The Lil Uzi Vert renaissance continues with “Regular,” the Philly rapper’s latest colorful video. Like “Chanel Boy” and “Relevant,” “Regular” sees a revitalized Lil Uzi burst firing rhymes about how cool the rapper is while showing off an impressive sartorial collection — one that now includes a few flashes of firearms, for some reason (Uzi named their self after a gun, but that was more for their rapid-fire flow than any sort of proclivity toward violence).
The last three singles appear to be a hard reset to the Uzi of old after recent efforts left fans disappointed, through no fault of Uzi. The pint-sized poet attributed the lukewarm reception to their last project, Eternal Atake 2, to both songs being leaked in advance and their own bare-minimum effort in order to complete the terms of their record deal with Generation Now and Atlantic Records. However, now managed AND distributed by Roc Nation, with full control of their own publishing (also administered by the Roc), Uzi seems to be on a mission to make up for lost time, releasing new songs as quickly as possible. As an indie artist, the Philadelphian no longer has any obligation to release full albums on anyone else’s schedule but their own, so it remains to be seen whether these songs will end up on a longer project, but it’s fun to see them finally living up to their early career declaration, “Do What I Want.”
You can watch Lil Uzi Vert’s “Regular” video above.
The holiday season is in full swing and there are plenty of gift options for your loved ones this year. But if there’s something we feel most strongly about here at Uproxx, it’s the arts, and specifically ways to bring art into your home and the homes of your loved ones. In a world that seems to be deprioritizing ownership of physical media all the time, we can’t think of a better way to support the artists we love and give a gift whose enjoyment is limitless.
We’ve listened to a lot of great vinyl this year, so this is a great chance to highlight some of the best collections that have been offered up in 2025. So take note, find the item that best speaks to your gifting needs, and make the music fan in your life as happy as possible.
The Beatles — Anthology Collection (2025 Edition)
The Beatles
Uproxx’s Steven Hyden recently said of The Beatles Anthology, “For all the times The Beatles story has been told and retold, this remains the single most entertaining iteration, mostly because it comes from the guys themselves.” Part of that whole package is the accompanying albums of rarities, which was just expanded to add 13 new songs to the party. It feels like Beatles fans regularly have something to celebrate during the holidays, and this year is no different.
David Bowie — I Can’t Give Everything Away (2002-2016)
Parlophone
Bowie’s estate has been pumping out a series of box sets and the latest tackles his final era. Spanning from 2002 to 2016, it features his final four albums and more material spread across the 18-piece set. Included are bonuses like a previously unreleased live set and a collection of 41 rare non-album tracks. David Bowie’s final output was appreciated at the time of release, but the loss of him makes this collection resonate even more.
Talking Heads — More Songs About Buildings And Food (Super Deluxe Edition)
Rhino
Times have been good for Talking Heads fans. There was the big tribute album last year, and now the group has reissued More Songs About Buildings And Food. The 4LP edition comes with rarities, live recordings, and reissues of international 7-inch singles.
The Oasis reunion tour has been one of the biggest music events of 2025 (and perhaps of 2026, too). The band has delivered with reissues as the spotlight is on them, including an anniversary edition of the classic (What’s The Story) Morning Glory?. The biggest additions are new unplugged versions of five songs: “Cast No Shadow,” “Morning Glory,” “Wonderwall,” “Acquiesce,” and “Champagne Supernova.” The tour doesn’t have to end this holiday season.
The “One-Step” process of bringing an album to vinyl is highly regarded as being an audiophile’s dream, and the latest album to have the privilege is Tom Petty’s iconic Wildflowers. For the reissue, the pressing was cut directly from the original master tapes. Again, this one is limited, with only 6,000 copies being produced. One of Petty’s best albums, sounding as good as ever. If you or a loved one misses Tom as much as we do, this is a great gift.
This is a holy grail for obsessives of Five Leaves Left, Nick Drake’s 1969 debut album. The Making Of Five Leaves Left, as the title indicates, offers a behind-the-curtain look at the project, as the 4LP set showcases studio outtakes and previously unheard songs. Not exactly holiday music, but it’s a really thoughtful collection that would make a great gift for the serious music fan in your life.
