GloRilla is back, this time with a big band feel. The Memphis firestarter takes inspiration from a Black cinematic classic, Drumline in the video for her comeback track, “March.” In it, we see Glo directing a marching band on the football field as the drum major, dancing with the majorettes, and watching a fistfight break out when things get disrespectful.
“March” is GloRilla’s first new single since wrapping up the rollout of her debut album, Glorious, with the “Raind Down On Me” video in June. She said in April that she was already working on her sophomore release, so it’s possible that “March” is the beginning of the rollout for that.
Since June, Glo has been out of the spotlight, although she did pop out during the MTV VMAs’ celebration of Busta Rhymes for the Vanguard Award, performing alongside the rap legend as he played a medley of his many, many hits. She also appeared on Summer Walker’s new album, Finally Over It, alongside Sexyy Red and Monaleo on the song “Baller.”
Finally, Glo racked up a trio of Grammy nominations for the upcoming ceremony, earning nods for Best Rap Album for Glorious, Best Rap Song for “TGIF,” and Best Rap Song for her feature on Tyler, The Creator’s “Sticky.” GloRilla had an impressive 2025, but her 2026 is already looking like a lock to top it.
It’s been a banner year at the movies, and as you’ll discover below, also a great year for physical media at home. Whether you are looking for 4Ks for the movie fan in your life or books to dig deeper into your favorite cultural artifacts, we’ve got you covered. We’ve got box sets, collectors’ editions, and some straight-ahead movies for the sake of being good movies. Regardless of what you find below, they’re sure to please whoever will be receiving them. Happy holidays and see you at the movies.
The Wes Anderson Archive
Critereon
Wes Anderson’s first ten films have been collected in a beautiful 4K/Blu-Ray combo box by the Criterion Collection, and if you’d like to hear me go long about it, you can right here. But I’ll also go short on it: This is a fantastic splurge gift for the film lover in your life. The movies are transformational, showcasing a singular artist who has been dazzling the cinema for 30 years. Plus, it looks awesome on a shelf, whether housed in its burlap set or unboxed and displayed as library book cases.
I’m welcoming my first child in the next month, so a big theme of my recent movie watching has been to curate some family-friendly fare for her formative years. Criterion added Flow pretty quickly into their collection because it’s among the most exciting animated family movies to emerge in recent years. It’s one of the only animated films that Criterion has put out, with its dialogue-less action unveiling a story that hits at both environmental concerns and the importance of community. Gints Zilbalodis packs each frame with the warmth of PS gaming, while Criterion loads the disc with special features and, maybe most notably, adds in Zilbalodis’s debut feature, Away, too.
It might be a minute until my daughter is able to sit and actually watch a film. So, in the interim, there’s also the official picture book adaptation of Flow. Put out by HarperCollins, this book is loaded with the imagery that earned Zilbalodis both an Academy Award and a Golden Globe for Best Animated Picture. Few things become instant classics quite like Flow, so it’s an ideal item to introduce into your family for the holidays.
William Friedkin’s 1977 classic was previously a huge blind spot for me before I saw it in a theater last year. And while the movie leapt off the big screen on that initial viewing, I also longed to watch at home with closed captioning on to be able to pick up all the dialogue I missed. I’m not going to argue home is better than a theater, but that the experiences complement each other. With this Criterion release, Tangerine Dream’s score sounds incredible in this new 4K restoration, while the discs contain tons of special features, including an essay from Justin Chang, the 2018 documentary Friedkin Uncut, and several archival interviews.
Speaking of blind spots, I had also previously not seen Yorgos Lanthimos’ 2009 Greek film, which was a huge international breakthrough for him as it was nominated for the Best Foreign Language Film Oscar. Of course, Yorgos has had plenty of success since, with Poor Things, Bugonia, The Lobster, and many more finding global audiences. This HDR/Dolby Vision Master was supervised by Lanthimos himself and included a theatrical re-release. But for those of us that missed it in theaters, owning these discs that also include deleted scenes and multiple commentary tracks is a great way to experience the film for the first time, or to revisit the classic.
