Put a Record On: Second Chances, Seasons Greetings & Sad Ass Songs

Plus, a holiday sale on subscriptions - and some Don't Rock the Inbox merch!

Welcome back to Don’t Rock the Inbox! Here’s this week’s music recommendation post and playlist, which are for paying subscribers only. Subscribe to get access to all our new (and old) music picks and pans, and so much more .

And, big news, we’re having a holiday sale all month long: 20% off annual subscriptions plus a Don’t Rock the Inbox Koozie and Sticker while supplies last! We’ve had a blast growing this newsletter over the past year, and couldn’t do it without your support.

Now, on to the picks…

The Good

“Cigarettes,” Laci Kaye Booth: “The same champagne that they bought me, I popped it when they dropped me,” sings Laci Kaye Booth on “Cigarettes,” her first single for Geffen Records. Who are the jerks who dropped her, and what on earth is wrong with them? Anyway, I’ve become a little obsessed with Booth’s musical instagram posts for the past couple months, where she usually plays something acoustic in a stairwell, so I’m very grateful to have an actual recording to listen to now. Somehow she mixes the extremely ethereal with rootsy Texas country, in perfect balance. This is so vulnerable I was almost taken aback, then went back for more. The next big thing, if I get to decide, and I ain’t full of smoke. Thank heavens for second chances. - MM

Laci Kaye Booth by Natalie Sakstrup

Cross-Legged By the Fireplace, Jordyn Shellhart: You already know how much we love Christmas music here at this (Jewish-run) newsletter, and Jordyn Shellhart is one of my favorite still-far-too-under-the-radar new artists of this year. On this little Christmas EP she tackles Joni Mitchell’s “River” rather delightfully, plus a few other sweet gems. More “Christmas Makes Me Cry” vibes than A Johnny Mathis jam, but I like it that way (thought don’t get me wrong, “Sleigh Ride” is a masterpiece for the ages). - MM