Figure 8 has become an iconic part of the late Elliott Smith’s legacy, and this vinyl pressing might be the best-ever version of it. It’s a vinyl version of a deluxe edition that was previously digital-only, and it includes every B-side and previously released solo acoustic and alternate version, not to mention three perfect white/red/black LPs. Every Elliott Smith album is essential for serious music fans, so this would make a great gift.
Fleetwood Mac had a legendary run in the ’70s and ’80s, highlighted by Fleetwood Mac, Rumours, Tusk, Mirage, and Tango In The Night. Those iconic projects have now all been collected in a box set that also comes with a clear 12-inch of “Silver Springs” and “Go Your Own Way,” and that’s limited to just 1,000 copies. If you’re missing any of these classics in your collection, this is an ideal way to finish off that period from one of music’s greatest bands.
Feels was the end of an era for Animal Collective, as it was their last album before signing with Domino and later blowing up with Merriweather Post Pavilion. Feels is now 20 years old and the band is coming through with a reissue. Excitingly, this new edition comes with a collection of nine B-sides and previously unreleased demos, all available in a 3LP package.
Neil Young — Harvest Moon (Reissue), Unplugged (Reissue), Sleeps With Angels (Reissue), and Mirror Ball (Reissue)
Warner
Young is well into his Official Release Series at this point and the latest additions get into the ’90s. Each numbered box set is a limited edition and features each album, complete with historically accurate artwork, on a double LP. Whether it’s his work with Pearl Jam as his collaborators or some of his best-known songs on Harvest Moon, this is one of Young’s best periods and is an essential own for record collectors.
Neil Young — Tonight’s The Night (50th Anniversary Edition)
Neil Young
Neil makes the list twice this time! Maybe Santa needs to do better list-checking? We kid, we kid. Anyway, he’s celebrating 50 years of Tonight’s The Night with an anniversary edition. Most notably, it comes with reimagined cover art (more colorful this time around) and six bonus tracks, the first time they’ve been available on vinyl. A nice counterpoint to his early ’90s work, proving that Neil Young has as many essential eras as anyone.
We’re onto the fifth Slow Xmas release now, which was preceded by volumes of takes on Christmas classics by alternative artists. This is the first time the project is getting released on vinyl and it’s a good year to start, as the 2025 compilation features Death Valley Girls, Meridian Brothers and Shannon Lay, Zach Cooper of King Garbage, Eric Slick of Dr. Dog, and Dave Hartley of The War On Drugs. I’m a big fan of the podcast Blank Check, and this is produced and curated by Ben Hosley, the producer of that show. Scum bums 4eva.
Yusuf/Cat Stevens — On The Road To Findout: Greatest Hits
A&M/UMe
Yusuf/Cat Stevens has a new memoir, Cat On The Road To Findout, out now. That’s good news for readers but also for listeners, as there is an accompanying greatest hits album. It’s truly comprehensive, featuring songs spanning from 1967 to 2023. Nothing sounds better on a weekend morning than Cat Stevens, and this is a great intro for the music fan in your life.
Jaws (Music From The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) (Reissue)
UMe
Is there a more iconic movie soundtrack moment than the repeated “dun-dun” from Jaws? It’d certainly be hard to pick one, but either way, John Williams’ legendary score is available now in two fantastic vinyl editions, one that looks like blood in water and another that’s actually filled with liquid.
Vince Guaraldi Trio — A Charlie Brown Christmas (Reissue)
Craft Recordings
No winter is complete without A Charlie Brown Christmas and its beloved soundtrack, which is actually one of the best-selling jazz albums ever. This year is the 60th anniversary of the special and the 75th anniversary of Peanuts more broadly, so now we have a special zoetrope reissue of the album that’s a great gift for adults and children alike.
Black And Blue will be 50 years old in 2026, but The Rolling Stones are celebrating early with a reissue. The Super Deluxe Box Set is a keeper, containing 5 LPs, a Blu-Ray disc, a replica tour poster, and a 100-page hardback book. A limited 1LP zoetrope vinyl can also be had separately.