Back To The Future Trilogy: 40th Anniversary Edition
Universal
Definitely not a blind spot, as the Back To The Future films are firmly embedded in the cultural zeitgeist. There’s been cartoons and Broadway shows, and every millennial has fantasized at some point to ride their own hoverboard. For its 40th anniversary, Universal has collected all three of the films in a handy 4K/Blu-Ray box set that spans eight discs. You get 9 hours of bonus features in the set, including a very cool featurette that goes back to iconic filming locations from the film. Plus, the movie looks better than it ever has in the 4K format. Revisit these timeless films that are ready for a new generation of fans.
You might notice as this list goes on that we’ve tried to marry some older films with contemporary relevance. That’s definitely true of The Place Beyond The Pines, which Shout! Factory released on 4K earlier this year, approved by director Derek Cianfrance. Cianfrance has been of note this year as his latest film, Roofman, was enjoyed by many and served as a major tonal departure from the very serious fare he’d made previously. This film is also notable in that it made Ryan Gosling and Eva Mendes a couple. Carrying the tag of a “Shout Select,” this is a film that is probably underseen and definitely deserves wider recognition. A great gift for your film-loving friend who loves to dig a bit deeper.
There’s no need to argue for Sinners‘ relevance this year, as few (if any) films captured the cultural attention quite like it. Ryan Coogler has made a classic of both genre filmmaking and filmmaking in general, and with award season coming up, its legacy will likely be cemented. So, of course it is a great gift for the film lover in your life. This 4K release looks stunning, as so much of the movie was made to be seen in the best formats possible. There are several featurettes on here focusing on the making of the film and its exceptional music, while also including some deleted scenes. But this is also just an essential own for the movie itself.
This is a bit more regional, but New York City is the biggest city in the US, so here’s to hoping you live near there. The Tribeca Film Festival began in 2002 under the wing of Robert De Niro (among others) and has become a cultural institution. But while we think of it as, well, a festival, they run events all year for fans of culture. In 2024 alone, members had the opportunity to see the US premiere of The Alto Nights with Robert De Niro and Barry Levinson, screen FX’s Dying For Sex with Michelle Williams and Jenny Slate, attend a special screening of the underrated The History Of Sound from Mubi, and have a night devoted to Prime Video’s John Candy: I Like Me followed by a conversation with Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman, along with 30-ish other events. We don’t know what they have in store for 2025, but at $100 for the one-year membership, it is worth a go.
If you, like I do, listen to the Blank Check Podcast, you’ve been spending the year with the Coen Brothers. Which is a pretty great place to spend time! It has given me an even greater appreciation for the work of Roger Deakins, considered by many to be the best cinematographer alive. But even if you aren’t overly familiar, this book is an ideal, giftable coffee-table-style book where Deakins tells (and shows) the story of his life through his own work. Bask in the glory of his sketches and process and then see finished images from films like The Shawshank Redemption, Skyfall, Fargo, Blade Runner 2049, The Big Lebowski, 1917, and No Country For Old Men. Also, special shout-out to one of my favorite, stunning films, The Assassination Of Jesse James By The Coward Robert Ford. It’s a pretty awesome collection, I kind of want to buy one for all my friends.
If you didn’t get a chance to see The Sound Of Music when it returned to theaters with a 4K restoration for its 60th anniversary, don’t worry, because Disney has a great physical release for it. From the songs that are deeply ingrained in our culture to the storyline that sadly remains as relevant today as ever, this is simply one of the best movies ever made. The set also includes a singalong version so you can pretend you’re at the yearly showcase at the Hollywood Bowl. As someone about to become a father, I couldn’t be more excited to watch this with my family on a yearly basis for the rest of our lives. I expect whoever you buy this for will feel similarly.
This might be a landmark year for Adam Sandler, as he’s once again getting genuine Oscar buzz, this time for his turn as a manager in Jay Kelly. We’ve been through this many times before with The Sandman, so we’ll get excited if it happens. But regardless of where his career has ended up, let’s never forget how it started, with these two comedy masterpieces. Kino Lorber recently released 4Ks of both films, which feature audio commentaries, deleted scenes, and visuals taken directly from the original negatives.
It’s been a little while since we’ve been able to declare it Sam Raimi season, but early 2026 is shaping up to be exactly that. Send Help, his latest horror film, is due on January 30th, so it is a great time to revisit and/or gift his previous standalone horror film, the fantastic Drag Me To Hell. Shout! Factory put out a wonderful collector’s edition 4K of the film with Raimi personally approving the scan, three versions of the film (4K, unrated Blu-Ray, theatrical Blu-Ray), interviews, a making-of doc, and much more. This film, like much of Raimi’s work, is an unqualified blast, and a great gift for the horror fan in your life.
