to a clock.
Get it here.
Drake and Kendra Samir — Titles Ruin Everything
Price: $19.95
We put together a Drake gift guide, too, and one of the items worth highlighting here is Titles Ruin Everything, his and Kendra Samir’s poetry book. You’ve seen DJ Khaled reading it, and now you can, too.
Get it here.
Ice Spice Chia Pet
Price: $34.99
First there was the Ice Spice Munchkins Drink from Dunkin, and now Ice Spice is continuing her crusade of perfect branding opportunities with a new Chia Pet. Chia Pets are one of the all-time fun novelty gifts, and getting Ice Spice as the model for one is an absolutely perfect use of the format.
Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.
A Drake Holiday Gift Guide For The 6 God Fans In Your Life
The holidays are upon us, and there’s no greater gift than the gift of music. This holiday season, you can give the Drake fan in your life all sorts of goodies and treats.
Uproxx has put together a nifty little guide for Drizzy fans, for those who simply can’t have too much of the prolific rapper. At the time of writing, no Black Friday deals have been announced, but fans can purchase some fun items just in time for jolly season (and some of the options below might just get price cuts as Black Friday approaches).
Dave’s-giving Party Pack from Dave’s Hot Chicken
Drake fans who wish to get the festivities started early with the Dave’s Hot Turkey Party Pack from Dave’s Hot Chicken — a chain in which Drake is an investor. The Dave’s-giving party pack comes with Winter Sports-Themed Bibs, a Floral Centerpiece Cutout featuring Dave’s heads as tulips, photobooth props, and much more. Guests of Southern California- and Detroit-area Dave’s stores can add this pack to orders of sliders, tenders, or fries for $10 more, or purchase for an additional $12. Granted, this merch isn’t directly related to Drake, but makes for a fun addition to Drake memorabilia.
Items are available in select stores only.
Tickets to Drake’s It’s All A Blur — The Big What? Tour
Drake and J. Cole will kick off 2024 with their North American It’s All A Blur — The Big What? Tour. While they won’t be hitting too many major cities, Drake does plan to touch on the cities he missed on the first go-around of the tour. This is ideal for Drake fans who also didn’t get to make the first iteration of It’s All A Blur.
Tickets are available for purchase here.
Drake and Kendra Samir’s Titles Ruin Everything poetry book
Drake and longtime collaborator Kendra Samir released a poetry book called Titles Ruin Everything, a collection of words and lines Drake previously described as a “stream of consciousness.” While Drake’s most recent music has prompted some mixed reactions, the poetry book makes for a lovely addition to one’s coffee table.
The book is available for purchase through Drake’s official merchandiser, Drake Related.
Drake’s Views hoodie and sweatpants
Keep it cozy with loungewear embedded with the logo from Drake’s 2016 album, Views — which many fans hail as the quintessential Drake project.
Items are available via Drake Related.
Drake’s Good Thoughts candle
Manifest positive energy into your home with the Good Thoughts candle. Crafted with orange and fir balsam and paired with rose and sandalwood provides a spiritual experience within the house.
Candles are available for purchase through Better World Fragrance House.
Drake’s Nike NOCTA Glides
Kick it like Drake in these stylish new NOCTA Glides, which he designed as a partnership with Nike. These may be a bit more pricey than some of the aforementioned items, but they’ll run you cheaper than some of the tickets for the It’s All A Blur shows. Granted, you may have to fight some Ticketmaster-esque crowds.
The Glides are available for purchase through NOCTA.
A Beyoncé Holiday Gift Guide For The Beyhive Member In Your Life
As of this writing, Thanksgiving is just two days away, and Christmas (or the alternative celebration of your choice) is just around the corner. You can practically smell the turkey, most stores have already decked the halls, and Mariah Carey is once again climbing the Billboard Hot 100 Songs chart, so if you don’t want to get caught gift shopping at the last minute, now’s the time to start looking.
As always, Uproxx Music has you covered for the music fan in your life, whether they love Drake, Taylor Swift, or Beyoncé. If the music lover in your life is a hardcore member of the Hive (the Beyhive, that is), then you’re in the right place.
Here’s our 2023 Beyoncé holiday gift guide, with five things you can get for the Hive member in your life.
A Bottle Of Beyoncé’s New Perfume
Let’s start with the obvious: a bottle of Beyoncé’s new fragrance, Cé Noir, which you can likely still get shipped before the holidays. Containing notes of clementine, honey, rose, and jasmine, perfume retails for $160 for 1.7 oz. What better way to celebrate a Beyoncé holiday than smelling like her?
