Music inspires. It awakens the spirit and binds moments together. It soothes, excites and supports—and it’s a fundamental for many, including us at COOL HUNTING. Whether sharing our favorite songs, looking for records, testing headphones and speakers, playing instruments or reading about a favorite band, there are no limits to the pleasure of being in love with music. Inside our Musicality Gift Guide, you will find everything from record box-sets to audio recording devices, label merch, biographies, prints and more—chosen for those who play or listen to music. For more gift ideas, check out our full BUY section, which is updated regularly.
Featuring the fervent “Viril” and soaring “Cut Me,” Moses Sumney’s græ is a dazzling two-LP record that bends countless genres—from soul to rock, ambient, classical, jazz, R&B and beyond. At times tender, vulnerable, and ferocious, the 20-track album (Sumney’s second) explores intimacy and identity, resulting in a listening experience that’s unique and entirely exquisite.
Embroidered with their Arran Gregory-designed yin yang logo, Ghostly’s newest piece of merchandise subtly nods to the record label’s spooky mascot. The boxy hoodie (available in small to extra large) suits all shapes and genders, and is crafted from 100% cotton. Made in the USA, this garment offers an understated way to represent the indie label.
A compilation record of songs recorded by legendary trumpeter and bandleader Miles Davis, at NYC’s Columbia Studios between 1970 and 1974, Get Up with It is a foray into jazz fusion, with elements of rock, soul, psych, funk, calypso and more woven throughout. At the time, many jazz purists were surprised by Davis’ oddball and adventurous choices, but the record has proven itself as a significant game-changer. Dedicated to the then-recently deceased Duke Ellington, the album features cameos from an impressive line-up of musicians including Herbie Hancock, Cedric Lawson, John McLaughlin, James Mtume and others.
The first in a triptych of albums (collectively entitled The Perfect Vision), The Peyote Dance sees Patti Smith join experimental musical outfit Soundwalk Collective in a work of tribute to French poet Antonin Artaud. Soundwalk Collective’s founder Stéphan Crasneanscki traveled to the Norogachi municipality of Mexico’s Sierra Tarahumara, where Artaud himself visited in 1936, curious to know whether a peyote shaman from the Rarámuri people could free him of an opioid addiction. Soundwalk Collective recorded in both the village and cave where Artaud lived, capturing sounds earthly and human, delicate and divine. Smith then joined them in studio, back in New York to weave together each track.
Written by music critic Will Hermes, Love Goes to Buildings on Fire: Five Years in New York That Changed Music Forever explores the years in the mid-1970s when NYC was failing as a city, but punk, hip-hop, disco, salsa and jazz were thriving from block to block, borough to borough. Beginning with New Year’s Day in 1973 and ending with New Year’s Eve in 1977, the book is encyclopedic and detailed, and tells the fairytale of various music scenes and the fascinating ways they oftentimes converged in a city that was, in many ways, divided.
Released after Leonard Cohen’s death, the nine-song album Thanks for the Dance finds the artist’s son Adam fleshing out some of his father’s incomplete sonic sketches with the help of several extraordinary collaborators—Bryce Dessner of The National, Damien Rice, Javier Mas, Patrick Watson and Beck included. A startlingly beautiful addition to Cohen’s lengthy portfolio and a labor of love, the album offers finality. This 180g white vinyl pressing is a Barnes & Noble exclusive edition.
Featuring her dramatic delights “Adore You” and “Spotlight,” Jessie Ware’s upcoming fourth studio album What’s Your Pleasure is available for pre-order. With production and writing credits from Kindness, Metronomy’s Joseph Mount, Danny Parker, Benji B and others—along with singer/songwriter Ware herself, of course—the record will officially release on 5 June. If the sultry, hypnotic and infectious singles are teasers, this new album promises to be a lush dose of nu disco.
20 years ago, Kelis released her game-changing debut record Kaleidoscope—an album that synthesized countless genres and dismissed all rules of R&B and pop music. With cosmic sound effects and Middle Eastern influences (among others), the production was done by The Neptunes, while Kelis bounced from rich, smoky jazzy vocals on one track, to whispering on another, and wailing and screaming on the next. This limited edition orange vinyl version of Kaleidoscope features four alternative versions of “Get Along With You” and the radical “Caught Out There.”
A first of its kind in the industry, the Drop + THX “Panda” hi-fi headphones employ planar-ribbon drivers (thanks to THX AAA amp technology) and LDAC bluetooth tech by Sony as part of a proprietary 3P Signal Path to deliver remarkable sound. Available wired or without (at 30 hours of playback), these headphones offer studio-quality audio and a hefty frame comprised of aluminum and luxe leather at a more accessible price than many headphones of a similar caliber. Shipping in June this year, they’re available to purchase on Indiegogo now.
Donnie and Joe Emerson’s superb love song “Baby” is even more romantic on this red, heart-shaped vinyl. Recorded for the brothers’ album Dreamin’ Wild, in 1977, the song finally received the attention and admiration it so deserved 33 years later. Now the album’s standout song, the lo-fi, soulful ballad, has been covered countless times, but the original is available on this kitschy limited edition seven-inch.
This limited edition release of Dan Deacon’s Mystic Familiar album comes on silver vinyl, and with a double-sided poster featuring the record’s cover art by Cristina Daura. As for the music itself, these tracks are unmistakably Dan Deacon: from songs that are dizzyingly buoyant, to those that are unbridled in their energy, chaos and joy. Experimental but accessible, the Baltimore-based artist’s latest album will thrill fans and those new to his music alike.
A collaboration between outerwear brand Stutterheim and Ghostly, the lightweight Stockholm LW Raincoat is ideal for wet, blustery weather during transitional seasons, thanks to its 100% PU build and 100% polyester membrane. The record label’s name is printed four times on the back and their spooky mascot appears in purple on the raincoat’s sleeve. The all-gender raincoat was designed in Sweden and made in Poland.
With a built-in microphone and 40-second sample memory, Teenage Engineering pocket-sized micro-sampler provides hours upon hours of entertainment. Craft your own beats and tunes on this portable device, which offers simple instructions on the back. There are also plenty of helpful tutorials online too.
With six color-coded strings that allow kids (three and up) to learn about rhythm, practice songs, create original melodies and play around with sounds, this little guitar features cheerful, stylish motifs, too. Though it stands at just under 22 inches tall, it’s a proper instrument that sounds just like those made for adults.
With ultra-high definition sound, courtesy of bio-diaphragm speaker units that drastically reduce distortion, AIAIAI’s TMA-2 HD headphones deliver unmatched precision. Their Alcantara-wrapped pads are filled with memory foam that retains the wearer’s ear shape, reducing use-related discomfort and the likelihood of headaches. On a full battery, these will last through 16 hours of playback.
Meant to stimulate the Vagus nerve (a regulatory bodily component that starts within the ear and runs through nearly every organ) while its user listens to music, this tech-forward set—which includes the Xen device, headphones, interchangeable earbuds, a display stand, and the necessary charging accessories—replaces typical listening devices. It connects via Bluetooth to your mobile device and streaming service and offers a proprietary in-ear treatment that improves sleep, enhances focus, and overall wellbeing. The stimulation is painless—equivalent to how it feels to use your usual earbuds. Best results (our testing coaxed on calmer sleep after listening just before bed) are achieved with consistent use.