Speaking of horror movies, 2025 was a banner year for the genre, with multiple instant classics coming into the world. And one of the most exciting was Weapons, Zach Cregger’s bonkers film about a classroom of missing children and the effect it has on a town. The 4K isn’t overloaded with special features, though there are a couple of featurettes with the filmmaker and cast to add to the experience. But if you want a gift that tells your family that you know ball, Weapons is a great choice.
Mutant has teamed up with Arrow Video for a new line of UHD Blu-Ray releases that they’re dubbing Mutant Mediabooks and they’re launching the line with the defining film of my 20s: Donnie Darko. It’s the film that really made Jake Gyllenhaal a thing, made us rethink The Smurfs, and gave a bump to Tears For Fears for a new generation. The release looks incredible in terms of packaging, and has both the theatrical and directors cut in 4K with director Richard Kelly supervising the transfers. There are commentaries that include both Gyllenhaal and Kevin Smith, plus contributions from the other stars like Drew Barrymore. This is one you want to jump on, though, as they’re limiting the run to 2,000 units. I’m only hitting the tip of the iceberg for how cool this one is.
Another anniversary that was celebrated with a theatrical release, now everyone can bring home the new restoration of Pride And Prejudice. Largely considered to be one of the best adaptations of Jane Austen’s work, this makes a great gift for the bookish movie fan in your life. The collector’s edition comes in a beautiful oversized box that contains a 42-page book and both 4K and Blu-Ray editions of the film, stuffed with special features and interviews. Of all the great gift ideas included in this guide, this is one of the best looking on a shelf.
Speaking of great gifts for the bookish, here is a book literally for the bookish. New York is home to many great locations for people who love books, and they are collected here. You get everything from the favorite haunts of writers to locations made famous within books. Perfect to plan for a trip, or to live vicariously from those who call the city their home.
It wouldn’t be a gift guide without at least one holiday classic. And, for my money, Elf might be the most iconic holiday movie released in this century. This new 4K version includes commentaries from both Will Ferrell and Jon Favreau, deleted scenes, a making of feature, some behind the scenes content with the stars, and much more. This is the kind of movie that your family will burn a hole through, and makes a great gift for comedy fans of all ages. Also, rest in peace James Caan.
While we’re on family-friendly fare, we gotta shout out this new anniversary edition of The Emperor’s New Groove. Admittedly, this era of Disney is a bit of a blind spot for me, but with a child on the way, these Disney animated classics are essential for the home. Sure, you’ll spend a lot of time on streaming services with your kids. But nothing quite takes the place of holding physical media in your hands, especially at a young age. There’s not much here in terms of special features, but this one is more about owning a great family movie that you won’t mind watching again and again.
Some movies get new physical releases every few years, but Dogma has been hard to find for years. For its 25th anniversary, the movie finally gets the 4K treatment for both a standard release and a very cool steelbook. There’s a great combination of new special features and legacy ones across the discs, including a physical media introduction with Kevin Smith and the featurette “Revelations: Making Dogma.” Kevin Smith has become so much more than just a filmmaker in the past 25 years, so much so that it’s hard to remember what a stranglehold he had on the culture with his first several films. They definitely don’t make them like this anymore, so revisit this great time in independent cinema history.
It’s wild to me that they’re actively making a new Spaceballs movie. I find this news wonderful, and hope Josh Gad does the film proud. That also makes it a perfect time to gift this classic spoof to the comedy fan in your life. Mel Brooks is delivering an endless barrage of laughter in this send up of Star Wars, featuring the likes of Bill Pullman, Joan Rivers, John Candy, and many more. There’s tons of additional content on top of the 4K transfer of the film from Kino Lorber, including a commentary from Brooks, “SPACEBALLS: The Documentary,” and, my favorite, bloopers.
Speaking of Star Wars, this is something a little different for fans of the franchise. Laurent Hopman and Renaud Roche have created a pretty special text here telling the story of George Lucas’ life and the creation of Star Wars, all in a lovely graphic novel format. Because Lucas’ work is so closely tied to a single entity, it is easy to forget that he ran with the likes of Francis Ford Coppola, Steven Spielberg, and Martin Scorsese. This is a behind-the-scenes story unlike you’ve seen before, and a great companion text for the Star Wars fan in your life.