You can order a bottle here.
The Renaissance Vinyl Box Set
Of course, any music lover would enjoy having their favorite album in the highest-fidelity format available. The Deluxe Edition LP comes in a handsome box that folds out and includes massive, exclusive posters. You can grab a set for a little under $50, making it just about the least expensive thing on this list (but if you really want to save money on a legacy format, there’s also a CD set).
Renaissance vinyl is available here.
Tickets To See Beyoncé’s Renaissance Movie
Renaissance: A Film By Beyoncé is coming to theaters on December 1, giving fans who missed out on her Renaissance World Tour a chance to capture at least some of the energy of her live performances or fans who did see it to relive their night on the town. It’s also rumored to provide the long sought-after “visuals” fans have been clamoring for since the album’s release.
You can get tickets here.
A Pair Of “Cozy” Renaissance-Themed Sweats From Amazon
Believe it or not, much of Beyoncé’s coveted Renaissance merch collection with Amazon is still available for purchase. I can tell you from personal experience that the sweatpants are warm and comfy and the T-shirts are eye-catching complements to any ensemble. Unfortunately, the “Cozy” rugs are all sold out, but it’s probably still worth checking out the remaining options, which you can do here.
A Piece From Beyonce’s Discontinued Ivy Park Collection
Speaking of sold-out, the odds that your favorite Beyoncé fan is getting their hands on the final Ivy Park drop are effectively nil, but going the extra mile for a loved one is what the holidays are for, right? Most of the collection is available on resale sites like StockX and shockingly, the markups are almost reasonable. If your Beyoncé fan missed out on a drop and gave up hope of grabbing their favorite piece, getting it for them could really put a smile on their face.
Check out StockX’s Ivy Park offerings here.
The 2022 Holiday Gift Guide For Vinyl Lovers
There aren’t many drawbacks when it comes to vinyl, but here’s one that’s a perpetual elephant in the room: it sure can get expensive. So, if you have a vinyl collector in your life who could use a fancy new record and you want to save them the stress of selling a kidney to pay for it, why not get them a slick new LP for their library this holiday season?
In terms of where to start your hunt, we’ve done some legwork for you. A lot of fantastic new vinyl releases dropped this year (which we keep up with in our monthly Best Vinyl Releases round-up, by the way) and we’ve collected a few of our favorites here. These picks span genres, price points, and formats, so no matter who it is you’re shopping for, the following list should at least point you in the right direction.
Taylor Swift — Midnights
Price: $29.99
Midnights is perhaps the biggest album of the year, and as always, Taylor Swift came through with the merch. Her webstore has four differently colored versions of the album on vinyl, too. If you want to dig deep into your pockets and buy all of them, the four editions can be placed together and form a clock face on their back sides.
Get it here.
Blondie: Against The Odds 1974-1982 Vinyl Box Set
Price: $400
If your vinyl library doesn’t have any Blondie in it, this box set is probably the best possible place to start your collection off right. It has the band’s first six albums — Blondie, Plastic Letters, Parallel Lines, Eat To The Beat, Autoamerican, and The Hunter — as well as four additional LPs that feature outakes, B-sides, and other exclusive rarities that add up to 124 total studio tracks.
Get it here.
Lizzo — Special
Price: $24.98
One of the year’s most colorful albums has gotten a decidedly less vibrant vinyl release. It’s a beauty, though, as this edition of Special is pressed on silver vinyl, and if it piques your interest, you ought to act fast: It’s exclusive to Lizzo’s web store and only 7,000 copies are set to be sold.
Get it here.
Harry Styles — Harry’s House
Price: $39.98
It could be argued that Harry Styles had a bigger year than anybody else in music, with “As It Was” spending 15 weeks at No. 1 on the Hot 100, making it one of the longest-running chart-toppers ever. With that in mind, Harry’s House is a definite vinyl buy, especially if you opt for one of the exclusive colors (orange and seaglass green) available in his webstore.
Get it here.
The Beatles — Revolver (Reissue)
Price: $29.99 – $199.98
A Beatles vinyl reissue isn’t exactly a hard sell, especially when it comes to this new release of Revolver. This version features newly mixed audio available in mono, stereo, and Dolby Atmos iterations, and the Super Deluxe edition even comes with a 100-page hardbound book. It’s a must-own for any Beatles fan, and probably any music fan, too.
