So this is the “new normal?” Or is it a return to the “old normal?” Either way, regardless of how you spent this past year, regardless of your thoughts on the world, politics, and economics of the world, furrowing your eyebrows at this or that or embracing all the necessary and arguably unnecessary changes in the world, one needs a constant personal and universal soundtrack to keep going, to keep sane, to keep grounded and inspired. As the newest round of the holiday season gets ready to dawn upon us, music not only acts as the perfect and always obvious choices for even the most discriminating of tastes, but also something that brings much-needed relief and communion to end another challenging year and brace everyone for what lies ahead in 2022. So as always, here’s my picks for some of the sonic highlights released this year, spanning all genres and tastes.

Check out our 2021 Holiday Gift Guide for Music.

Not only is the Netflix original series Stranger Things a great new show you should definitely check out if you haven’t already, but it’s also perfect for mash-ups! No surprise given the overflowing ’80s nostalgia the show delivers.

A pair of mash-ups have arrived in the past month or so. The first brings the characters of Stranger Things into the animated world of Peanuts for a Charlie Brown Christmas mash-up. The second takes a song by Donald Glover’s Childish Gambino and sets it to that memorable Stranger Things theme. Both of these mash-ups can be enjoyed below.

The most wonderful time of the year is once again upon us. The Christmas season is here and with that comes Christmas TV episodes!

For the 25 days leading up til Christmas Day this month, we’ll be spotlighting some of the best Christmas-themed episodes from some of Geek culture’s greatest shows. Each day we’ll cover different shows and episodes and encourage you to watch along with us. So come one, come all, to the 25 Days of Geek TV Christmas!

Saturday, December 18th, 2010 – Day 18: A Charlie Brown Christmas

Directed by: Bill Melendez
Written by: Charles M. Schulz
Starring: Ann Altieri, Chris Doran, Sally Dryer, Bill Melendez, Karen Mendelson, Peter Robbins, Christopher Shea, Kathy Steinberg, and Tracy Stratford
Original Air Date: December 9, 1965

You can stream the episode over at Hulu or watch it right here below! You can also purchase a copy of the episode at Amazon or iTunes.