The Best Vinyl to Spin This December

Blue and Lonesome, by the Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones began their incredible music career as a covers band with great taste (especially with Chuck Berry songs), and their newest album sees them return to that well one more time. Blue and Lonesome is notable for having no guitar work from Mick Jagger, who focuses on singing and harmonica, and no lead vocal from Keith Richards. Since everyone is devoting full concentration to what they’re best at, this album is a full-speed ahead romp from a group of blues-rock veterans; standout tracks include their versions of Howlin’ Wolf’s “Commit a Crime” and Eddie Taylor’s “Ride ‘Em On Down.”

Before the Dawn, by Kate Bush
Before the Dawn is more than just a live album. It’s a whopper of a four-disc set chronicling Kate Bush’s 22-day residency at London’s Hammersmith Apollo, which also marked the first time she’d really performed live since her first tour in 1979. The shows themselves were a multimedia smorgasboard of dancing, puppets, 3D animation, shadow and mask work, illusions, and of course Bush’s music at the forefront. Her performances—and those of her band—are a rush of energy from the first note of “Lily” to the final notes of “Cloudbursting” four discs later. This is a deep, ambitious, and flat-out fun album that really does deserve to be called a masterpiece.

Tony Celebrates 90, by Tony Bennett
This album is a companion to Tony Bennett’s official 90th birthday celebration at Radio City Music Hall, and is a star-studded affair only someone with his legacy could command. Lady Gaga, who recorded an album of duets with Bennett, sings “The Lady Is a Tramp” and “La Vie En Rose,” Michael Bublé comes in for “The Good Life,” House of Cards star Kevin Spacey sings “The Very Thought of You/If I Ruled the World,” and even Elton John and Stevie Wonder show up, singing “Visions” and “Can You Feel the Love Tonight,” respectively. Of course, Bennett sings a couple of songs too (just try and stop him), including a duet of “New York State of Mind” with Billy Joel.

Joanne, by Lady Gaga
Fans of Lady Gaga have undoubtedly noticed a transition in the singer’s career as of late, as she subdues her highly theatrical media image and focuses more on her singing ability, which is nearly unparalleled in pop music. Joanne is a product of this change, and focuses on more personal subject matter, specifically the death of her aunt Joanne, the album’s namesake. And, fittingly, it shows off Gaga’s fantastic voice. Not that she completely forsakes her established brand of unorthodox dance pop—“Perfect Illusion” is classic Gaga in this respect—but on tracks like “Sinner’s Prayers” and “Angel Down,” she embraces her substance as much as her style.

You Want it Darker, by Leonard Cohen
Leonard Cohen sadly left us in 2016, and You Want It Darker turned out to be his final album. Recorded in his living room, this record is sparse and acoustic by necessity, but also a thoughtful and strangely funny meditation on death and the nature of God. Like David Bowie’s Blackstar, the circumstances behind this album are evident throughout, and add a lot of emotional resonance (as well as a bit of sinister intent) to Cohen’s deep, stoic vocals. This is especially true on the album’s title track, and on songs like “Leaving the Table,” whose implications are obvious, and “It Seemed the Better Way.”

The Stage, by Avenged Sevenfold
The Stage, Avenged Sevenfold’s first album with their new drummer, ex–Bad Religion drummer Brooks Wackerman, is a concept album about artificial intelligence’s impact on society. It’s also their longest studio record to date, with their longest song to date (the 15-minute “Exist”), and blends the complex song structures of progressive metal with the aggression and blast beats of classic thrash. These efforts to expand their sound haven’t gone unnoticed by critics, and The Stage has gotten widespread praise since its release. “Higher” and “Roman Sky” are the album’s most ambitious tracks, featuring orchestrated and choral sections, and “Exist” hosts a cameo by none other than Neil DeGrasse Tyson.

The Wonder of You, by Elvis Presley
The Wonder Of You is another pairing of archival vocal recordings of Elvis Presley with new arrangements by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Elvis’ voice fits the Philharmonic’s lush orchestration like a glove, and together they breathe new life into his rock and gospel standards. Songs like “A Big Hunk O’ Love,” “Suspicious Minds,” and “Kentucky Rain” were made for a collaboration like this, and it’s a shame Elvis never had the chance to do it when he was alive; he was a fan of opera, and his concert hall–sized voice would have been perfect for it. If you don’t believe us, listen to the version of “Amazing Grace” on this record. We’ll wait.