Get it here.
Alex G — God Save The Animals
Price: $22
Uproxx’s Ian Cohen previously declared that God Save The Animals, the new Alex G album, is the artist’s best. He wrote in part, “Folky Alex G, abstract Alex G, slowcore Alex G, rawk Alex G, it’s all here, but God Save The Animals manages to circle back to his origins placing the vocals higher than they’d ever been since Race or Rules.”
Get it here.
The War On Drugs — I Don’t Live Here Anymore (Limited-Edition Deluxe Box Set)
Price: $69.98
It’s been over a year since The War On Drugs dropped their latest album, 2021’s I Don’t Live Here Anymore. To mark the occasion, they have a limited-edition deluxe box set available now, which includes unreleased tunes “Oceans Of Darkness” and “Slow Ghost” on a 7-inch. They’ve even gone through the trouble of making an unboxing video for the release, so check that out above for more details about what’s included in the expansive set.
Get it here.
Steve Lacy — Gemini Rights
Price: $22.99
Steve Lacy was perhaps the year’s biggest breakout star thanks to his No. 1 hit “Bad Habit,” and furthermore, Gemini Rights was one of 2022’s best-received albums. The soulful, psychedelic R&B sounds of the LP are begging to be played via turntable, so you can’t go wrong adding this one to the collection.
Get it here.
Paul McCartney — McCartney I II III Box Set
Price: $89.98
Super young Paul McCartney fans might know the Beatles leader best by his latest solo album, 2020’s McCartney III (or perhaps the next year’s McCartney III Imagined project featuring contemporary artists). Well, as the title suggests, it’s part of a trilogy of albums, which have now been collected in a new box set. The vinyl edition includes special photo prints as well as notes about each album from McCartney himself.
Get it here.
The Weeknd — Dawn FM
Price: $39.99
The Weeknd had one of the year’s biggest albums with Dawn FM, and now fans can secure their own uncommon piece of it: The album has gotten an exclusive vinyl edition that’s only available at Target and features alternative artwork and silver translucent vinyl.
Get it here.
ABBA — Vinyl Album Box Set
Price: $249.98
ABBA (who somehow only just picked up their first-ever Grammy nomination, by the way) have a storied discography and now you can own it all thanks to a new box set. It features each of the band’s nine albums — including their latest, last year’s comeback LP Voyage — along with ABBA Tracks, which includes non-album singles and B-sides.
Get it here.
Yusuf/Cat Stevens — Harold And Maude (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
Price: $35.98
Harold And Maude has become one of the defining films of its era, and Yusuf/Cat Stevens played a part in that with his soundtrack. That first came out 50 years ago, and now this vinyl reissue of it combines Stevens’ songs with dialogue from the film for the first time.
Get it here.
Big Thief — Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe In You
Price: $30
Not only is the latest Big Thief album a killer listen, but this particular vinyl edition of it is sustainably produced. The jacket is printed on 100-percent recycled board, while the two LPs are produced from recycled materials (which means any given individual record won’t look exactly like the one in the photo above, so it’s a responsible way to give a truly unique gift).
Get it here.
PJ Harvey reissues
Price: varies
For months now, PJ Harvey’s entire discography has been getting the vinyl reissue treatment, so there are options here. A particularly compelling one is the 6-LP B-Sides, Demos & Rarities set, with features 59 tracks, most of which are unavailable on other formats and 14 of which were previously unreleased.
Get it here.
Roxy Music reissues
Price: varies
Roxy Music have been riding the same wave as PJ Harvey this year, as they too have given all eight of their albums fresh vinyl pressings. This is the best these classic LPs ever sounded, too, as they were all remastered at half speed and are packaged with revised artwork with a glossy laminated finish.
Get it here.
Beyoncé — Renaissance
Price: $44.98
It’s Beyoncé. On vinyl. This one isn’t really a tough sell. Renaissance was one of the year’s most anticipated albums, “Break My Soul” was a hit, and some (like Questlove) are already calling the release a classic. So, if it’s not already in the collection, it ought to be.
Get it here.
Alvvays — Blue Rev
Price: $27
Speaking of anticipated albums, Blue Rev was the Canadian group’s first album since 2017 and it’s perhaps the most critically acclaimed release of their career. Aside from the bold blue pressing shown above, there’s also a slick translucent edition that’s limited to just 4,000 copies that’s another appealing option.
