Be it battling over the office Sonos system or sharing our favorite tracks every day, music holds an important position in our lives. Beyond searching for new artists and discovering interesting or obscure tunes, we also seek out equipment to make the listening (and music-making) experience even better—from speakers to headphones, synths and more. Of course, as music lovers with curious minds, our interest doesn’t end with a song—frequently it stretches to books, anthologies and beyond. Find it all here—in our guide for makers, listeners and lovers of music.
Legendary DJ/producer/composer Jeff Mills (aka The Wizard) is commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 landing by releasing a conceptual album inspired by the moon. Available as a double-LP (or on CD), the record, called Moon — The Area of Influence, will be made up of Mills’ nuanced, cinematic and Detroit-rooted techno. In his words, “This album and the imagination that helped to produce it should be considered as a proposition with open-endedness and no foreseeable conclusion. It is a chemistry of facts and feelings based on then, now and forever.” Set for release 19 July, it’s available for pre-order now.
Mother Earth’s Plantasia, originally released in 1976 by beloved composer/songwriter and electronic music pioneer Mort Garson, is a wildly sought-after record—having only been available in very limited numbers at LA’s Mother Earth store (with a purchase of a house plant) and at Sears. The album was composed on a Moog synthesizer with plants as the intended audience. Now, Sacred Bones Records is reissuing the cult album—with the option of a limited green and white “Spider Plant” vinyl. Each record comes with a reprint of the original booklet and with new liner notes.
The next generation of Ultimate Ears’ Wonderboom is the Wonderboom 2: while still portable, Bluetooth-capable, long-lasting and loud, this new iteration has some unbeatable features. New to this iteration is stereo-pairing with another Wonderboom 2, some 13 hours of playback, and a new fabric exterior. We especially enjoy its “outdoor mode,” which equalizes the speaker’s output and ultimately improves its ability to cut through noise (like chatter, cars or other nearby speakers) and is activated with a button on the speaker’s bottom panel. Available for pre-order now, the Wonderboom 2 is available in four colorways and is water- and dust-proof.
Ghostly (one of our favorite record labels) is celebrating its 20th anniversary, and has released a bunch of merch to mark the occasion. Our pick from the collection is this six-panel cap, designed by LA-based Justin Sloane. Crafted from nylon (so it’s lightweight and perfect for warmer weather), it’s made in the USA and embroidered with Ghostly’s 20th anniversary logo—which, of course, features their trademark spook.
Written by respected English music journalist Jon Savage, This searing light, the sun and everything else: Joy Division: The Oral History is essential reading for music fans. Detailing the pioneering band’s existence (from 1976 to 1980), Savage draws from interviews with surviving band members—Peter Hook, Stephen Morris and Bernard Sumner—and contemporaries including their manager Rob Gretton, Factory Records co-founder Tony Wilson, art designer Peter Saville and others. This comprehensive and chronological account of the wildly influential post-punk band offers insights and stories never heard before.
Equipped with Google’s Voice Assistant and Active Noise-Cancelling tech, Master & Dynamic’s new MW65 headphones are available now—and look, feel and sound fantastic. The MW65 melds this ANC technology with their established line without compromising the sound quality they’ve come to be known for. In spite of all the features, they’re easy to set up and manage. Additionally, they come with a 3.5mm cord in case the battery dies and a pouch to stow accessories.
Solange’s 19-track When I Get Home is available on clear vinyl, for those who enjoy the ritual and sound of real-life records. With tracks featuring Sampha, Panda Bear, Tyler the Creator, The-Dream, Abra, Dev Hynes and others, it’s a lush album that waxes and wanes effortlessly between ballads, interludes and beyond.
The first collaboration between Actual Source and Ghostly, this new limited edition crewneck is printed on the front (combining both logos) and embroidered on the reverse. Both brands are celebrating this year, with music and art company Ghostly’s 20th anniversary and publisher, brand and retailer Actual Source hitting five years as an independent publisher. The sweater is made in the USA from 98% cotton and is pre-washed to avoid shrinking, and is available from small to XL.
Made in collaboration with Kvadrat and Raf Simons, B&O’s new headphone case is made from Ria 0281 fabric—new worsted-spun wool with just a little nylon and viscose. The organic-looking pattern reflects the sustainable nature of the material, and the fabric-covered inner helps to protect your headphones. With a simple zip closure, this case is a super-practical but sophisticated accessory.
For fans of electronic music, design or all things retro, Beyond Heaven: Chicago House Party Flyers from 1983-1989 will deliver the goods. Collected by Mario “Liv It Up” Luna (who DJed in the city during the ’80s), these flyers, posters and various other house-related artifacts create a personal but comprehensive perspective on the wildly creative and exciting scene.
Recorded at the famed Electric Lady Studios (built by Jimi Hendrix and designed by architect and acoustician John Storyk), Electric Lady Sessions includes live versions of several LCD Soundsystem tracks, as well as a few covers. With tracks like Heaven 17’s “We Don’t Need This Fascist Groove Thang” and The Human League’s “Seconds,” the record offers extra insight into the band’s new wave and synthpop influences. An essential for LCD fans, this two-vinyl set comes with a DFA lightning bolt sticker.
Playing Johannes Brahms’ “Wiegenlied” (better known as Brahms’ Lullaby or “The Cradle Song”) this strange and sweet octopus has been made to help babies get to sleep. Produced with 100% cotton chambray, it’s easily wiped clean. The 11.8-inch tall creature is also soft—in case a young one gets a hold of it.
The legendary Marshall Stanmore II speaker gets a 21st-century addition: Amazon Alexa-controlled operations. This incredibly versatile speaker, from the brand’s classic roster, is renowned for crisp audio—thanks to its two 15 Watt class D amplifiers—and its heritage-inspired look (fit with an “EST. 1962” etched into its front). Listeners can now ask Alexa to change the song, adjust the volume or even provide information for upcoming shows from the track’s maker—all from across the room.
Working with Prince during the late 1970s and early ’80s, photographer Allen Beaulieu documented a wildly significant time for the multi-disciplined artist—from emerging talent to household name. Prince: Before the Rain is filled with behind-the-scenes, candid, live performance and never-seen-before images—all offering insight on the remarkable artist, and the significant era in which he became an internationally beloved superstar.
Covered with that familiar, friendly ghost character, Ghostly’s V2 swim shorts are a stylish way to rep the Brooklyn-based music and art brand. Made in Canada from 100% quick-dry polyester and with reinforced pockets, they’re super-functional and can go from beach to backyard BBQ with ease. Available from small to extra-large, the elasticized waistband and drawstring also means sizing is easy.
This two-book feature, DEVO: The Brand / DEVO: Unmasked, follows the immeasurably influential and oddball band. Tracking the new-wave outfit’s inception to the present day, both books track founding members Mark Mothersbaugh and Jerry Casale. Insight is offered through interviews with both British and American publications in The Brand and first-hand recounts in Unmasked. The set is the perfect gift for music historians and DEVO fans alike.