Word came recently that there is a remake in the works of American Psycho. For my money, it feels a little less than necessary, as the Christian Bale-starring vehicle is a pretty excellent adaptation of the novel. It vaulted Bale to A-List stardom, and became an aughts-era staple of dorm rooms and, later, repertory screenings. Lionsgate Limited is releasing an excellent 4K collector’s edition of the film, which comes in a CD jewel case that really speaks to the time period of the film. There are several new featurettes for this release, and yes, plenty of fun cards (business cards, a Blockbuster card, a credit card) to add to the experience.
Another exciting physical release that began as a theatrical re-release. Perfect Blue is the first film from the late, great Satoshi Kon. He didn’t make many films (four total plus the series Paranoia Agent), but all are absolute bangers. This first film remains his best known, and Shout! Factory has put together a stunning collector’s edition of the film. This 4K includes 117 minutes of lectures from Kon subtitled in English for the first time, along with plenty of other goodies. This is an essential film for the anime fan in your life, and a fantastic gift for just about any film fan.
Steven and Ian begin with a quick tangent about the intersection of conservative newspaper columnists and music podcasts, and whether it will ever happen on Indiecast. They also do a Sportscast on the failing Philadelphia Eagles and Steven’s revived hatred of the Chicago Bears. Then they pivot to a conversation about year-end albums lists, and what they say about the prevailing trends of 2025. After that, they check out the just-announced Bonnaroo lineup and do a “yay or nay” on Nick Cave.
In Recommendation Corner, Ian talks about LA indie-sleazers The Hellp and Steven stumps for the Australian improv trio The Necks.
New episodes of Indiecast drop every Friday. Listen to Episode 268 here and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. You can submit questions for Steve and Ian at [email protected], and make sure to follow us on Instagram and X (formerly Twitter) for all the latest news. We also recently launched a visualizer for our favorite Indiecast moments. Check those out here.
Laufey is a contemporary holiday staple thanks to her annual drop of festive songs. This year, she delivered a rendition of “Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town” in a seasonally appropriate jazzy style. She has one again called upon Christmas traditions in a new video for the song shared today (December 4).
It’s presented in a stop-motion animation style, reminiscent of classic holiday specials like Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer. It’s adorable: Laufey stars alongside Mei Mei The Bunny as the pair enjoy the magical season in and around the house.
Watch the “Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town” video above and find Laufey’s upcoming tour dates below.
Laufey’s 2025 & 2026 Tour Dates
12/12/2025 — New York, NY @ iHeartRadio Jingle Ball
12/14/2025 — Boston, MA @ iHeartRadio Jingle Ball
12/15/2025 — Philadelphia, PA @ iHeartRadio Jingle Ball
12/16/2025 — Washington, D.C. @ iHeartRadio Jingle Ball
02/18/2026 — Zürich, Switzerland @ Hallenstadion
02/19/2026 — Düsseldorf, Germany @ Mitsubishi Electric Halle
02/22/2026 — Copenhagen, Denmark @ Royal Arena
02/24/2026 — Berlin, Germany @ Velodrom
02/26/2026 — Vienna, Austria @ Stadthalle
02/28/2026 — Brussels, Belgium @ ING Arena
03/01/2026 — Amsterdam, Netherlands @ Ziggo Dome
03/02/2026 — Paris, France @ Adidas Arena
03/04/2026 — Manchester, UK @ Co-op Live
03/06/2026 — Dublin, Ireland @ 3Arena
03/08/2026 — London, UK @ The O2
03/09/2026 — London, UK @ The O2
03/14/2026 — Kópavogur, Iceland @ Kórinn Arena
03/15/2026 — Kópavogur, Iceland @ Kórinn Arena
03/21/2026 — Lisbon, Portugal @ Coliseu dos Recreios
03/22/2026 — Barcelona, Spain @ Auditori Fòrum CCIB
04/12/2026 — Indio, CA @ Coachella Music and Arts Festival
04/19/2026 — Indio, CA @ Coachella Music and Arts Festival
If you’ve never watched an artist drive a car through a media studio, onto the stage, and instantly start performing, then this is for you. Coco Jones — Bel-Air star, R&B revivalist, and 2025 Grammy Award nominee — does all of the above for her UPROXX Visionaries performance of Why Not More? standout, “Thang 4 U.”
