Music

KELLY CLARKSON

When Christmas Comes Around

Atlantic Records

There is something so soulful and joyful about listening to a Kelly Clarkson song. Infuse that with a holiday jingle and it looks like we’re getting an extra present under the tree this year. This is actually her second collection of holiday songs after 2003's Wrapped in Red. I can just picture The Voice judge and talk show host telling the record executives, “Hey, I want to do another Christmas album!” And like the magic of Santa Claus, here we are with her ninth studio album. And she knocks it out of the house with her powerhouse vocals. I’m assuming she’s singing all of the songs she did not get a chance to her first go-around - from “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” to “Santa Baby'' and “Jingle Bell Rock.” She even delivers a brand new song to cheer, “Christmas Isn’t Canceled (Just You).” We hear you, girl! Also featured on the album are fellow The Voice judge Ariana Grande with “Santa Can’t You Hear Me” and Chris Stapleton on “Glow.” I dub Clarkson the mother of Christmas. - Marisa Patwa

COLDPLAY

Music of the Spheres

Parlophone/Atlantic Records

Coldplay is getting us back into our feels again thanks to their ninth studio album. With dreamy vocals from lead singer Chris Martin, listening to these musicians collaborate together just feels right. You could probably name any Coldplay song and tie it to a fan-made video detailing the ship of the rising chemistry of their favorite TV couple. And that’s because their music transcends so much and resonates with so many. The whole album concept is based off of the universe and they’re tuning into our musical candy cravings once again with lead single “Higher Power.” It puts you under a pulsating spell. The tracklist is based on a solar system straight from the band’s mind, exploring the wanderlust of musicians in this sort of space race for fame. The features on this album are also out of this world including the heartbreakingly beautiful “Let Somebody Go” with Selena Gomez, a duet about the power and beauty of mourning. The pop hit “Glow” with BTS also slaps pretty hard. This album will transport you to the stars. You don’t even need to put on your spacesuit. - Marisa Patwa

LANA DEL REY

Blue Banisters

Interscope/Polydor Records

Lana Del Ray is bringing her easy, breezy vocals back to life just seven months after she released her last album, Chemtrails Over the Country Club. This eighth studio album is a welcome gift, promised by the talented singer earlier this year. And she truly delivers, connecting to the listener with every song. The album also showcases her talents as a songwriter, even addressing her pandemic experience on “Black Bathing Suit”: “Grenadine quarantine, I like you a lot/ It's LA, "Hey" on Zoom, Target parking lot/ And if this is the end, I want a boyfriend/ Someone to eat ice cream with, and watch television/ Or walk home from the mall with.” It’s like diary poetry sung by an angel. “Nectar of the Gods” drips like gold with a sweet drawl. She sings, “What sweet world is this? Honey on the vine/ School kid dreams came true then passed in the night/ I used to dream about people like you, now I don't know why/ I used to sing about people like you, now I just get high.” She makes you fall in love with her then breaks your heart. But I’d do it all over again because this album is gorgeous, transporting you to a therapy session that cleanses the soul. - Marisa Patwa

PLUSH

Self-titled

Pavement Entertainment

Vocalist and guitarist Moriah Formica was just 16 years old when she appeared on The Voice and turned the judges’ heads (and chairs). Now, just a few years later she fronts the tremendously talented quartet PLUSH. Social media is a-flutter with talk of their heavy, trudging riffs and melodic guitar work, killer rhythm section, and Formica’s soaring vocal range. Their talent belies their ages - all are under 21! PLUSH made their mark on YouTube and social media performing covers of Alice In Chains' “Down in a Hole” and Heart’s “Barracuda” prior to releasing their first original album comprised of 13 tracks in October. And what a debut it is! The ladies manage to blend metal, melody, pop sensibilities and slick production to create a compelling and interesting musical journey for listeners. This is an impressive first effort, and I can’t wait to hear more! Check out “Hate,” “Athena” and “Found a Way.” - Matt Alschbach

