One More Time by Aerosmith and YUNGBLUD (released Nov. 21, 2025) This EP is the first music project by iconic rock band Aerosmith in twelve years. That speaks enough to the credibility YUNGBLUD has amassed among the hard rock community in the past few years. From alternative post-hardcore, or even pop-rock, to working with hard rock Hall of Famers, YUNGBLUD has really redefined himself.

That makes One More Time one of the most surprising releases of the past year, but not necessarily the most exciting. The album is a good old rock record. Aerosmith acts as a background and launchpad for YUNGBLUD, showing off his newly discovered powerful rock vocals. The songs are nostalgic, perhaps to appeal to an older generation of rockers. The Gen Z fans of hard rock might also find it fun. The collaboration may be seamless, but beyond that, the album has little excitement to offer. One can only hope that this is just the beginning of something new and not just an attempt at a back-to-the-future-ing of hard rock.

Cheek to Cheek by Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga (released on Sept. 19, 2014) This album is not only an unexpected musical collaboration but an unexpected friendship. Jazz legend Tony Bennett opened a whole new world to Lady Gaga. While the majority of the younger generation never doubted Lady Gaga’s vocal abilities, Cheek to Cheek gave her the opportunity to prove herself to the older mustache-curling jazz elitists. Post-album, Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga remained close friends and spoke highly of each other in a way that introduced jazz to younger generations, just because of how both artists started influencing each other's platforms. This collaboration proved so fruitful to both that it inspired another record, Love for Sale, released in 2021. At the time of recording the songs, from 2018 to 2021, Bennett was openly battling Alzheimer’s. Lady Gaga revealed in a “60 Minutes” interview that the moment she walked on the stage during their Live at Radio City Music Hall performance in 2021 and Bennett introduced her by name was the first time he recognized her in a long, long time. Watching this performance knowing this makes the music and the friendship between these iconic artists all the more special.

The Red Bull Symphonic (released periodically) Fans of EDM artist Apashe would really enjoy this recommendation. Red Bull is most well-known for their sponsorship of high-adrenaline sports and secondly for their drinks (do not fight me on this one). However, they have successfully dabbled in the music industry as well with their special live concerts titled Red Bull Symphonic. The mission of these performances is to blend live symphonic music with… whatever genre you can think of. They have already put together incredible concerts featuring indie rock artists, rappers, amapiano DJs, and more. One of their most popular concerts is their collaboration with hip-hop producer Metro Boomin. If you ever wondered what it would be like to see an audience headbanging to classical music in an amphitheater, then run to YouTube and look up this unexpectedly good concert.

Strange But True by Jad Fair and Yo La Tengo (to be re-released Dec. 12, 2025) How can an already released collaborative album be unexpected? Well, the record has been out of stock for decades and barely on any digital platforms until now. That and also the fact that since its original release in 1998, Yo La Tengo and Jad Fair have ventured into very different genres and, in hindsight, it is a bit difficult to imagine them coming together for a project. We need wonder no further what their collaborative sound would be like, only wait a little longer and we will find out. Hopefully, the record will stand the test of time and will not appear as strange of an addition to these artists’ discographies as the title suggests.