Sunday, 1 November 2020

Maddie & Tae - We Need Christmas


54 DAYS UNTIL CHRISTMAS!!

Buy-stream We Need Christmas here (external link)
Read my review of Maddie & Tae's Write A Book here

One of the very lovely benefits of being so immersed in Christmas music for 60 days of the year means that I get to discover artists who might have passed me by (but that I surely should have known about). One such act is the splendid country-music harmony duo Maddie & Tae; sure, I've discovered them via their new Christmas EP (more on that in a moment), but I now have a whole back catalogue of music to enjoy alongside this seasonal selection of songs. We Need Christmas feels like the antidote to what my wise mum calls "a not entirely tickety-boo year" (whatever that means) - finding joy in the magic of the holidays regardless of what life throws at us. With a mix of classic songs and new compositions, Maddie & Tae manage to inject something new into the familiar whilst making the new sound like all the memories of Christmas gone by set to gorgeous new melodies. It is all beautifully done - a gift that will be around for many Yuletides yet...

It all starts with a joyful and triumphant take on This Christmas. It ushers in the EP with invigorating guitar riffs, sumptuous percussion and jingling bells, all ensuring their vibrant vocals conjure up images of stockings over the fire and twinkling lights on the tree. Adding in the additional refrain of "shake a hand, shake a hand" makes this a convivial sing-along delight that makes you want to grab the one you love and shimmy. Holly Jolly Christmas is a laid-back, jazzy romp which lets the ladies let themselves get in the feel-good vibes of the most wonderful time of the year. I love that they let the instrumental be as much an essential part of the song as their charming vocals; there are lush piano moments that just glitter with a flirtatious energy. It may only be 2 1/2 minutes, but whenever you need a quick boost, pop this song on!

Next up is O Come All Ye Faithful, the traditional carol which sees a lovely a cappella introduction. Their voices are reverent and earnest, respectful of the awe-inspiring words they sing. The score is then gradually textured as the song progresses - almost as if their vocals act as a beacon for like minded musicians to join them in their worship. The glad tidings continue on Merry Married Christmas which was co-written with Tae's husband Josh Kerr. The first of the two original songs, this is a celebratory ode to spending first Christmas as a married couple. It is like a Hallmark movie wrapped up in three minutes of country-pop majesty. Evocative lyrics and romantic music make this a delightful new tradition of playing this every year. Note to my husband - I am going to need a present under the tree!

Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) is a revelation. Rather than compete with the more well-known versions of the song (Darlene Love, Mariah Carey, Michael Buble), the duo strip back the song to its architectural blueprint and rebuild it as a bluesy guitar-vocal partnership. It has just the right balance of melancholy balanced with yearning that makes it mesmerising. The EP comes to a close with the heavenly title track (We Need Christmas). Co-written with Matthew West (whose Come On Christmas kick starts my holiday playlist debut every year) and AJ Pruitt, this is the beacon of light and hope we all need right now. An elegant wall of sound ensconces the ladies heartfelt singing, making this a plaintive plea. "This world could use a little healing" they sing, with the narrative of the song being the cure for what ails you. A stunning finale to a fine, fine EP. 

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