For my money, The Head And The Heart remain a somewhat underrated band despite their massive hits and touring success. Beginning with their Sub Pop emergence that revolved around vibrant songwriting and shows that would make anyone a believer, they’ve now been around nearly 15 years and are still winning over new fans. For Record Store Day, they offered up Ghost In The Machinery , which features fresh arrangements of songs from their previous album, Aperture.
Japanese Breakfast — Soft Sounds From Another Planet
Dead Oceans
Before Michelle Zauner was a Grammy nominee and best-selling author, she was a humble indie rocker dropping fantastic, critically acclaimed albums. So, essentially not that different than she is now. Soft Sounds From Another Planet is a fantastic early record from her, and it’s available on Bandcamp in classic black vinyl. Bandcamp is a great place to get artist merch in general and makes up a massive majority of things bought and sold on the platform. It’s an ideal way to support both the company and the artist directly.
We love a record club here at Uproxx. But, unfortunately, Vinyl Me, Please isn’t really doing what it once did, Bandbox is no more, and it’s harder than ever to find quality subscription services. Enter Verve Record Club, which has exactly what you need if you’re a jazz fan looking for a great reason to check the mail every month. They’re not just offering up legendary albums, either, but also pressing never-before-heard recordings, like The Ramsey Lewis Trio’s Groovin’ Live At The Penthouse seen above. Tap in for the record collector in your life.
One of the year’s best movies is also one of its best music/movie combos. And Mutant is putting out both the soundtrack and the score on their first vinyl pressing. For the soundtrack, which features songs featured in the film from its stars Jayme Lawson and Miles Canton next to songs from Rod Wave and Brittany Howard, they’ve pressed the collection to on-theme Smoke and Stack colored vinyl. The score, which might earn Ludwig Göransson another Academy Award, also comes on double colored vinyl. Sinners took over the world in 2025, and these vinyl offerings are a great way to own part of the magic.
Of everything on this list, this might be the most holiday gift guide bullseye. UMG has collected 14 holiday classics into this candy cane-colored box set, with each 7-inch on colored vinyl. And these aren’t just any version of the iconic tunes: We’ve got Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra, The Jackson 5, two Beatles, and Elton John included. With 28 songs in all, the only worry is that by owning this, you’ll have to be the holiday DJ all night long.
Let It Be was a defining indie album of the ’80s. It still sounds fresh here in the 2020s and the new deluxe edition is a great addition to any vinyl collection. Included here on the 4LP set are, aside from the remastered album, unreleased studio and live recordings.
Keeping up with music news and resources like Spotify’s giant and regularly updated New Music Friday playlist are great ways to keep your listening habits from getting stale. Sometimes, though, you need a deeper dive. That’s where Uproxx’s Baylee Lefton comes in as she routinely offers quick-hit lists of songs you need to add into your rotation this week.
She delivered a fresh set today (December 1), and the vibe is tunes for fans of Kaytranada.
As Baylee put it, her picks fall in the realm of Kaytranada’s “electronic, R&B, funk, groovy house.” The mix starts with “Bet You Didn’t Need,” from Daniel Allan, Arlo, and fkblnde. The single is a fresh one, as it just dropped this past summer, and it definitely catches that Kaytra vibe.
Next is Jackson Homer and ROZZZQWEEN’s 2022 collaboration “Idea Of Us,” which brings a perfect blend and soul, the latter coming courtesy of ROZZZQWEEN’s big-time vocals. Rounding out the mix are Wntr, Nakeyo, and Lawrence Mace’s “Dunes (Remix)”; and F3miii’s “From Your Eyes.” “Oh, I used to be obsessed with that track,” Baylee reminisces about the latter.
Check out the video above and to listen to the full songs yourself, hit up the link in Lefton’s Instagram bio.
True longevity in hip-hop is rare, and in recent years, Nas has been showing the culture how it’s done. When the world shut down at the start of this decade, he opened up. COVID and pandemic be damned, the Queensbridge heavyweight embarked on a celebrated six-album run. That’s right, in an era where legacy artists rarely rewrite their own stories, Nas did — three times over.
At the center of this unprecedented 2020s renaissance stood Hit-Boy, the masterful producer who helped spark a new golden run with the King’s Disease and Magic trilogies. Together, the dynamic duo won a Grammy, and reshaped how hip-hop measures consistency.