LIMP BIZKIT

STILL SUCKS

Suretone Records

Let’s set things straight. When I was in high school and college, it was a faux pas to listen to nu metal. It was seen as crass, dumb, cringey... the list of negative adjectives goes on. But here’s the thing - “Break Stuff” by Limp Bizkit is the hardest song of all time. If that opening riff kicks in while I’m in the middle of doing dishes, you best believe I will be smashing plates on the counter top and rolling around in the glass. That’s how metal it is. It’s better than anything Metallica has ever made. You may think Limp Bizkit sucked in ’99, and you might think Limp Bizkit STILL SUCKS. But guess what, they are laughing at you while they play big dumb riffs with big dumb choruses. Anyway, they have a new album and it’s actually pretty cool. - Russ Finn

PARQUET COURTS

Sympathy for Life

Rough Trade Records

I’ll start this one off by saying Parquet Courts are my favorite working band. I don’t think they’ve made anything that's been less than great, and their output over the last nine years has been incredible. What I’m saying is I am incredibly biased. On 2018's Wide Awake! Parquet Courts took a turn away from their punk roots to deliver their biggest hit to date with the titular track - a goofy dance song about being “woke.” Riding the success of that upbeat single, Parquet Courts have decided to double down on that sound for their sixth album Sympathy for Life. Like I said, I am incredibly biased, but this new release straight-up grooves! If you’re not familiar with the cult of Parquet Courts, there’s never been a better time to jump on the bandwagon. - Russ Finn

NATALIE BERGMAN

Keep Those Teardrops from Falling

Third Man Records

Early this year, Chicago-based singer/ songwriter Natalie Bergman released her debut solo album Mercy, a collection of Christian pop songs dealing with the grief of losing her father and the dissolution of her marriage. She expertly and unashamedly shouted out her love for both her biological and heavenly Fathers across an album of Motown-esque original gospel songs. Keep Those Teardrops from Falling is the surprise follow-up EP that acts as a continuation to the Mercy story. I’m not sure if these songs are leftovers from the same sessions or if they are new songs inspired by the success of her debut. Regardless, these four new songs act as a great companion to Mercy and a must-listen for anyone who enjoys Bergman’s perspective on love, God, life, and death. - Russ Finn

ED SHEERAN

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Asylum Records/Atlantic Records

As a self-admitted fan of Sheeran, it is painful to admit that this record, his fifth full studio album, is nothing to write home about. He's a force to be reckoned with when it comes to writing infectious hooks in tracks like The Weeknd-lite “Bad Habits” and new wave “Shivers,” but = doesn’t have the identity that brought Sheeran to the forefront just a few years ago as the English redhead that would use a loop pedal and perform in front of thousands just by himself. It's nice to see that he takes some chances by exploring his former roots in grime with the intriguing “Overpass Graffiti” and some aspects of the R&B bop “2step” seem fresh, but unfortunately they're hidden gems that people may not be able to uncover after the derivative pop songs with decent choruses but very bare, basic verses with no descriptions or true stories. However, Sheeran delivers some high quality vocals throughout the record, especially on the piano ballad “The Joker and the Queen” and the deep house-influenced “Stop the Rain.” But sadly, the vocals don’t “equal” a saving grace from a talented artist that figured out the pop equation but simply stalled. - Freddie Bourne

Blues with Bragin

MICK KOLASSA

Uncle Mick’s Christmas Album

Endless Blues Records

Prolific blues guitarist Mick Kolassa returns with a rocking holiday-themed release. The album opens with a cover of Mariah Carey’s ubiquitous Yuletide tune “All I Want For Christmas Is You.” Kolassa’s slower version of the song is a nice change of pace. James Cunningham offers solid drumming on "Frosty the Snowman” to accompany Bill Ruffino’s funky bass, Eric Hughes’ top-notch harmonica and Marc Franklin’s stellar trumpet playing. Kolassa's original “The Best Christmas Ever” boasts a funkadelic arrangement as he sings about his woman being the best present. The blues classic “Merry Christmas Baby” features phenomenal guitar playing by Kolassa while “Jingle Bells” receives a dark and twisted remake. Franklin’s trumpet on “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” sets the tone very nicely and matches the mood of the song. "Christmas Morning Blues," a Kolassa original, comes out of the gate strong with excellent harmonica playing by Hughes as Kolassa sings about his woman leaving him on Christmas. The album closes with the Kolassa and Jeff Jensen song “Beale Street Christmas.” The tune features the musicians packing a variety of Christmas songs into one. Every blues lover should hope to find this album in their stocking this December. - Paul Bragin