Pulling up on the FYI Campus in a head-turning Toyota Crown, Jones doesn’t just park in the lot; she drives through the office, right up to the UPROXX Studios XR Stage, hops out, and starts singing. Meanwhile, the XR does its thing, transforming her performance into a one-of-a-kind visual experience as it scans her movements, vocals, and the beat in real time, evolving based on what she does.
As a seasoned performer, Coco gives it plenty to work with, putting all her performance prowess — well-honed by time spent as a Disney staple, television star, and live entertainer since her childhood — to the task. And when all is said and done, what else is there to do but hop back in her car and drive off into the sunset? Actually, there’s a whole interview with UPROXX’s Chief Visionary Officer will.i.am, which you can check out soon.
Watch Coco Jones perform “Thang 4 U” For UPROXX Visionaries above.
It looks like we got two Lil Baby projects this year, after all. After the Atlanta rapper quietly canceled Dominique, the planned follow-up to his last album, WHAM, it looked like we might not get any more new music from Lil Baby for the year.
However, a week ago, Lil Baby announced The Leaks, a mixtape compiling “full versions of previously teased snippets and leaked songs that have circulated online over the years” spanning his career, after he teased a “WHAM Wednesdays” campaign of new songs every week for the remainder of the year. Following the release of “Try To Love” and “Real Sh*t,” among others, Lil Baby delivered on The Leaks, dropping the album just as the latest WHAM Wednesday came to a close, along with another new song, “Let’s Do It,” featuring Playboi Carti and Skooly.
The new song is paired with a simple video of the rappers recording and shooting the breeze in the studio and in a nightclub parking lot, while rapping verses in wildly different styles that sort of encompass the entire Atlanta scene at once. Playboi Carti trades in his signature squeak for the barrel-chested flow that often reminds fans of Future, while Skooly singsongs his verse. Lil Baby runs anchor, for a track that really shows a lot of range of a short runtime.
The Leaks also includes features from Bino Rideaux, G Herbo, Lil Yachty, LUCKI, Rylo Rodriguez, Veeze, and Young Thug. You can listen to it here, and find the tracklist below.
Lil Baby’s The Leaks Tracklist
01. “Mrs. Trendsetter”
02. “Guaranteed”
03. “Try To Love”
04. “Nasty Girl”
05. “Real Shit”
06. “Violation”
07. “Let’s Do It” feat. Playboi Carti, Skooly
08.”Forever Slime”
09. “Middle Of The Summer”
10. “What She Like”
11. “Get Along” feat. Lil Yachty, LUCKI, Veeze
12. “Superman” feat. Young Thug
13. “St Tropez” feat. Rylo Rodriguez, Bino Rideaux
14. “Otha Boy”
15. “All On Me” feat. G Herbo
Top Dawg Entertainment’s annual holiday concert has become a staple tradition in Los Angeles. Last year’s event brought out guests like Kendrick Lamar (who left the label to start his own imprint in 2023) and GloRilla (who was the traditional surprise guest).
The tradition continues Thursday, December 18, in Nickerson Gardens in Watts, with a lineup including the whole TDE roster: Ab-Soul, Doechii, Isaiah Rashad, Jay Rock, Lance Skiiiwalker, Ray Vaughn, Schoolboy Q, SiR, SZA, and Zacari. And, as usual, there’s a plethora of surprise guests, in addition to the surprise headliner. Last year, that number included many of the guests from Kendrick’s album GNX, but past pop-outs have included Big Sean, Rihanna, Travis Scott, and more.
The next day, December 19, Top Dawg will host its 12th annual toy giveaway in Nickerson, with toys donated by concert attendees as the price of admission. The event includes a job fair, barber services, youth sports, raffles, and photo services.
In 2024, more than 10,000 attendees donated over $750,000 worth of toys and clothing to Watts residents, along with charitable contributions by Wasserman, Live Nation, Amazon Music Rotation, Interscope Capitol Labels Group (ICL), RCA Records, The Los Angeles Rams, Converse, True Religion, Pro Club, The Shop Men’s Grooming, K-Swiss and more, according to a press release. You can find the flyer and admission info below.
TDE
EVENT DETAILS
Thursday, December 18th — Charitable Holiday Concert
Time: Gates open at 10:00AM PST
Location: 11251 Compton Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90059
Access to the concert entrance via 114th St and Success Ave; rideshare is strongly encouraged.
