We wish you a Noizy Xmas: Our music gift guide
Give the glorious gift of music with our choice of brilliant albums from 2019
It is almost Christmas time, and if you are scrambling to find gift ideas, we have got you covered. What better to offer your loved ones than some of this year’s best music? Preferably on vinyl records, naturally. Go through our list below to find albums for every taste, to please and even impress your family and friends.
For your Japan-obsessed rebel niece who is aching to go beyond the constraints of J-pop, consider the anti-kawaï new wave of CHAI’s PUNK. The record is short and punchy, so if you really like your niece you can pair it up with the full noise-punk onslaught of Otoboke Beaver’s Itekoma Hits.
Impress your hip-hop fan nephew with the latest sensations in rap’s hottest trend, UK Grime. Nothing beats the masterful debut by Dave, PSYCHODRAMA. You can also add Slowthai’s punky first album, Nothing Great About Britain to show how well you know your shit. If you want to go even further, or if you have have several hip hop homey nephews, throw in the excellent Grey Area by Little Simz.
Your old-school rap fan uncle will of course be shaking his head, raving on about how they don’t make ’em like they used to any more. Show him that they totally still do, with the collaboration between Jurassic 5’s Chali 2na and DJ Krafty Kuts, Adventures of a Reluctant Superhero.
Your hippie uncle might still be longing for the psychedelic folk-rock of the Summer of Love. You can lift him to the clouds with the brilliant U.F.O.F. by Big Thief.
If your hipster cousin is still lamenting the demise of Sonic Youth, soothe him with the uncompromisingly experimental ice-cool punk of the first solo album by Kim Gordon, No Home Record.
Your easy-going cousin might think there’s nothing like some good old Reggae to elevate the spirit and mind. Make him a happy raggamuffin with this gem of a debut that updates the classic sounds of Jamaica for today: Koffee’s Rapture EP.
Your cool auntie will be happy to hear fresh music inspired by her post-punk heroes, The Fall, The Smiths, and many more, without aping any of them. The fiery debut from Ireland’s Fontaines DC, Dogrel, is just what she needs.
Some soul fan in the family will certainly be lamenting the good ol’ days too, though they just might be appreciative of The Alabama Shakes’ revival of pure rhythm ‘n’ blues. Surprise them with the Shakes’ lead singer Brittany Howard’s first solo album, Jaime, where she delivers the goods while shattering the boundaries.
The niece who is all about electronic music, and thinks all else is square shit, would be hard to please. But even she should be impressed by the wildly eclectic production fireworks on Jai Paul’s first proper album release, Leak 4-013 (Bait Ones)
Anyone in your family not yet convinced that the future of music is being designed in Africa? They need to be introduced to an African Giant, Nigeria’s Burna Boy. His latest album spans Fela Kuti-influenced Afrobeat, modern cutting-edge Afrobeats, reggae and US hip hop (with some heavy-hitting guests like Future and Jorja Smith).
All of the above might seem too slight for your badass punk cousins. You need to win them over with the surprise new release (after nearly two decades of silence) by Royal Trux, White Lines. Sleazy, swaggering, noisy, playful stuff that should make their holidays.
But what about your uncool aunt? The one that everybody makes fun of for liking corny arena rock, Celine Dion, and country music? Well she can have the last laugh, because everything she loves is cooler than ice on Canadians Partner’s Saturday the 14th. Their tongue-in-cheek homage to the music you think is a joke gives it new life, and your auntie can now confidently party with all the hip kids.
And your brother, the Metalhead? Damn! We haven’t got anything for him. Maybe any of the above to cure him from the habit?
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