Ah, it’s the Christmas season. The Philippines may not have snow, but the nights are now cooler than usual, offering a welcome break from the intense summer heat and the often-flooded rainy season.
If you want to make your evenings even cozier before the celebratory Christmas and the mandatory Noche Buena feast, you can lie on your bed, read a book, or simply vibe with the night, accompanied by your trusty record player and some favorite vinyl.
Billboard Philippines has got your back in choosing which records are perfect to spin that best fit the warm winter nights, along with information on where to purchase them. From Megumi Acorda’s Silver Fairy to Olivia Dean’s The Art of Loving — here are some vinyl recommendations you can spin as you listen through the night.
Olivia Dean — The Art of Loving
Kicking off our list is a pretty hot item. With all the buzz surrounding Olivia Dean’s sophomore record, The Art of Loving, this one will have you saying it’s “the one I need.” If you like your nights mellow yet a bit contemplative about love and relationships, this is the perfect album to put on. Tracks like “Nice to Each Other,” “So Easy (To Fall in Love),” and fan-favorite “Man I Need” set the mood for a relaxed, thoughtful listen. As a side note, you might want to wait for the prices to drop.
Sade — Diamond Life
If you want to smooth operate your way to your record player and break it in with your first-ever vinyl purchase, Sade’s Diamond Life is a perfect choice. The band’s debut album, carried by Sade Adu’s soothing yet haunting vocals, truly shines on vinyl — “Smooth Operator,” especially, feels made for the format. And if you’re an F1 fan, you probably already know the lore surrounding the track and Carlos Sainz, long associated with Ferrari and now racing for Williams. The standard black vinyl pressing costs about PHP 2,000 and up, available at shops like Ted Ellis.
Beach House — Bloom
Shoegaze stans, this one’s for you! Beach House is a fan favorite among the dream-pop crowd, and Bloom shows exactly why. When the opening track “Myth” begins, everything falls into place — the soundscapes and melodies wrap you in the same warm, glowing feeling the holiday season can bring. Whether you’re yearning, longing, or simply immersing yourself in the atmosphere, Bloom is truly best experienced on this format.
Clara Benin — befriending my tears (and then some)
Clara Benin’s extended version of her second studio album, befriending my tears (and then some), is available on Backspacer Records for PHP 2,900. It’s pressed on classic black vinyl and comes with a 12-page lyric booklet, along with original artwork featuring a new layout by Mia Claravall-Reyes. Tracks like “imposter syndrome,” “affable dork,” and “small town” will surely hit different once you drop the needle and grab a nice warm cup of coffee, hot chocolate, or tea. You can never go wrong with Clara’s soothing vocals that are perfect for the season.
Fleetwood Mac — Rumours
Considered a timeless, no-skip album, Fleetwood Mac‘s Rumours is all hits, no misses. The eleventh studio album of the legendary British-American rock band has given us some of the greatest songs of all time in “Dreams,” “The Chain,” and “Go Your Own Way.” There have been a lot of reissues and anniversary pressings, so you have a lot of options. You might even stumble upon pre-owned copies from record collectors online. Additionally, if you’re a fan looking for “Silver Springs,” which was originally intended to appear on the album, unfortunately, you’re not in luck. As of this writing, the heartbreaking track written by Stevie Nicks about the breakup of her tumultuous relationship with Lindsey Buckingham doesn’t appear on later vinyl releases of the album. However, it does appear on other formats such as CD.
Megumi Acorda — Silver Fairy
OPM dream pop’s finest, Megumi Acorda‘s Silver Fairy, evokes a dreamy and contemplative experience that captures the late warm nights of the month. Some nights just call for relaxation, and maybe playing this record might stir some emotions. If you’re a fan of the band and you don’t own this on vinyl, what are you waiting for? On the other hand, if you’re looking to expand your OPM music taste, then treat yourself to an early Christmas present, and owning this record is the way to go. Luckily, there are a handful of avenues for you to get your hands on Silver Fairy on vinyl. It is available on their official online shop for PHP 1,800 and in other record stores.
ALYSON — DEFINITELY LOVE!
ALYSON‘s debut record DEFINITELY LOVE! pours all the love into the genre while blending in distinct OPM influences. Surely, vibing to their track “Summer Nights” isn’t just made for the summer season. When you’re in the mood to dance and get into the groove, you’ll definitely want this on your turntable. It’s available on Offshore Music’s shop for PHP 1,900.
Cigarettes After Sex – Cigarettes After Sex
Last but definitely not least, Cigarettes After Sex‘s self-titled debut record contains some of the band’s fan-favorite tracks such as “Apocalypse,” “K.,” and “Truly.” Their songs are instant picks for those who love to revel in their heartbreaks, longing, and most especially, yearning. However, if you’re all going for that vibe, spinning this on your turntable makes for a complete experience. When you’re on the hunt for the opaque white pressing, you might find them on online marketplaces and record stores.