ONE MORE SLEEP UNTIL CHRISTMAS!!
Stream these singles (and more) here (Spotify Playlist)
Read about my top Christmas singles of 2023 here
Read about my top Christmas singles of 2023 here
Read about my top Christmas singles of 2022 here
Read about my top Christmas singles of 2021 here
Read about my top Christmas singles of 2020 here
Read about my top Christmas singles of 2019 here
Read about my top Christmas singles of 2018 here
Read about my top Christmas singles of 2017 here
Read about my top Christmas singles of 2016 here
Read about my top Christmas singles of 2015 here
Read about my top Christmas singles of 2014 here
Read about my top Christmas singles of 2013 here
Read about my top Christmas singles of 2017 here
Read about my top Christmas singles of 2016 here
Read about my top Christmas singles of 2015 here
Read about my top Christmas singles of 2014 here
Read about my top Christmas singles of 2013 here
This is the 12th (!) year that I have fastidiously catalogued all the new Christmas albums, EPs and singles that have caught my attention; providing me with seasonal new sounds to add to my ever growing playlist of holiday classics. While I clearly adore all the Christmas music I write about, I've picked some that have resonated with me just that little bit more this Yuletide. I've put them in order of favourites but that is like choosing between my favourite episodes of Holidazed - and, quite honestly, given another frame of mind the number fifteen song could easily be the number two tune. I have picked out a few favourites, however, so do read on and let me know your thoughts...
Colony House's first Christmas single! There's a delectable nostalgic vibe to this, as if it is from a seasonal sequel to Grease and Colony House are the winter house band at the Frosty Palace. A rollicking sleigh ride of pace, wanton piano riffs and a peppy hook all coalesce to craft a sing-along bop that will stay in your head way until New Year. If you fancy something other than being Mariah's only Christmas wish then this song is for Y.O.U.
The song isn't fuelled by the jingling bells of Santa's sleigh or the rustle of mistletoe above the crackling fireplace - in fact, all the Bleachers really want for Christmas is to be left alone. Relationships can be selfish and destructive and, through a mesmerising lo-fi backdrop, a tale is told of the sadness of the magic of love being extinguished by such behaviour. It is beautifully done, completely compelling and just what you might need if you are overwhelmed by the merriment that you don't necessarily feel.
No wonder all round nice lister, Calum Scott (who has done amazing work raising awareness of the effects of mental health), turned to North Pole advocate Christina to duet with on what we can only hope is his inaugural festive single. Kid At Christmas is like opening the most ornate music box and listening to the elegant, graceful sounds come out - guaranteed to make your holiday merry and bright thanks to the message that love, actually, is all around.
With haunting chiming keyboard melody that echoes the beauty of the movie The Corpse Bride, the song is as dark and brooding as a Victorian Christmas Carol. Jingling bells and strumming guitar let light shine in, alongside ethereal chimes, that make this melodic musing and toast to those we have lost an exquisitely mellifluous rumination. "Never forget in every song, a part of you still sings along" isn't just poetic magic, it's a public service announcement.
Written for the Richard Curtis Christmas movie, That Christmas, it is an aching ballad that encompasses the lonely emotions that so often feel more pronounced at the most convivial time of the year. Delicate piano accompanies the song, dancing gracefully alongside Ed's charming, heartfelt vocal like snowflakes on the winter breeze. Like Mariah, Ed's only wish this year is to have his love by his side - and this is performed with a mellifluous grace that transcends the season.
The song is pure Christmas candy pop delight. With falsetto "la la la"s, deep bass grooves that feel like the shuffling of the sleigh ride through the snow and a catchy hook that's as delicious of the return of Starbuck's Egg Nog, you'll find the romantic yearnings of this as compelling as any classics like Jingle Bells or Let It Snow. A finger click middle eight heightens the anticipation before the chorus drops one last time and you're left giddy by the wonder of it all.
Once again, Kelly delivers on this Mark Ronson produced, Motown-infused, textured romp. Christmas still isn't cancelled and this time around Kelly is intent on getting her only wish this year - a new romantic beau, all gift wrapped under the tree. It's all delivered through a banger of a tune - Kelly giving classic Ronettes vibes as jingling bells and sassy brass come flurrying through your speaker like the most beautiful of snow flakes.
This is a peppy trot of a bop, that vividly brings into focus all the woes of travelling at the busiest time of the year. Wry lyrics that make clever use of seasonal references in the verses lead into a finger click chorus. Convivial sing-along "doo doo doo" moments playfully bounce along the rich, piano-guitar-percussion drenched instrumental while jingling bells add enough magic to make you feel glad from head to (mistle)toe.
"These ARE the good old days" declares the accompanying visuals as the trio launch into a song so potent it would power Santa's sleigh right through to New Year. Set to a completely compelling guitar strumming, they use relatable and genius lyrics ("save the fighting for thanksgiving, the scares for Halloween") to convey why the holiday season - particularly The Night Before Christmas - should be so revered.
The song starts with some twinkling bells that feel like a lullaby; then Perrie uses the best musical alchemy to conjure up some festive cheer with a sleigh ride of a percussive beat, holiday hand claps and chiming bells to wizard up a winter wonderland of a score. The joy of this effervescent gift of a tune comes from the eager anticipation in Perrie's vocal - you feel like she's seeing Christmas through the eyes of her three year old son Axel and that's the true present as it is all sparkling and euphoric.
This is a shimmering mid-tempo romp as meticulously dressed in layered musical textures as the guys are in sartorial style. Gorgeous individual moments provide smooth optimism through mellifluous delivery while (of course) the harmonies melt into each other like whipped cream into a Starbucks Peppermint Hot Chocolate. The "turn your light on, shine a little brighter" is the uplifting aural hug we all need in our lives right now.
This year (with the certified Elf Choir of the North Pole, Pentatonix) the lads have a titular sequel to It's Almost Christmas with this gem. It is a sumptuous, soaring anthem that blends the exquisite harmonies and texture of Pentatonix's vocals with the singing style of Ian and Chad; it is delicious as cream melting into your favourite hot chocolate and just as satisfying. Gorgeous piano accompanies the poetic, heartfelt lyrics and it all burgeons and swells with chiming bells & a drummer boy percussion.
This Amazon Music Original is a deliciously down-beat, bluesy romp about the longing you feel when you are away from your loved one for the holidays. There are punchy piano chords, sparse beats and jingling bells (with a glorious horn accompaniment at just the right moments). Gospel choir accentuate his yearning in the chorus while his voice soars with power that elevates him up to the angels we have heard on high. And just when you think it can't get any better, there's a key change.
From its charming music box opening through to its exhilarating slide into a pulsing dance romp, Ava isn't leaving any crumbs on the table with this one. With a cantering percussion, textured instrumental and enough Christmas inspired lyrics to make visions of sugar plums dance in your head, this is a joyful ode to keeping the happiness and kindness of the season with you all the live long year. There's a peppy energy to the song that comes with the freedom of Christmas music and Ava seems to be having the best time.
Last Christmas someone broke Charlie Puth's heart. This year, he's singing through his emotions to ensure that he has a better year ahead - and does so on this rather charming, Wham inspired ballad. As a homage to that beloved tune, it is exquisite. There's a familiarity to the music without it being a facsimilie. The 80s style percussive groove and jingling bells dance with each other like snowflakes on a breeze, creating a lush backdrop for Charlie to sing his heartache away to. The way his engaging vocal is placed within the record really conjures up images of the halycon days of George Michael yet his voice is distinctive in way that makes this song his own.
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