I hit up Hit-Boy and even on Turkey Day, the California champ found time to send me a list of his 20 favorite Nas songs from their historic era. In no particular order, these picks are his blueprint: the records that defined their chemistry, elevated the craft and ascended the art of beats and rhymes.
Before Nas links back up with DJ Premier, pay respect — Hit brought one of hip-hop’s undisputed all-time greats into a whole new prime. Aging forward.
Nas — “Thun” (King’s Disease III, 2022)
The QB soldier reminisces and even playfully acknowledges his former conflict with Jay-Z.
Nas — “Speechless” (Magic, 2021)
When you started from the bottom, it’s hard to explain how you reached the top. “My winning streak is divine.”
Nas — “Michael & Quincy” (King’s Disease III, 2022)
Gifted vocalist meets gifted producer. Nasir and Chauncey mirror the preeminence of MJ and Q—aiming for that same gold standard.
Nas — “Reminisce” (King’s Disease III, 2022)
With just a touch of MJB in the backdrop, Nas honors his exceptional past while embracing the blessings of his present.
Nas — “Wave Gods” feat. ASAP Rocky & DJ Premier (Magic, 2021)
Esco and Flacko glide on this bouncy bop that aged so well. Freedom called Max B’s name—and Biggaveli’s home.
Nas — “Ugly” (Magic, 2021)
A dark aura surrounds this one. Nasty Nas ain’t dismayed by the darkest days. Can you stand his reign?
Nas — “Car #85” feat. Charlie Wilson (King’s Disease, 2020)
With Gap Band legend Uncle Charlie as co-pilot, Nas cruises through NYC summer nights. Smoke and ride. Repeat.
Nas — “Store Run” (King’s Disease II, 2021)
“Shifting the culture/ Mention me with Mick Jagger and Bono like you’re ‘posed to/ I’m standing next to rookies/ Somehow they lookin’ older.” Longevity is handsome.
Nas — “Ultra Black” feat. Hit-Boy (King’s Disease, 2020)
A celebration of African American history and a toast to a formidable future. Throw your fist in the air.
Nas — “I Love This Feeling” (Magic 3, 2023)
Nas drops gems on navigating life’s hardships. Find your support system.
Nas — “1-800-Nas-&-Hit” (Magic 3, 2023)
Nas salutes the entire six-album run and encourages his elder peers to get active. Seed planted. Legend has it.
Nas — “Legit” (King’s Disease III, 2022)
With respect to Nas’ flow, Hit-Boy’s high-powered Five Heartbeats sample steals the show. Encore.
Nas — “Once A Man, Twice A Child” (King’s Disease III, 2022)
Nas shares his dignified perspective on this merry-go-round called life. “Live while you got the strength to.”
Nas — “Slow It Down” (Magic 2, 2023)
Nas is so far ahead of his time—don’t make him start another life.
Nas — “Replace Me” feat. Big Sean & Don Toliver (King’s Disease, 2020)
Alongside Detroit’s Sean Don, Mr. Jones opens up about relationship woes. You know how it goes.
FKA Twigs has long been a stellar performer, and next year, fans will get to see it on stage: Today (December 1), Twigs announced the Body High Tour, which runs from next March to June.
“BODY HIGH. a live show. by myself, by us. created in the throes of EUSEXUA and the highs of AFTERGLOW.
the whole of my life has been dedicated to movement and the mercurial nature of the body. throughout EUSEXUA my dancers and i have been allocating time before rehearsals to exploring movement, to discover something new.
i have wanted to share this with you for so long!”
Tickets go on sale starting with an artist pre-sale on December 2. The general on-sale kicks off December 5 at 10 a.m. local time. More information can be found here.
Check out the tour dates below.
