LWM Festive Round Up 2023

As is traditional round these parts, I like to take a listen to all the yuletide releases I get sent and round them up for you in one handy review post. So, if you're not a fan of a Christmas song then maybe skip this one but if you can't get through December without the sound of sleigh-bells or the mention of Rudolph then you are in exactly the right place. 

UPSAHL - Snowglobe (Sony/RCA) 

Kicking the festive season off in style with UPSAHL's 'Snowglobe' is as strong a start as anyone can hope for so quit your hoping. Fittingly Christmassy melodies and a mention of snow in the first line tick all the boxes but UPSAHL's trademark vocal with equal parts contempt, exhaustion with the world and slightly-stoned energy gives this one an edge that you just don't get with Michael Buble. This one is all about shutting the world out so that you can enjoy being yourself with the one person that really gets you and, right now, I'm all up for that. 

More information: https://www.facebook.com/upsahlmusic

Darren Burdis - Alone Again At Christmas 

Newcastle-Upon-Tyne's Darren Burdis hits the rights notes (and bells) on his festive offering 'Alone At Again Christmas' which his just enough Christmas spirit go balance out the sadness of the lyrical content. This is not the most sophisticated of songs but it wears its heart on the sleeve of its Christmas jumper as it trudges back to an empty flat after the office Christmas party and we can all relate to that, can't we? 

More information: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089264460446

Owen Rivera - Feliz Navidad (Curb Records) 

Taking on a classic is always a bold move but 'Feliz Navidad' is a multi-national Christmas smash so teenager Owen Rivera has got some big baubles. A horn laden version with a faithful acoustic strum sets Rivera up to overlay a soulful, Latin tinged vocal smoothly and effortlessly. In fact, so faithful is this version that I'm not sure it really adds anything but there is a raunchy sax solo which makes for something a little different. 

More information: https://www.instagram.com/owenriveraofficial/

Ingrid Michaelson - This Christmas 

I feel like I only hear from Ingrid Michaelson around this time of year but when your songs are getting picked up for Hallmark Christmas movies then you probably don't need to try any harder. 'This Christmas' is one of those songs that is so pure of heart that it is impossible to dislike it, especially when it's delivered by a gentle piano melody and a snowflake-delicate vocal full of warmth and love. With a message of wanting to spend time with family and friends in an effort to make it the best Christmas ever, this one has everything in the right place. 

More information: https://www.facebook.com/ingridmichaelson/

Breland - The Christmas Song 

This soulful, jazzy take on a classic finds Breland in fire-side brilliance as he croons and swoons his way through 'The Christmas Song'. Some warm piano playing and a real sense of intimacy make this one feel super special but it is Breland's voice that has hints of a young Stevie Wonder to it that makes for a truly magical experience. 

More information: https://www.facebook.com/brelandthepenpointguard

Brendan Melia - The Bitter,  Sweet and Warm 

Irish singer-songwriter Brendan Melia releases 'The Bitter, Sweet and Warm', strumming Dylan-like and singing like the late St. Shane in between cold blasts on the harmonica. This is one for the ages as Melia sings of the mix of emotions that you get at this time of the year thinking of the good times, bad times and the sad times that have brought you to this point. As the song grows and swells you can almost hear the clinking of Guinness glasses in between the violin and drums from the amassed choir of well wishers, drunks and party seekers. Great stuff. 

More information: https://www.facebook.com/brendantheartist/ 

Nina Nesbitt - Christmas Time Again 

The ever-brilliant Nina Nesbitt has smashed it out of the park with her Christmas treat this year as 'Christmas Time Again' manages to combine being a new song with stirring up the nostalgia at the same time. Name checking 'Driving Home For Christmas', calling out Christmas Day hangovers and just being around friends, family and home is all set to a pulsating piano melody with Nesbitt's pure-pop vocal tugging at your heart strings with terrifying precision. I've said it before and I'll say it again, Nesbitt is a bit of a genius. 

More information: https://www.facebook.com/NinaNesbitt

James Miller - Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas 

Born in Wales, operating out of LA and with killer hair, James Miller has all the right ingredients to be a success so how is his take on 'Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas'? Well, a dramatic and rolling piano line gets us of to a good start but Miller's smooth and breathy vocal is an instant knee-buckler, full of passion, emotion and effortless charm. Miller might well be after the crown passed down from Crosby to Buble but I don't think he's going to need to break a sweat to get there. 

