The Album a Day Club | December 2024 Playlist
Where we listen to a record a day, every day.
I almost debated skipping this roundup — baby on the way any minute now, family in town, and work piling up. But then I hit play on the monthly playlist and thought, “No way I’m keeping all this musical goodness to myself!” I’m a man of the people, after all. So, here we are — diving into a curated mix of new releases, vinyl reissues, milestone anniversaries, and plenty of rabbit holes to get lost in. As always, my hope is you’ll find some fresh favorites and reconnect with some old ones. Let’s get into it!
Some of the vinyl releases and sales highlighted in this newsletter have already sold out — some within minutes of release. For up-to-the-second deals and drops, join over 17,000 record collectors and follow Vinyl on Sale, the Internet’s #1 vinyl resource! Turn on notifications — your collection will thank you.
The Album a Day Club | December 2024 Playlist
Stream: Spotify | Apple
To listen along to the Album a Day Club, follow the daily master playlist, or join the January playlist already in progress.
December 1: The Olivia Tremor Control - Dusk at Cubist Castle (1996)
Get Vinyl: Black
Athens' indie rock icons The Olivia Tremor Control left fans reeling this Black Friday. After a 13-year hiatus, the band dropped two new singles — “Garden of Light” and “The Same Place” — as part of The Elephant 6 Recording Co. documentary soundtrack. But the joy of new music was short-lived when it was revealed that co-founder Will Cullen Hart passed away from a heart attack that same morning at the age of 53. A bittersweet day. RIP to Hart and fellow co-founder Bill Doss — thanks for all the beautiful, timeless tunes! For a deeper dive on these new tracks, check out
’s great piece at Past Prime.December 2: Robber Robber - Wild Guess (2024)
Get Vinyl: Black
I discovered Robber Robber from
’s great highlights from the year playlist and instantly fell in love with the hypnotic rhythm of “Sea or War.”December 3: Kneecap - Fine Art (2024)
Get Vinyl: Tri-Color
Kneecap’s Fine Art bursts onto the scene with a rebellious jolt of energy. The Northern Irish trio fuses classic hip-hop beats with Irish folk and rave, all underscored by political lyrics calling for the preservation of Gaelic and the expulsion of England from Ireland. Their unapologetic humor and fresh sound make this debut a standout, bringing a spotlight to an often-overlooked area and language. Also be sure to check out their hilarious semi-biopic, now streaming on Netflix.
December 4: Happy Diving - Big World (2014)
Get Vinyl: Space Ooze
I had an absolute blast headbanging to the debut from East Bay’s Happy Diving, who are celebrating ten years of Big World with a long-overdue vinyl reissue — it’s been out of print since its 2014 release.
December 5: Julia Holter - Something In The Room She Moves (2024)
Get Vinyl: Red | Black
“I was trying to create a world that’s fluid-sounding, waterlike, evoking the body’s internal sound world,” Julia Holter explains of her sixth album Something In the Room She Moves for Domino. This is especially clear on the album’s centerpiece, “Spinning,” where the beat sounds like the steady pounding of a heart.
The album’s somatic nature is no accident, as Holter wrote these songs while pregnant — even using her child’s ultrasound in “Evening Mood.”
Something In the Room She Moves is beautifully dense, with chaotic arrangements colliding with the soothing flow of jazz instrumentals. There’s a purposeful madness behind it all. And for those grabbing the vinyl, the tracklist is purposely shuffled, a signature move Holter has used before.
December 6: Neon Indian - Psychic Chasms (2009)
Get Vinyl: Mind Drips | Black
The 15th-anniversary edition of Neon Indian's debut album, Psychic Chasms, is the Vinyl Me, Please Essentials Record of the Month for December 2024. The chillwave classic is every bit as stunning in person as the mockup promised.
December 7: Lapgan - History (2023)
Get Vinyl: Green Splatter
Heems’ LAFANDAR has been a staple in my rotation all year, and diving into its producer Lapgan's debut History was a natural next step. The Chicago-based beatmaker reimagines the sounds of India, weaving samples from Bollywood, Tamil film scores, and Bengali religious music into a progressive, personal tapestry of beats. History is a sonic thesis — a defiant rejection of colonialism, built with intricate drum arrangements and layered soundscapes that’ll excite anyone who loves deep crate digging.
December 8: Good Morning - Good Morning Seven (2024)
Get Vinyl: Yellow and Blue Splatter | Blue
This is my first time listening to Good Morning, and Good Morning Seven (they ain’t lying — this is their seventh album) makes for a stellar introduction. In 2024, the Australian indie duo dropped not one, but two albums, and Good Morning Seven is a 51-minute double album enhances their guitar-driven sound with a blend of keyboards, synths, and chamber pop. Tracks like “Ahhhh (This Isn’t Ideal),” “Monster of the Week,” and “Excalibur” are the standouts.
December 9: Good Morning - The Accident (2024)
Get Vinyl: Black
Still on my Good Morning shit. The eight minute closer is the highlight here.