FKA Twigs’ 2026 Tour Dates: Body High Tour
03/14/2026 — Miami, FL @ Factory Town
03/16/2026 — Atlanta, GA @ Coca-Cola Roxy
03/18/2026 — Washington, DC @ The Anthem
03/21/2026 — New York, NY @ Madison Square Garden
03/22/2026 — Boston, MA @ MGM Music Hall at Fenway
03/24/2026 — Toronto, ON @ Coca-Cola Coliseum
03/26/2026 — Chicago, IL @ Wintrust Arena
03/27/2026 — Minneapolis, MN @ The Armory
03/30/2026 — Denver, CO @ Fillmore Auditorium
04/02/2026 — Seattle, WA @ WAMU Theater
04/03/2026 — Vancouver, BC @ Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre
04/04/2026 — Portland, OR @ Theater of the Clouds
04/07/2026 — San Francisco, CA @ Bill Graham Civic Auditorium
04/12/2026 — Indio, CA @ Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival
04/19/2026 — Indio, CA @ Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival
04/23/2026 — Mexico City, MX @ Pepsi Center WTC
06/04/2026 — Copenhagen, DK @ Royal Arena
06/06/2026 — Amsterdam, NL @ Ziggo Dome
06/08/2026 — Paris, FR @ Adidas Arena
06/10/2026 — London, UK @ O2 Arena
06/12/2026 — Berlin, DE @ Velodrom
Mannequin Pussy have had an excellent past couple years. In 2023, they managed to buy back their masters and re-release their sophomore album, Romantic, on Romantic Records, their own imprint through Epitaph. At the time, they had love for their former label, Tiny Engines, and thanked their new one “for being among our first supporters and for their early belief in our music and secondly for giving us this opportunity.” The prosperity has only continued from there. Their latest album is 2024’s I Got Heaven, which was one of the year’s best-received albums: It was one of the top-ranking projects in that year’s Uproxx Music Critics Poll.
In a new video, Uproxx’s Joypocalypse explains why she considers Mannequin Pussy “essential listening in the realm of contemporary indie rock and punk.”
She says:
“Mannequin Pussy has a very healthy dose of that ferocity and melody in their sound, but where they really shine for me is lyrically. Lyrically, this band can get very cathartic, focusing on themes of rage, grief, heartbreak, insecurities. a healthy dose. They’re vulnerable while maintaining grit.”
She concludes by calling them “a sick band, definitely worth exploring if you’re unfamiliar with their discography.”
Welcome to SNX DLX, your weekly roundup of the best sneakers to hit the internet. With Black Friday Weekend comes the weakest list of sneakers we’ve had all year. We couldn’t even round up five noteworthy pairs, so this is going to be a pretty truncated list.
Luckily, what’s here is pretty interesting, whether you like classics like the Air Max 95 OG and classic black and white and the legendary Black Cat Jordan 4, or more contemporary looking styles like the Air Max 95000 and the New Balance 204L. Nothing this week is going to blow you away, but get use to it — as we said last week, we’re essentially at the end of the line for dope sneaker releases. At this point, the big brands are scrapping the bottom of the barrel.
Nike’s 30 year anniversary celebration of the Air Max 95 comes to an end with this final release of the year. The OG White and Black AM-95 features a synthetic leather upper with mesh detailing, an embroidered swoosh, big bubble air bag, and a pristine white upper with teal, black, and silver accents.
Highlights include the vintage lowercase air max branding and the bright teal tongue, which contrasts nicely with the mostly colorless design.
The Nike Air Max 95 OG White and Black is out now for a retail price of $190. Pick up a pair via the Nike SNKRS app.
Stealthy, sleek, and luxurious, the Black Cat Jordan 4 sports an all-black nubuck leather upper with matte black paneling, and graphite branding. It’s a monochromatic masterpiece!
It’s the sort of sneaker you could wear to a wedding (don’t be that person though, just wear some hard shoes!). It’s sneaker luxury at its finest. A legendary pair that anyone would be lucky to own.
The Nike Air Jordan 4 Black Cat is out now for a retail price of $220. Pick up a pair via the Nike SNKRS app.
What better way to cap off the 30th anniversary of the Air Max than by imaging what the next 30 years of sneaker design might look like. That’s what the Air Max 95000 attempts to do. The sneaker sports a 3D printed upper, a big bubble air bag, and a special outsole made of what Nike is calling Project Nectar technology, which is formatted to grip the ground while providing enhanced stability.
We’ll have to wear a pair to comment on the tech, but we’d be lying if we said we weren’t fascinated by what Nike is doing here. The brand is really taking a chance here and we’re eager to see if it pays off.
The Nike Air Max 95000 Black and Volt is out now for a retail price of $250. Pick up a pair via the Nike SNKRS app.