Get it here.
Vinyl Me, Please
Price: varies
Time and time again, Vinyl Me, Please comes through when it comes to exclusive, appealing vinyl pressings. Pictured above is a gorgeous reissue of Interpol’s Turn On The Bright Lights (grab it here if that’s what you want), but their entire inventory is worth perusing to find the right album for your giftee. They also offer different options for gift memberships, so sending a loved one on that journey could be the way to go and the gift that keeps on giving.
Get it here.
Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.
The 2022 Holiday Gift Guide For Music Lovers
Well, we’re in the home stretch: the winter holidays are now a matter of weeks away. Hopefully, you’ve done some exemplary planning and all your gift-buying has been done for months now. If that’s not the case, no need to worry: We got you covered.
If there are any music fans in your life whose names haven’t yet been crossed off your shopping list, our rundown of gift ideas is a strong place to start. Whether they could use some new headphones, if they’re more of a reader, or if something offbeat would perk their ears up, there’s bound to be at least one winning option here.
So, let’s get into it.
Grateful Dead Dancing Care Bears Little Playmate 7 Qt Cooler
In terms of animals, this season is all about reindeer, but now’s a great time to give bears a look, because two of the most iconic ones ever have come together for a collaboration: the Care Bears and the Grateful Dead bears. They’ve united under the Igloo banner for a cooler that’s good for holding 7 quarts (or up to nine cans) and comes in a lovely pink color.
Get it here.
Adidas RPT-02 SOL Headphones
There are almost too many options when it comes to headphones, but this offering from Adidas is particularly compelling, especially for eco-conscious consumers. In addition to sounding great and being sweat- and splash-proof, the RPT-02 SOL headphones are actually powered by light and built in part from 87 percent recycled plastics.
Get it here.
Metallica x Stranger Things Merch
Metallica had one of 2022’s biggest musical moments thanks to a memorable placement in Stranger Things, and now fans who want to spend a bit more time in Hawkins can. The band and Netflix teamed up for some exclusive merch based on the show and the band, including a version of the now-iconic Hellfire Club shirt that’s been given a taste of Metallica.
Get it here.
Skullcandy Push Active True Wireless Earbuds
Skullcandy has become an industry leader in headphones and they sure have packed a lot of features into their new earbuds. Aside from the sound and build quality customers have come to expect, the Skull-iQ Smart Feature Technology inside offers hands-free voice control, making these a supreme pick for the more active among us. If you tend to misplace things, Skullcandy thought of that, too, as they have Tile technology built in.
Get it here.
Cameo
Cameo has changed the game when it comes to giving everyday folks access to famous people. There is a rich roster of musicians on the platform, too, so if somebody in your life would appreciate a personalized video message from a musical favorite, options include Wayne Coyne of Flaming Lips, Kenny G, Bootsy Collins, Royce Da 5’9″, Gata, Alice Cooper, Dave Mustaine, Lupe Fiasco, and almost countless others.
Get it here.
Rolling Stones 60th Anniversary Collections
Soon, there will be no doubt about what luggage on the airport carousel is yours. That is, if you get an item or two from the new Rolling Stones anniversary collection, which has their iconic mouth logo on everything from rolling luggage to duffel bags to backpacks, all of which will bring a distinct aesthetic to travel adventures.
Loop Experience Earplugs
If the constant flow of stories about musicians losing their hearing hasn’t made this clear: It’s important to protect your ears at concerts (and other loud environments). Ear plugs are a concert/festival must-have and Loop earplugs offer a volume reduction of 18 decibels while keeping the sound natural. So, if you or a loved one don’t already have a hearing protection solution, this is your sign to get one (specifically, this one).
Get it here.
Ultimate Ears UE Drops
There are almost as many earbud/headphone manufacturers out there as there are songs to listen to through their products. When it comes to high-end choices, though, Ultimate Ears has an offering worth considering. The UE Drops are about as bespoke as you can get, too: The buying process includes taking a custom impression of your ear, meaning the earbuds you end up with should fit better than any pair you’ve ever worn before.
Get it here.
33 1/3: Kendrick Lamar’s To Pimp A Butterfly book
The esteemed 33 1/3 series has been pumping out high-quality and super-focused books about classic albums for years now. This year, author Sequoia Maner took on Kendrick Lamar’s iconic album To Pimp A Butterfly, making this the perfect opportunity to get granular and learn about one of this era’s defining releases. And if that one doesn’t pique your interest, maybe one of the other books from this series will, which range from Cat Power to Duran Duran.