Entrance Fee: Donation Item (unwrapped toys, new clothing/shoes, or other charitable contributions)
Friday, December 19th — Community Giveback
Time: 11:00AM- 4:00PM PST
Location: 11251 Compton Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90059
Rosalía has one of 2025’s defining projects with her new album Lux; Uproxx’s Steven Hyden thinks it’ll end up being most critics’ pick for the year’s best album. Fans will soon be able to see it on stage, too: Today (December 4), Rosalía announced the Lux Tour.
The run kicks off in March 2026 and runs through to September. It’s truly a world tour: Along the way, it’ll stop in the US, Canada, Mexico, France, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, the United Kingdom, Colombia, Chile, Argentina, and Brazil.
There’s an American Express pre-sale for card members for select North American shows, starting December 9 at 9 a.m. local time. More information can be found here. The general on-sale begins December 11 via Rosalía’s website.
Check out the tour dates below.
Rosalía’s 2026 Tour Dates: Lux Tour
03/16/2026 — Lyon, FR @ LDLC Arena
03/18/2026 — Paris, FR @ Accor Arena
03/20/2026 — Paris, FR @ Accor Arena
03/22/2026 — Zurich, CH @ Hallenstadion
03/25/2026 — Milan, IT @ Unipol Forum
03/30/2026 — Madrid, ES @ Movistar Arena
04/01/2026 — Madrid, ES @ Movistar Arena
04/03/2026 — Madrid, ES @ Movistar Arena
04/04/2026 — Madrid, ES @ Movistar Arena
04/08/2026 — Lisbon, PT @ MEO Arena
04/09/2026 — Lisbon, PT @ MEO Arena
04/13/2026 — Barcelona, ES @ Palau Sant Jordi
04/15/2026 — Barcelona, ES @ Palau Sant Jordi
04/17/2026 — Barcelona, ES @ Palau Sant Jordi
04/18/2026 — Barcelona, ES @ Palau Sant Jordi
04/22/2026 — Amsterdam, NL @ Ziggo Dome
04/27/2026 — Antwerp, BE @ AFAS Dome
04/29/2026 — Cologne, DE @ Lanxess Arena
05/01/2026 — Berlin, DE @ Uber Arena
05/05/2026 — London, UK @ The O2
06/04/2026 — Miami, FL @ Kaseya Center
06/08/2026 — Orlando, FL @ Kia Center
06/11/2026 — Boston, MA @ TD Garden
06/13/2026 — Toronto, ON @ Scotiabank Arena
06/16/2026 — New York, NY @ Madison Square Garden
06/20/2026 — Chicago, IL @ United Center
06/23/2026 — Houston, TX @ Toyota Center
06/27/2026 — Las Vegas, NV @ T-Mobile Arena
06/29/2026 — Los Angeles, CA @ Kia Forum
07/03/2026 — San Diego, CA @ Pechanga Arena
07/06/2026 — Oakland, CA @ Oakland Arena
07/16/2026 — Bogotá, CO @ Movistar Arena
07/24/2026 — Santiago, CL @ Movistar Arena
07/25/2026 — Santiago, CL @ Movistar Arena
08/01/2026 — Buenos Aires, AR @ Movistar Arena
08/02/2026 — Buenos Aires, AR @ Movistar Arena
08/10/2026 — Rio de Janeiro, BR @ Farmasi Arena
08/15/2026 — Guadalajara, MX @ Arena VFG
08/19/2026 — Monterrey, MX @ Arena Monterrey
08/24/2026 — Mexico City, MX @ Palacio de los Deportes
08/26/2026 — Mexico City, MX @ Palacio de los Deportes
09/03/2026 — San Juan, PR @ Coliseo de Puerto Rico
Lux is out now via Columbia. Find more information here.
Music is the blood that pumps in Uproxx’s veins. It’s the reason we do what we do, the North Star that guides our entire worldview. And, if you’re an active reader of Uproxx or viewer of our content, you likely feel the same way. So, we’ve collected some of the best items someone like you, or us, would love to receive this year for the holidays. Take a look at our picks below, and a happy New Year to you and yours.
