Nat King Cole

From new Radiohead, Grimes, and LCD Soundsystem, to The Beatles finally appearing on streaming services, Christmas 2015 has been incredible for music lovers worldwide. For me, one of the most treasured musical gifts this year comes from Lauryn Hill, who has released a cover of Nat King Cole's "A Cradle In Bethlehem." As Pitchfork notes, the track was actually first written in the 1920s, but the most iconic version was recorded by Nat King Cole in 1960 -- listen here.  As you might expect, Hill's version is exquisite, showcasing her polished, inimitably sensual vocals. Behind her melody lies joyous backing vocals and evocative instrumental layers, all forming a soulful, festive atmosphere. It's been far too long since we've heard new music from Lauryn Hill. While this isn't an original track, we can only hope to hear some more new music throughout 2016.