Get it here.
“Beats x Kim” Beats Fit Pro Earbuds
Beats is both one of the trendiest and most respected brand in headphones, and this year, they teamed up with Kim Kardashian for a line of flesh-colored earbuds that look wonderfully understated. Celebrity partnership aside, these have three listening modes (Active Noise Cancelling, Transparency Mode, and Adaptive EQ) and the Apple H1 chip, which allows for “automatic switching, audio sharing (with another pair of Beats headphones or Apple AirPods), and ‘Hey Siri.’”
Get it here.
Meta Quest 2 and Beat Saber
If you haven’t gotten on board yet, here’s some news: VR is here. Furthermore, Beat Saber is one of the most engaging music experiences on the platform and the game introduces new content all the time: In just the past few months, song packs from The Weeknd and Lizzo were added, bringing some of today’s biggest bops to the saber-swinging realm.
Get it here.
Snoop Doggie Doggs
It’s hard to believe this wasn’t already a thing, but in November, Snoop Dogg finally introduced a line of dog products, Snoop Doggie Doggs. The focus here is dog clothes, including jerseys, hoodies, shirts, bandanas, collars, harnesses, leashes, and tricked-out water/food bowls. There’s even a boom box chew toy that plays Snoop’s signature “bow wow wow, yippie yo, yippie yay” line from his 1993 classic “Who Am I (What’s My Name)?.”
Get it here.
A Creative’s Guide To Living An Artistic Life: Words + Music In 6 Seconds Deck
As a creative person, ruts happen. Grammy-winning artist/songwriter/producer Dan Wilson (of Semisonic) has something to help with those trying times, though: a 75-card deck of cards that feature advice about creativity, collaborating, and more. If an artist finds themselves stuck, they can pick a random card or flip through the deck, letting the wisdom contained within start them on the path to their next hit.
Get it here.
Harry Styles — Harry’s House Vinyl
It could be argued that Harry Styles had a bigger year than anybody else in music, with “As It Was” spending 15 weeks at No. 1 on the Hot 100, making it one of the longest-running chart-toppers ever. With that in mind, Harry’s House is a definite vinyl buy, especially if you opt for one of the exclusive colors (orange and seaglass green) available on his webstore.
Get it here.
For The Birds: The Birdsong Project
The Birdsong Project is massive — For The Birds: The Birdsong Project is a five-volume benefit compilation consisting of 242 tracks by everybody from Jeff Tweedy to Damon Albarn to Tilda Swinton. This literally is for the birds, by the way, as the project benefits the National Audubon Society.
Get it here.
Blondie: Against The Odds 1974-1982 Vinyl Box Set
If your vinyl library doesn’t have any Blondie in it, this box set is probably the best possible place to start your collection off right. It has the band’s first six albums — Blondie, Plastic Letters, Parallel Lines, Eat To The Beat, Autoamerican, and The Hunter — as well as four additional LPs that feature outakes, B-sides, and other exclusive rarities that add up to 124 total studio tracks.
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Eilish No. 2 Eau de Parfum
Billie Eilish has been in the perfume game for a bit now, and her releases stand out due to the eye-catching bust container they come in. As for her latest fragrance, it’s described, “An alluring aroma which opens with the freshness of Italian bergamot and apple blossom. It flows into a woody, earthy spiciness of papyrus and black pepper with a contrast of wild wet poppy flowers. A base of woody palo santo and ebony are expertly wrapped in a metallic, nuanced veil of skin musk.”
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Vinyl Me, Please
Time and time again, Vinyl Me, Please comes through when it comes to exclusive, appealing vinyl pressings. Pictured above is a gorgeous reissue of Interpol’s Turn On The Bright Lights (grab it here if that’s what you want), but their entire inventory is worth perusing to find the right album for your giftee. They also offer different options for gift memberships, so sending a loved one on that journey could be the way to go and the gift that keeps on giving.
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Questlove — Music Is History book
Questlove is an established author at this point, and while The Roots drummer’s Music Is History book actually came out in 2021, it received some attention recently when the audiobook version earned a 2023 Grammy nomination in the Best Audio Book, Narration, And Storytelling Recording category. As for what the book’s about, it serves as a fascinating look at both Questlove’s encyclopedic mind and music history more broadly, via an exploration of one track per year from 1971 to 2021.
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