King Of All The Land: Mitski by Ebru Yildiz
Ebru Yildiz
Even if you don’t know the name Ebru Yildiz, you’ve undoubtedly seen her photos. She takes promo shots and official art of everyone from Interpol to Neko Case, and has even been featured on this very website. Her work is distinctive, playing with texture, shadow, and often incorporating black-and-white visuals for a stunning, dramatic effect.
Maybe her best-known work is a long-running collaboration with Mitski. Mitski writes the foreword for the collection, which features — clears throat — 109 duotone images presented across 144 pages plus six multi-page gatefolds and a hardbound cloth cover with two tip-in images and debossed type with clear foil. Mitski’s music is so singular and her public image is so adventurous that it makes Yildiz the perfect visual storyteller to bring her image to life, resulting in more than a photodocument, but rather an essential complement to Mitski’s beloved recorded music.
If you’ve been to a concert in the last several years, you’ve likely been through this process: go to the venue’s website, search for the specifics of what kind of bag you can bring in, and then hope that one of your own purses or clutches fits the bill. Hopefully, you don’t arrive and have to take your bag back to the car when rejected by security.
Show Tote is a line of bags created by a pair of concert enthusiasts. The idea is pretty straightforward — stylish bags in a compact size, including clear options to match venue mandates. There’s no reason that going to a concert means having to carry an ugly bag. To try it out, we took “The Handle” in rock n roll crinkle to a recent concert in Los Angeles and my wife was able to feel ready for the occasion with her ensemble and not have to worry about complying with hard-to-master venue specifications. They have a wide line of options sure to fit your own specific aesthetic. Show Tote even has a smart event filter, so you can plug in your venue/event to instantly see which bags are allowed.
Imagine the coolest estate sale ever or an antique store curated by artists. You’ll be close to understanding Ghostnote, but still not quite. Ghostnote is a marketplace where music fans can purchase their own bit of musical history. As the company says, “Each item on Ghostnote is a genuine artifact from an artist’s creative world — something truly one-of-a-kind that was written, played, drawn, or worn during the act of creation.”
If you’ve read our gift guides in the past, you are likely familiar with Soundboks, the giant portable speaker to end all bluetooth speakers. I’ve used it to play music, as well as to screen movies, and it’s been a hit every time.
This year, they introduced a new product: Lightboks. You might have guessed what it is by the name, but Lightboks is anything but a boring old party light. It reacts to the music being played to elevate a karaoke night, a dance party, or just a vibey night with a special someone. Pair it with a Soundboks or let it just exist on its own with whatever sound system you already have. Either way, this is an ideal gift for the music lover in your life.
What Do You Do When You’re Lonesome — The Authorized Biography Of Justin Townes Earle by Jonathan Bernstein
Hachette
Justin Townes Earle wasn’t the biggest artist or the most revered at the time of his passing in 2020 at the young age of 38, but the outpouring of grief and respect from the music community spoke volumes to how he was loved. The son of Steve Earle, the hope was that his story would mirror his father’s, a triumph of exercising demons. But that was not the case, and Rolling Stone editor Jonathan Bernstein tells the story of Earle with the full cooperation of his estate. The resulting book is an ideal gift for the alt-country fan in your life, preserving the legacy of a young artist who hardly had time to build one, but did so nonetheless.
The Guts era might have ended for Olivia Rodrigo, but it can live forever on your bookshelf with the Guts World Tour book. Commemorating one of the most iconic touring runs in recent memory, this collection is packed with photos from Paula Busnovetsky, Miles Leavitt, Jesse DeFlorio, Rahul Bhatt, and Jess Gleeson across 136 pages. Everything about this offering is well-considered, from the die-cut slipcase to the fold-out poster, trading cards and sticker sheets. Rodrigo has always treated her young fans with the care they deserve, and this book is an ideal gift that truly adds to the relationship between the artist and her fans.
Simon Raymonde — In One Ear: Cocteau Twins, Ivor And Me
Bonnier Books Ltd
Simon Raymonde might be best known as part of the Cocteau Twins, one of the most iconic and resonant groups of the ’80s and ’90s. In addition, he also led the group This Mortal Coil and started the record label Bella Union, which released music from the likes of Beach House, Dirty Three, and countless others. Needless to say, his experience in the music industry has led to quite an interesting life story, and his recent autobiography shares those stories with the world. An ideal gift for the indie music fan in your life, or anyone that enjoys memoirs from a life as a creative.