The New Balance takes the 2000s design aesthetic and infuses it with a bit of ‘70s style for a sneaker that feels equal parts retro and contemporary. The sneaker sports a lightweight synthetic upper over an EVA outsole with Suede detailing, embossed overlays, and an eye-catching silver, blue, white and black colorway.
The New Balance 204L Silver Metallic with Still Water is out now for a retail price of $119.99. Pick up a pair at New Balance.
Anybody who thought the vinyl resurgence was just a fad was mistaken: The industry has experienced a legitimate revival. As a result, music fans are interested in physical media in ways they may not have if the decades-old medium hasn’t made a comeback. That doesn’t mean everybody is listening to just their parents’ old music, though. That’s part of it, sure, thanks to rereleases that present classic albums in new ways. A vital part of the renewed vinyl wave, though, is new projects being released as records, of which there are plenty.
Whatever you might be into, each month brings a new slew of vinyl releases that has something for everybody. Some stand out above the rest, naturally, so check out some of our favorite vinyl releases of November below.
The Beatles — Anthology Collection (2025 Edition)
The Beatles
Uproxx’s Steven Hyden recently said of The Beatles Anthology, “For all the times The Beatles story has been told and retold, this remains the single most entertaining iteration, mostly because it comes from the guys themselves.” Part of that whole package is the accompanying albums of rarities, which was just expanded to add 13 new songs to the party.
Pioneering New Zealand rockers Split Enz released their debut album, Mental Notes, half a century ago now. In celebration, the band is releasing a new box set (available in a 5-CD box set or one with three LPs and a Blu-Ray disc) that comprehensively catalog’s the band’s formative years. Included are goodies like rough mixes and live recordings.
The vinyl lovers at Third Man Records have brought The Jesus And Mary Chain into the fold with a reissue of Psychocandy, marking the project’s 40th anniversary. It comes in standard black vinyl for purists but is also available in a lovely “hot honey” vinyl for those wanting some pizzazz.
Neil Young — Harvest Moon (Reissue), Unplugged (Reissue), Sleeps With Angels (Reissue), and Mirror Ball (Reissue)
Warner
Young is well into his Official Release Series at this point and the latest additions get into the ’90s. Each numbered box set is a limited edition and features each album, complete with historically accurate artwork, on a double LP. Whether its his work with Pearl Jam as his collaborators or some of his best-known songs on Harvest Moon, this is one of Young’s best periods and is an essential own for record collectors.
Speaking of long-running series: We’re onto the fifth Slow Xmas release now, which was preceded by volumes of takes on Christmas classics by alternative artists. This is the first time the project is getting released on vinyl and it’s a good year to start, as the 2025 compilation features Death Valley Girls, Meridian Brothers and Shannon Lay, Zach Cooper of Coheed And Cambria, Eric Slick of Dr. Dog, and Dave Hartley of The War On Drugs.
The Tangerine Master Series is bringing some of Ray Charles’ best work to the forefront. The collection continues with No One Does It Like… Ray Charles!, featuring a group of mid-1960s singles, B-sides, and non-LP tracks presented in this configuration for the first time.
Paul McCartney did pretty well for himself post-Beatles thanks to the success of Wings. This self-titled collection compiles the best the band has to offer, per McCartney himself, who oversaw the project. Formats include the beautiful 3-LP limited edition color vinyl collection. All physical editions come with a booklet featuring an introduction from McCartney.
Neil Young — Tonight’s The Night (50th Anniversary Edition)
Neil Young
Neil makes the list twice this time! He’s also celebrating 50 years of Tonight’s The Night with an anniversary edition. Most notably, it comes with reimagined cover art (more colorful this time around) and six bonus tracks, the first time they’ve been available on vinyl.
Black And Blue will be 50 years old in 2026, but The Rolling Stones are celebrating early with a reissue. The Super Deluxe Box Set is a keeper, containing 5 LPs, a Blu-Ray disc, a replica tour poster, and a 100-page hardback book. A limited 1-LP zoetrope vinyl can also be had separately.
