Laura Marling: A Hard Rain’s A Gonna Fall (Bob Dylan Cover)

Laura Marling’s cover of Bob Dylan’s “A Hard Rain’s A Gonna Fall” has a way of cradling listeners with airy, powerful optimism in the face of adversity. While the lyrics address tragedy, troubling experiences and even triumph, Marling’s take feels much like words of encouragement. Crystalline pools of depth support the surface beauty, for a track that’s really quite the adventure itself.

Rapsody: Sassy

From Rapsody (aka North Carolina MC Marlanna Evans) comes a fresh, powerful video for “Sassy,” her Grammy-nominated turn—for best rap song. It’s a joyous party track, from this year’s Laila’s Wisdom album, and the video not only matches expectations but over-delivers with nothing short of sassiness.

Photographer Jesse Rieser’s “Christmas in America”

Beginning seven years ago, photographer Jesse Rieser began taking pictures of how Americans celebrate Christmas. Rather than traditional or corny, Rieser’s images capture delightfully outrageous decorations. From a house covered in deflated Santa Clauses and Christmas trees to a broken neon sign saying “Happy Birthday Jesus,” these photos offer an enchanting look at the holidays across the United States. See more over at Booooooom.