Happy December, Her Campus! I know what you’re thinking: time for holiday music reviews, right?
WRONG. There are so many albums coming out this week ranging from rock to R&B to jazz that we all need to listen to before we even think of hitting the mall for that inevitable Christmas gift shopping spree, so grab your headphones!
Rock
Songs of Experience / U2
For iTunes users, U2’s polarizing 2014 album Songs of Innocence was an unexpected (and widely unwanted) gift from the Apple gods. But three years later, the Bono-fronted rock band’s Songs of Experience is a jaded, emotional record that features singles “You’re the Best Thing About Me,” “Get Out of Your Own Way,” and “American Soul” (above), the latter of which you may recognize as a rock-heavy rework of Kendrick Lamar’s “XXX. (feat. U2)” from the album DAMN. Songs of Experience contains enough throwbacks to U2’s older material to engage longtime fans, as well as a new enough vibe to pull in younger listeners. There’s something for everyone.
The Visitor / Neil Young + Promise of the Real
The legendary Neil Young and his new band Promise of the Real get political on The Visitor, an album whose title itself is a reminder that Young, a 72-year-old Canadian who made his chart debut with Buffalo Springfield in 1966, is looking at America from the outside. “Already Great” (above) is a calm-seeming ballad that becomes more of a protest song with the lines “Already great / You’re already great” and “No wall / No ban / No fascist USA.” Get ready to feel both validated and angered by this new release from the master pacifist.
Country
From a Room: Volume 2 / Chris Stapleton
Have you ever liked a country song? If not, click play on “Tryin’ To Untangle My Mind” (above) right now. This hit off Chris Stapleton’s From a Room: Volume 2 doesn’t pretend to be anything other than a twangy, laid-back tune sung in Stapleton’s gravelly Southern drawl, while at the same time perfectly expressing his uncertainty about the future. We’ve all been there, and it’s soothing to know that you’re not alone.
I Don’t Believe We’ve Met / Danielle Bradbery
I remember watching Danielle Bradbery win Season 4 of The Voice when she was sixteen, and am happy to report that her voice is still able to consistently bring a smile to my face. “Sway” (above) is a particularly catchy cut from her sophomore album I Don’t Believe We’ve Met that suggests dancing with friends in times of stress, which is definitely my preferred way of letting off steam! You’ll want to add it to all your Spotify playlists, especially for those low-key holiday parties with friends and family.
Jazz
Versatile / Van Morrison
Ed Sheeran name-dropped Morrison in his ubiquitous hit “Shape of You” with the line “Take my hand, stop, put Van the Man on the jukebox / And then we start to dance,” but what song was this hypothetical jukebox playing? Had Van Morrison’s album Versatile been released when Sheeran was writing “Shape of You,” the song might have been “I Get a Kick Out of You” (above). This classic Cole Porter song, first performed as part of the musical Anything Goes, is a perfect match for a classic crooner like Morrison, who covers other jazz standards on Versatile along with a few of his own original songs.
Pop
The Good Parts / Andy Grammer
My 12-year-old sister discouraged me from including “Fresh Eyes” as the Andy Grammer single in this article, but if you haven’t seen the music video for it yet here’s a link. Done? Welcome back! It’s time for another hit from Grammer’s record The Good Parts, this time “Give Love” (above). Featuring LunchMoney Lewis, “Give Love” is typical Andy Grammer: upbeat, positive, and catchy as anything! Press play and get ready to jam out.
Hip-Hop
The Dedication / Chief Keef
When he was 16, Chicago rapper Chief Keef burst onto the hip-hop scene with hits “I Don’t Like” and “Love Sosa.” Now 22, Keef is ready to release The Dedication, his third studio album. Listen to “Mailbox” (above) for a taste of Chief Sosa’s newest drill-flavored rap.
Metal
In Becoming a Ghost / The Faceless
Her Campus metalheads, are you out there? I know there must be at least one person here who will geek out with me about The Faceless’ epic “Digging the Grave” (above) from the album In Becoming a Ghost. I listened to it while washing my dishes—and let me tell you, I had never been so efficient. “Digging the Grave” seems to me a miniature symphony, complete with several movements revolving around the same theme. I couldn’t tell you what The Faceless are singing saying, but does it really matter? This is a hard-rocking yet sophisticated piece of music I know I will be exploring further.
R&B
War & Leisure / Miguel
R&B superstar Miguel teams up with Travis Scott on “Sky Walker” (above), a catchy single from his new album War & Leisure. War & Leisure promises to be the kind of record you put on during a road trip with your friends: an instant vibe from start to finish.
Say Less / Roy Woods
Drake mentee Roy Woods is set to release his first album Say Less on OVO Sound, and Champagne Papi’s influence is audible on “What Are You On?” (above). Woods’ smooth voice and meaningful lyrics led Noisey to call him “the rap version of Michael Jackson.” Say Less, like the rest of these albums, will be available in the U.S. on December 1st.
I guarantee that at least one of these songs will be your newest 2017 jam, so go forth and enjoy!
P.S. If you’re too busy shopping ’til you drop, here are the songs in a Spotify playlist just for you.