Bieber had one of the year’s biggest surprise albums with Swag. The all-black 2-LP vinyl release looks clean but bold, a real timeless release. Also on offer is a 7-inch vinyl of “Daisies,” limited to 5,000 units and featuring the instrumental version.
The NFL made a big deal of the halftime shows for its Thanksgiving games this year: Post Malone played at the Dallas Cowboys-Kansas City Chiefs game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas; Lil Jon did the Baltimore Ravens-Cincinnati Bengals game at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore; and Jack White performed at the Detroit Lions-Green Bay Packers contest at Ford Field in Detroit. It turned out White wasn’t alone, even beyond his band: As he performed his White Stripes song “Hello Operator,” fellow Detroit icon Eminem made a surprise appearance, turning the song into a mash-up with “‘Till I Collapse.” Beyond that, White opened with his solo song “That’s How I’m Feeling” and closed with the all-time classic “Seven Nation Army.”
The NFL has the full performance up on YouTube (it can’t be embedded here, so give it a watch here. The two artists, though, have teamed up to give the performance an audio-only release on streaming platforms, with the three-track release being titled Live At Ford Field.
Meanwhile, Uproxx’s Joypocalypse recently observed, “The 2000s garage rock revival was a return to stripped-down rock music. It was a reaction to the more polished, radio-friendly rock music that was popular at the time. The White Stripes had that stripped-down sound and also production-wise, especially on that first album because of the tiny budget, they’re using older gear. It also is coming through in their recordings and their production. Jack White is not shy when it comes to fuzz use, leading to that very raw, fuzzed-out garage rock sound.”
Not all gifts are created equal. Some are boring, some are confusing, and some are the kind that immediately end up in a drawer. But not the ones on this list. We went hunting for tech that actually wows — stuff that’s stylish, functional, and just impressive enough to earn you some bragging rights. From electric bikes to cutting-edge wearables, noise cancelling headphones, handheld gaming systems, and more, these gifts are worth their price tags. They’re the kind of “products” that eventually turn into investments, gear that actually earns its spot in the daily routine of whoever’s tree they end up sitting under. (And yes, that can include your own.)
Here are our picks for the coolest tech gifts this holiday season. All prices accurate at time of publication. We definitely urge you to hunt for Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and other seasonal sales to get the best deal.
I admit it. I want someone – anyone – to tell me the optimal way to live my life. I doubt I’d do something as extreme as joining a cult or the military to achieve that, but I can’t say I haven’t been tempted. (The threat of sleep deprivation is what normally holds me back.) Ultimately, I just want someone or something to take one piece of adulting off my plate everyday, and the Oura Ring 4? It does that. Most wearables I’ve tried feel like a tiny ankle monitor for your wrist but this sleek, circular little gadget is so chic, so seamless, I often forget I’m wearing it. That’s because the latest edition is lighter, thinner, and now hides its sensors inside the band instead of bulging against your finger, making it a 24/7 wearable that genuinely disappears until you open the app and wonder, “How did it track all of that?”
And what’s the “all that?” My heart rate, my oxygen saturation, my REM sleep, my stress level, my cycle, my cardiovascular age, my chronotype, and more. This piece of jewelry knows more about me than most of my immediate family members. And it distills all that info via the app’s Oura Advisor, an AI companion that makes your health data legible without lecturing you. With a battery that lasts up to eight days and Smart Sensing tech that can be paired with lab readings to get an even more in-depth snapshot of your health, the Oura Ring takes most of the mystery out of reading your body’s signals, which is a big win if, like me, you’ve had WebMD bookmarked for too long on your phone. Right now, the 4th gen is at it’s lowest price (a whopping 30% off) and it’s totally reimbursable with your HSA.
These 2nd gen Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones look premium out of the box with metal accented sliders, plush cushions, and an overall sleek design that incorporates touch volume control. While they’re lighter than you’d expect, they don’t feel cheap or vulnerable to minor drops. I’m not throwing them against a wall to try that out, though.
The sound on these is the true selling point, with crystal clarity. I was especially impressed by the “Quiet” mode where active noise cancelling near-completely shuts out the world. Like, I couldn’t even hear my own voice. Which is a warning for those prone to breaking into song when their self awareness fades. Joggers and urban explorers take heed, there is an “Awareness” mode that lets the world back in. There’s also an easy to navigate app that allows for custom settings.