December 10: Cymande - Promised Heights (1974)
Get Vinyl: Pink
Here’s to Cymande, the Guyana and Jamaica-born band that took London by storm in the early ’70s, leaving a lasting mark on the Afro-soul scene.
2024 marks the 50th anniversary of Promised Heights, the final chapter of their legendary three-album run, which also includes their 1972 self-titled debut and 1973’s Second Time Around. While the entire album is a treasure trove of soulful rhythms, “Brothers on the Slide” alone is worth the price of admission — for my money, one of the best funk tracks ever recorded.
December 11: Ekko Astral - pink balloons (2024)
Get Vinyl: Head Empty Blue
Yesterday’s Chapo Trap House featured journalist Jael Holzman, who recently penned a piece for Rolling Stone about the potential threats to trans people under a second Trump administration. During the episode, I learned that Jael is also the frontwoman for D.C.’s Ekko Astral, a band I’d heard of but hadn’t checked out yet. Their April release, pink balloons (out on Topshelf Records), is a raw mix of noise rock and pop-punk that the band dubs “mascara mosh pit.” The lyrics hit hard, shifting from politically charged barbs to irreverent humor. It’s an impressive debut full of surprises.
December 12: MGMT - Loss of Life (2024)
Get Vinyl: Prismatic Splatter | Blue Jay | Opaque Pink | Black
As I finalized my 100 Best Records of 2024 list and honed in on my top 10, I gave MGMT’s Loss of Life another spin to make sure I wasn’t out of my mind. After all, The Wax Museum is the only publication I could find with MGMT anywhere near the top — let alone in the top 50 or 100. I’m baffled by the oversight, but I’m confident this album will age like a fine wine and be looked back on fondly.
December 13: The National - Rome (2024)
Get Vinyl: White | Black
This was a no-brainer purchase for me: The National’s first-ever live album, recorded at The Cavea of the Auditorium Parco della Musica Ennio Morricone in Rome on June 3, 2024. As one of my favorite live bands, I’m hoping they keep touring for decades to come so I can take my kids to see them. Be sure to check out the full-length fan video collage, it's a fun and immersive experience.
December 14: Killarmy - Silent Weapons for Quiet Wars (1997)
Get Vinyl: Emerald Smoke
For the first time ever, Killarmy’s landmark debut Silent Weapons for Quiet Wars gets a vinyl reissue thanks to VMP. This album, part of the Wu-Tang Clan’s extended universe, features a gritty, post-Desert Storm vibe, blending sharp political commentary with war imagery to create a fierce, cinematic sound. A true product of the 90s that can never be duplicated.
December 15: D’Angelo - Black Messiah (2014)
Get Vinyl: Black
Happy ten years to Black Messiah, which is still shockingly D’Angelo’s latest album. Come back to us D’Angelo!
December 16: Thursday - Full Collapse (2001)
Get Vinyl: 3 LP | Black
I’m going back through Thursday’s discography as I just finished frontman Geoff Rickly’s quasi-memoir Someone Who Isn’t Me, featuring Rickly’s real life tale as a heroin addict who goes to Mexico to try to get off drugs by ingesting the psychoactive plant ibogaine. Highly recommended, trippy read that’s surprisingly hard to find online. I grabbed a copy at my local record store Park Ave CDs.
December 17: Grover Washington - Anthology (1985)
Get Vinyl: Black
Today I went down a Grover Washington Jr. rabbit hole. The saxophonist died 25 years ago today; he suffered a heart attack hours after performing on CBS's Saturday Early Show. Here’s his final performance:
December 18: Dr. Dre - 2001 (1999)
Get Vinyl: Clear and Green (sold out)
After 275 Albums of the Day, it's about time we shine the spotlight on Dr. Dre’s iconic 2001 (aka The Chronic II). Interscope is celebrating 25 years of this masterpiece with a special anniversary edition on clear and green vinyl, with a new artwork housed in a zip-lock baggy jacket. Limited to just 2001 units worldwide, this essential release sold out within minutes today.
December 19: Corinne Bailey Rae - Black Rainbows (2023)
Get Vinyl: Clear
Corinne Bailey Rae’s stunning transformation on Black Rainbows delivered one of my favorite albums of 2023, and at just $11.50 (as of this writing), it’s an absolute steal. I couldn't resist adding it to my collection.
December 20: Anberlin - Never Take Friendship Personal (2005)
Get Vinyl: Baby Blue and Deep Purple | Royal Blue and Hot Pink
At long last, Anberlin’s Never Take Friendship Personal gets its first-ever colored vinyl reissue, marking the first pressing in years. OG copies were fetching over $250, so this new release is a win for fans. If you were a Christian millennial rocking out in the 2000s, you probably had bands like Switchfoot, Relient K, and P.O.D. on your playlist — but for my money, Anberlin was the standout. While I may have outgrown most of those bands, this album still holds up.
December 21: Broadcast - The Noise Made By People (2000)
Get Vinyl: Red
This 25th anniversary edition of Broadcast's debut album is on color vinyl for the first time ever, courtesy of Warp and VMP. This release celebrates both the anniversary of their groundbreaking debut and the 20th anniversary of Tender Buttons, which is VMP’s Essentials Record for January. While VMP gets a ton of shit, they are all over this month’s Album of the Day Club with a slew of solid releases.
