Saturday, 5 November 2022

Thomas Rhett - Merry Christmas Y'All


50 DAYS UNTIL CHRISTMAS!!

Buy-stream Merry Christmas Y'All here (external link)
Read my review of Christmas In The Country here

Hurrah! Singer, songwriter and all round good egg Thomas Rhett has finally succumbed to the magic of a holiday EP. Despite riding high on the charts with his latest smash, Half of Me (featuring Riley Green and taken from his sixth studio set Where We Started), he is bringing the Christmas bar to you via the four track EP, Merry Christmas Y'All. He has chosen songs that he and his family love, some real classics that are all performed with that now-classic Rhett panache. Its not the first time Thomas has tackled Christmas - he bought us the delights of his take on The Christmas Song as a double A side with Christmas In The Country a few years back. One can only hope this is leading to a full Yuletide album sometime soon. Guess that's for the ghost of Christmas future to know - in the meantime, enjoy a cheery greeting in the form of Merry Christmas Y'All...
  • Winter Wonderland ~ it is reductive to say that Thomas gives this classic a great country makeover; its more than that - he crafts the soundscape to a picture he paints with clever use of guitar and percussion. While the vibe of the song gives you a Southern states sunny charm, blasts of horn and jingling bells make it feel like it is being sung on the porch surrounded by Christmas trees and decorations. Thomas does sound like he's having a great time performing this - icing on the already quite delicious cake!
  • It's The Most Wonderful Time ~ blending big band with strings makes this quite the opulent affair. There are beautifully textured backing vocals whilst the band throws in their own cheeky moments to give the song a fresh personality. Thomas is in fine vocal fettle, immersing himself in the lush score and working in symbiotic partnership to elevate his resonant tones so they sparkle as brightly as the lights on the finest Christmas tree. Sure the lyrics tell you the story but it is Thomas who lets you feel it right alongside him. 
  • Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas ~ if Thomas wanted you to meet him in St Louis, this song would be a pretty compelling argument to take him up on that invitation. Putting piano front and centre on this Judy Garland classic means his singing rings clear like a bell on the tree signifying an angel getting his wings (I'm mixing my movie metaphors now but you get the drift). It is charming, heartfelt and delivered with an aching sincerity that should give good will vibes from now until the big day (Santa's birthday). 
  • It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas ~ Christmas in Tennessee sounds a rollicking riot if this is what Christmas sounds and looks like that. It is a kick up your heels, good time, throw down ho-down - Thomas and his band folding in layers of intricate musical score like master melodic bakers. Convivial sing-along moments add to the cheery atmosphere, meaning you want to hit repeat as soon as the song has finished (and you should if just to appreciate all the nuance in each instrument line). A new holiday classic is born!
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