NBA2K fills a late summer gap every year before NBA Premiere Week, but more often than not, I find myself wrapped up in the little worlds I’m creating in MyTeam and MyNBA modes, forgoing real world games for a shot at developing a winner in the game. Part of that may be because I’m a Bulls fan, but the game is also just that much fun, aided by the franchises’ continuing commitment to realism and customization on and off the court. There are definite pick up and play options for more casual fans, but the deeper the fandom, the richer the experience.
I like bikes for fun, not for punishment, okay? I’m here to cruise, not pedal like I’m training for a Tour de France stage. But somehow, despite my lifelong disdain for overexertion, I’ve never thought to try an ebike… until now. Here’s what the Ride1Up Portola has going for it: a suspension that actually smooths out potholes, a 750W motor, hydraulic brakes, lights, fenders, a rear rack that can hold an oversized gym bag or small child (whichever you happen to have on hand). It folds down so I can easily stash it in my tiny back patio, it can outrun an African Elephant at a top speed of 28mph, it can travel 40 miles in one trip, and, best of all, you don’t have to justify dipping into your savings to own it. It’s kind of the perfect gift, especially for the person on your list who wants adventure without the sweat… or just a really cool way to escape holiday get-togethers this year.
If your attitude toward the Borderlands franchise is at all colored by the abysmal 2024 film or influenced by exhaustion 16 years from the release of the first title, let us assure you that this latest entry is taking chances. There’s a new planet (Kairos), new Valult Hunters, and a new big bad (the Timekeeper) filling in the story of this open world looter shooter, though the action is still as abundant, chaotic, and satisfying as ever.
Nothing Headphones have a distinct visual ID that recalls sci-fi futurism by way of the ‘80s (complimentary). They also offer unique productivity tools such as voice note recording and ChatGPT integration (setup through their app). That would be enough if you wanted to multi-task or and invite asks as to where you got your interesting gear, but the sound also kicks, delivering amp adjacent oomph that feels truly immersive. Adaptive noise cancelling, limited bleed, and expansive battery life (80 hours) round out the package.
Home printers have received an influx of use thanks to the current work-from-home climate in America, with more and more people needing the supplies they might get at work in their own home. Add to that the wealth of non-business uses for a home printer, like supporting photo hobbies or crafting or just about anything else that exists on a piece of paper, and you have a surefire gift that’s as fun as it is useful.
We’re fans of the HP Smart Tank 5101 All-in-One Printer for all these uses and more. Printing? Check. Copying? Yup. Scanning? Of course. All in a wireless, compact package that doesn’t take a ton of space? We wouldn’t have it any other way. Plus, the package comes with 2-3 years worth of ink (depending on your usage/needs) and delivers a satisfying and quiet print every time to ensure great looking representations of whatever photo, document, pattern, or miscellaneous project you give it. And at 30% off at the time of writing this, this is a deal that can provide a longterm printing solution for you or a loved one.
The pursuit of an Xbox handheld that can take advantage of my Game Pass and Cloud Gaming has led me to accessories that attach a controller to my cell phone, asking it to serve as the console’s sidekick. The effect has been middling from a graphics and experience standpoint. It’s now sitting in a drawer collecting dust, a brilliant idea and design that just didn’t give me what I need, as I recall playing MLB The Show while squinting, trying to time the delay between when a pitch starts and when my command to swing is honored.
The ROG XBOX ALLY is something different. Too big to sit in a drawer or cause you to squint, the dedicated handheld from Microsoft and Asus is a nice upgrade on that experience. Not exactly an Xbox you can throw in your backpack, it’s more a platform allowing you to take your adventures on the road through Cloud gaming, mobile-optimized Xbox titles, Xbox Play Anywhere, and PC games through Battle.net and other digital storefronts. The gameplay experience is far better than any other handheld I’ve played, thanks to a 1080p-capable 7” touchscreen, Xbox-inspired controls, and less laggy play with Cloud Gaming.
The ROG XBOX ALLY is more elevated than an entry-level device, requiring a little customization out of the box to maximize the experience. But once you make it your own, it qualifies as a unique and fun addition to any savvy gamer’s toolkit.