December 22: Broadcast - Tender Buttons (2005)
Get Vinyl: Magenta & Cyan (sold out)
The last and best Broadcast album finally gets the release it deserves.
December 23: Lunchbox - Pop and Circumstance (2024)
Get Vinyl: Bubblegum Pink
I’m a sucker for other artists’ “favorite albums of 2024” lists, and Brooklyn Vegan delivered with Perennial’s picks — with Pop and Circumstance by Lunchbox taking the top spot. At just 30 minutes, it packs in massive pop hooks and an irresistibly nostalgic, feel-good energy that hits all the right notes.
December 24: Manchester Orchestra - Christmas Songs Vol. 1 (2021)
Get Vinyl: Blue | Red
One of my favorite Christmas albums from one of my favorite rock bands. Andy Hull’s voice perfectly captures the melancholy and heft of the holidays, making this cover album a must-listen every year. Plus, when you buy it on Bandcamp, all proceeds go to the Atlanta Mission, the city’s largest provider of services to homeless men, women, and children.
December 25: Bob Dylan - Christmas in the Heart (2009)
Get Vinyl: Red | Black
Merry Christmas and a Happy Bob Dylan Day! A Complete Unknown hits theaters today, and I’ve got to shout out young Bob Dylan, Timothée Chalamet. The actor had a legendary press run, surprising everyone as a ball knower on College GameDay and creating memorable interviews with Theo Von, Brittany Broski, and the one and only Nardwuar.
December 26: Eyes Wide Shut (Music From The Motion Picture) (1999)
Get Vinyl: Purple and Blue Swirl
Gather the family for the ultimate heartwarming Christmas movie — Eyes Wide Shut! Stanley Kubrick’s final film features previously existing tracks and classical pieces, but also four original, unsettling pieces recorded specifically for the film by composer Jocelyn Pook.
The movie has been making waves again recently, due to Roger Avary and Quentin Tarantino’s appearance on Joe Rogan’s podcast. Avary has the shooting script and believes the movie was drastically recut after Kubrick’s suspicious death, adding another layer of intrigue to this enigmatic masterpiece.
December 27: Whirr - Raw Blue (2024) and Feels Like You (2019)
Get Vinyl: Raw Blue | Feels Like You
A double dose of Whirr today as the Modesto shoegaze band dropped a surprise album under the Bandcamp tree this Christmas morning. (It’s exclusively available for streaming on Bandcamp.) For my money, Raw Blue is their most refined and cohesive album to date — a perfect gift for fans of lush, contemplative beauty.
December 28: Boldy James & Harry Fraud - The Bricktionary (2024)
Get Vinyl: Orange and Red Smoke
A year after surviving a near-fatal car crash that left him with fractured vertebrae, Detroit rapper Boldy James has bounced back with a vengeance, dropping three full-lengths in 2024, each crafted with a different producer. While Penalty of Leadership with Nicholas Craven is my personal favorite (and a well-deserved spot in my top 100 Albums of the Year), November's The Bricktionary with Harry Fraud is every bit as smooth, delivering that signature, silky flow with effortless ease.
December 29: Cameron Winter - Heavy Metal (2024)
Get Vinyl: Heavy Metal
Arriving at the 2024 buzzer, Geese frontman Cameron Winter drops his solo debut Heavy Metal, a striking contrast to the playful, eccentric vibe of Geese's recent 3D Country. Winter’s voice — one of rock’s most unforgettable — carries you through the album with hypnotic intensity. Throughout Heavy Metal, he sounds on the verge of a complete breakdown. Where Geese brought joyfully experimental energy, Winter’s solo effort is a much more somber, reflective journey, exploring themes of sickness and death with haunting ballads.
December 30: Beeef - Somebody’s Favorite (2024)
Get Vinyl: Baby Blue
Shoutout
at for turning me on to Boston basement rock band Beeef and their newest album “Somebody’s Favorite.” The easy-going vibes had me hooked all day.December 31: Girl Talk - Feed the Animals (2008)
Get Vinyl: Swamp Green
We’re closing out 2024 with a bang, blasting Girl Talk’s legendary mashup album Feed the Animals. With the baby arriving any day now, we kept our New Year’s Eve low-key with a Yahtzee! marathon, good company, and plenty of upbeat vibes.
And as luck would have, just today, Feed the Animals and All Day have been restocked on Girl Talk’s shop — perfect for all your home dance party needs.
Another month in the books! Thanks as always for stopping by. As I mentioned, I have a baby on the way, so I may be off the grid for a week or two. But don't worry, I’ll be back with bags under my eyes and plenty of new music to share. :)
Thanks for embedding the full Chalamet/ Nardwuar—I’d seen the roll but never bothered to look up the rest. Such a relaxed yet unhinged + extensive treat!
Congrats in advance on the new arrival! I remember the electricity of those last few weeks, days hours before the baby arrived.