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.
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.
First published to accompany Jason Moran’s exhibit at the Walker Art Center in 2018, this 272 page book marks the first in-depth exploration of his work and practice. A pianist, composer, visual artist, and frequent collaborator, Moran abides by no rules with regard to the confines of medium—resulting in work that teeters somewhere between jazz history, performance art and sculpture. Fit for music fans and art lovers alike, the Whitney Museum store is selling copies to coincide with his fall 2019 exhibition there.
Intended to add depth to streamed media, DropLabs EP 01 sneakers employ vibrations in their soles to accompany audio you’re listening to. Not intended to be used in high-intensity workouts or during sports, these find best use in situations where you’re focused exclusively on what you’re listening to. Whether it be while watching a movie on the plane, in the gym (doing toning work), or during a gaming session, the vibrations pick up the deep bass on hard-hitting tracks and the high-hats on jazz tunes—plus every little detail in horror flicks or action games. They’re both good-looking and comfortable, too. Pre-orders ship between mid-December and early January depending on the selected size.
Billed as the world’s smallest record player, this Ghostly edition Stokyo Record Runner laps the grooves of 33 1⁄3 rpm records, amplifying sound out of its internal speaker. The underside of the van bears a stylus and a cartridge system, which picks up the songs encoded below. It’s self-propelling for up to 90 minutes of playtime, courtesy of two AAA batteries. Though this playful, pocket-sized record player is good looking, it’s not recommended for your best records or overuse, as unexpected bumps could cause scratches.
For anybody interested in analog technologies and music, Gideon Schwartz’s Hi-Fi: The History of High-End Audio Design offers a deep dive into the history and renaissance of lo-fi audio. From Bang & Olufsen’s glorious wire recorder from 1947, the Beocord 84U, to the stunning Clearaudio Statement V2 turntable from 2008, and so many more, the products highlighted within this 272-page book are some of the most beautifully designed devices in the world. Audio fans will be delighted by the countless turntables, reel-to-reels, vacuum tubes, amplifiers, speakers and more.
Written by former jazz and pop critic at The New York Times, Nate Chinen, Playing Changes: Jazz for the New Century is a definitive guide to the genre from the past to the present. While today’s jazz may be different, it’s rooted in the same ideals and ethos, and Chinen argues for its continued relevance while highlighting some contemporary talent. He does this while educating readers on the genre’s illustrious and influential past.
As Bluetooth earbuds and headphones become more prevalent, many users are now accustomed to frustration when confronted by entertainment systems on airplanes, in gyms or rental cars. Allowing you to connect your wireless headphones to these screens is the AirFly Pro: a dongle that plugs into a standard jack. This little gadget can wirelessly connect to two sets of headphones and has a 16+ hour battery, so your next long-haul flight or gym session can be as entertaining as ever.
Warp Records celebrates its 30th anniversary this year, and the “post-genre” label unveiled the epic WXAXRXP SESSIONS box set in celebration. This hinged box comes filled with 10 sessions recorded for radio (each on 12-inch vinyl) spanning the brand’s vast history—from the Peel Sessions of the ’90s right up to this year’s broadcast on NTS. There are also eight prints by Synchrodogs, and a sticker set. Settle in for hours of music by Flying Lotus, Bibio, Aphex Twin and others.
