Saturday, 22 November 2025

Matthew West - Come Home For Christmas (LP)


33 DAYS UNTIL CHRISTMAS!!

Buy-stream Come Home For Christmas here (external link)

I'm always here for however often Matthew West wants to return to the musical world of the most wonderful time of the year - he has amassed quite the melodic lexicon of original and classic holiday songs over the years. Come Home For Christmas is his latest mini-album, based on his book of the same name. It continues his strive to focus on family and faith through sharing his songs (including one or two that have been standalone singles over the past couple years). Whether or not you are religious, there are shared themes and enough festive cheer in here for everyone. Ever since he sang "Come on Christmas, do your thing" he's approached December with an appealing blend of giddy excitement and reverent reflection. Come Home For Christmas is no different - a fine addition to his Christmas canon...
  • Come Home For Christmas ~ the opening track begins with chiming keyboard as Matthew sings about how we often lose that childlike wide-eyed wonder for the season that we have when we are young. The cynicism of the world creeps in but there is always some magic and sparkle to be found if you are just willing to look at things another way. A lush wall of sound gives the song its power and crescendo, swathing Matthew's vocal in a joyful and triumphant score. 
  • It's The Most Wonderful Time of the Year ~ one of my all time favourite Christmas songs (Matt Dusk & Kylie Minogue both do superb versions). Matt immerses himself in the magic of the lyrics, transforming from the wistful, nostalgic introduction bars into a sumptuous jazzy refrain ("come on boys")! His voice is the right balance between wide eyed wonder and contemporary crooner, whilst the flourishes of the score ensure this is one song that will make youmerry & bright. 
  • Joy To The World ~ it's all about my favourites! Growing up in a church going household, this was one Christmas hymn that I really enjoyed singing (as well as playing on the piano). There is such exuberant celebration to it, that it really does send your spirits soaring. Matthew includes a full on gospel choir to elevate the testimony of the lyrics to seventh heaven and beyond. Aiding this is a percussion and horn section that will have even the most reluctant congregation on their feet!
  • Because of Bethlehem ~ this is a song inspired by Max Lucado's book, Because of Bethlehem. It serves as a reminder of the origins of the greatest story ever to be told - in its own way, not too dissimilar in message and uplifting score to Cliff Richard's Saviour's Day (which made number one in Britain in 1990); a radiant instrumental and a celestial, majestic chorus that really has you feeling the good will to all. That beautiful layered choral refrain towards the end of the song is just... heavenly. 
  • White Christmas ~ will I ever tire of hearing this song? I seriously doubt it. The Irving Berlin standard truly is the definition of an iconic classic. Matthew takes a fairly traditional take on the song, but that's no bad thing. Sometimes you want the timeless material just as it was intended to be. There's a touch of big band to the performance while the female vocal adds to the sparkling nature of the song. Perfect for singing along to in the car with all your friends and family around.
  • O Little Town of Bethlehem ~ Matthew returns to the place of Jesus' birth via this old school carol that you can so often hear coming from concerts, school halls and cathedrals all around. There are some lilting piano chords that entwine around a peppy percussion, mirroring the urgency of the journey that Mary and Joseph took on that celebrated night. A truly delightful middle 8 gives additional lyrical insight - performed with a delight that comes from loving the source material.
  • Dysfunctional Family Christmas ~ who hasn't had to grit their teeth at the Christmas dinner to keep the peace while a relative somehow manages to irritate you beyond belief. This country tinged song pitches Matthew as an able raconteur as he sings about all the bonkers elements of his own experiences. I will say they don't seem that terrible (though coughing without covering your mouth is gross) but it is all super relatable, meaning you'll be nodding along in emphatic agreement!
**Ghosts of Christmas Past**
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