We’d be remiss not to mention Bandcamp in any holiday gift guide. The platform promises more than 80 percent of profit from merch sales goes directly into the artist’s pocket, which is about as good as it gets if supporting artists is a key driver in your music-related shopping. There are countless items to get on Bandcamp, from vinyl to sweaters to anything in between. We love this t-shirt featuring artwork by illustrator Joey Yu that was used to launch Bandcamp Clubs. The shirt’s art represents Bandcamp’s mission to make music discovery human, as well as how music provides a connective tissue to other people.
Beats headphones is no stranger to collabs, but this year’s must-buy is a release with Blackpink star Jennie. But it is important to note that this release is more a nod to her solo era for the quite-good record Ruby. The headphones feature a matte red base, “R” and “J” details (for Ruby and Jennie, obvs), and an embellished UltraPlush ear cushion with symbols inspired by the megastar. Even the packaging is thoughtful and fan-focused, while the headphones are finished with an attachable red ribbon tied into a bow. Not to mention the fact that they’re still Beats, which mean industry-best sounds and functionality. The bad news is that these are currently sold out, but the good news is that a little digging can reveal secondary market availability, without too much of a markup in price.
When he’s not playing drums for The Black Keys, Patrick Carney has another endeavor that’s been occupying his time: Dude. Your Team Socks. The brand has a range of great-looking styles, but their latest is a collaboration with American Trench. The latter brand is rooted in American tradition, made fully in the USA using homegrown fabric. This makes for an ideal marriage in the form of the Retro Sock, with its classic striped look and breathable, cushioned fit. Coming in royal, pink, green, and red, these socks are a useful holiday gift with a cool music connection.
An ultimate Beatles gift turns 25 this year, and it’s ready to delight a new generation. The Beatles Anthology comes as a 25th anniversary paperback, featuring interviews with Paul, George, and Ringo made specifically for the book and archival interviews with John to flesh out the content. The book notably contains 1,300 images and photographs from the band’s personal archives, giving the most complete and personal account of their history. With a new docuseries and a re-release of the Beatles Anthology album, it truly is Beatles season.
Whether you have just a few bucks or several grand, Guitar Center remains a one-stop shop for holiday music gifting. And while the shop is known for their musical instruments, we wanted to highlight a couple of other items that require less of an investment.
We love the Hello Kitty x Fender t-shirt collab seen above. The iconic character can be seen holding the legendary guitar in a small front logo while the back gives a large-font reveal of the collab. This comes from a greater collection that features everything from guitar straps to fuzz pedals. But if you’re looking for something more practical, we recommend the record-cleaning kit from Audio-Technica. Audio-Technica is known for their record players, but most people don’t give their vinyl collection proper care, so this is a thoughtful item that people might not know they need.
At Uproxx, we spend a lot of time at music festivals. And if you are a music fan under 30, chances are that you do, too. And while we can recommend tons of items that make fest life better, none might be more important than what you put on your feet. Except for sunscreen.
JD Sports has tons of options, but we really love the New Balance 1000s for a men’s fit and Asics Gels for women’s footwear. Both look cute enough to not signal that they’re comfort-first choices. But that’s the crucial thing, because both are ideal for being on your feet and walking 20,000 steps in a day. We just recommend breaking them in BEFORE you start seeing bands, there is nothing worse than wearing new shoes at a music festival.
We highlighted some of the best NFL collabs and lines this year in our Style Gift Guide, but as we were finalizing our lists, this venture with Tyler, The Creator’s Golf Wang came in off the top rope. Among items in the collection are vintage jerseys, polo shirts, and letterman jackets. It’s all designed with an eye to fashion, ensuring that you’ll look on trend while supporting your favorite team.
Daniel Johnston is one of the most singular artists of my lifetime, and this collection of 16 remastered cassette tapes is the definitive way to experience his music. The set is restored by longtime collaborator Kramer (Shimmy-Disc) and lives in a hand-crafted wooden case, screen-printed with Daniel’s artwork, hand-numbered in a limited edition of 999. It also includes a booklet with liner notes by Marc Masters (a great writer) and an exclusive mystery toy from the New York-based art toy gallery Clutter in conjunction with Lunch Lady Studios. That’s a mouthful and speaks to how meticulously this whole project was put together. If you want to splurge for the music friend in your life, this is a great option.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Cookie settingsACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy
Privacy Overview
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