More information: https://www.facebook.com/jamiemillmusic/

Marcus Reeves - Vote For Christmas 

London based Marcus Reeves has been writing a song every ten days in 2023 and this is his Christmas offering that uses a smooth-pop ballad style to take a sideways look at the state of the UK right now. 'Vote For Christmas' has sprinkled festive melodies and a sense of end-of-year nostalgia but its the warmly delivered vocals of Reeves alongside a slide guitar that makes this one feel a little bit special. 

More information: https://www.instagram.com/marcus_reeves/

Bony Macaroni - Christmas Mosquito Bites 

Dutch dudes Bony Macaroni have gone full on festive with their offering 'Christmas Mosquito Bites' with big ol' nostalgic melodies and the kind of heartbroken vocals that could only come from getting dumped on Christmas Eve. Slacker indie melodies, the odd bell chime and a video full of Christmas tropes make this festive but lyrical themes of climate meltdown and a future that seems to be permanently on fire gives the silver lining a cloud. Something for everyone, then. 

More information: https://www.facebook.com/wearebonymacaroni

Tara MacLean - Kiss In December 

Along with Catherine MacLellan and Kinley, Tara MacLean has crafted 'Kiss In December' which is a thing of understated and delicate beauty. Gently rippling acoustic notes and a laconic violin are matched by a vocal so pure, honest and sweet that it will stop rowdy pubs from reveling. A piano joins in to give this a hint of country sweetness and the whole song unfolds with an overriding sense of peace, love and togetherness. 

More information: https://twitter.com/taramacmusic

Mimi Webb - Back Home For Christmas (RCA) 

It was only a matter of time before Mimi Webb went and dropped a Christmas banger and 'Back Home For Christmas' is exactly that banger. With a mix of Girls Aloud energy, Adriana Grande cool and Mariah's sweetness, this song blends all the key ingredients of a pop Christmas smash and wraps it up in a bow made of Webb's pitch-perfect vocal. Altogether now, "only one thing on my wishlist, bring my love back home for Christmas".

More information: https://www.facebook.com/mimiiiwebb

EELS - Christmas, Why You Gotta Do Me Like This 

It feels like an age since I've listened to the excellent EELS so this is a timely reminder of their oeuvre and 'Christmas, Why You Gotta Do Me Like This' is a joy to behold. Gravelly vocals, an end-of-the-night slow jam and a sense of desperation make this the kind of song you'd hear wafting out of a bar while you try to drum up enough pocket change for one last drink. There are hints of Bruce Springsteen about this one but it is still undeniably EELS. 

More information: https://www.facebook.com/THEEELS

Sara Noelle - Winter's Glow/I'll Be Home For Christmas 

A double-header from Sara Noelle opening with the ethereal and whimsical 'Winter's Glow' which exists in the reflected glow of fairy lights on a snow covered front lawn. The rippling, bobbing melodies create the landscape for Noelle's snowy vocals to lay softly upon like a blanket of reassurance and love. 'I'll Be Home For Christmas' is similarly floaty and delicate but with a more dream-like quality that makes me feel like I've smoked a little too much of something on Christmas Eve. 

More information: https://www.facebook.com/saranoellemusic

Hattie Whitehead - In The Bleak Midwinter 

Having recorded this song to raise awareness of Doctors With Borders, Hattie Whitehead was always going to tug on the heartstrings with her rendition of 'In The Bleak Midwinter' but wow does this one hit the spot!? Deftly and intimately played guitar strings lay out a carpet of melody beneath Whitehead's soft, double-tracked vocals for a song that is as luxurious as it is, well, bleak. Spare a thought for those with less this winter - much, much less. 

More information: https://www.facebook.com/hattiewhiteheadmusic

Farehaven - Joy To The World Rock 

Something a little rockier now with Farehaven's distortion heavy version of 'Joy To The World'. Choppy, powerful guitars and punchy drums lay out a path for the deadpan, almost grunge inspired vocals to walk down with a rock'n'roll swagger. A wah-wah guitar solo for the core melody seals the deal and will have even the most cynical Scrooges headbanging with yuletide joy. 

More information: https://open.spotify.com/album/2UmRufh1MTAZojAXpR7TGe?si=p9MfNiDISR6XugYPb8Tnrg

Sofia Talvik - Alone For Christmas 

Swedish singer-songwriter Sofia Talvik brings the frosty, wintry fairy-lit beauty on new single 'Alone For Christmas'. The festive offering glides slowly in on the somber strings but Talvik's vocals is so sweet and pure that you can still hold on to the light of hope offered up by the single candle burning in the corner. One to snuggle up to and maybe it will make you call that one person you haven't heard from in a while. 

More information: https://www.facebook.com/sofiatalvikmusic

Gareth Donkin - This Winter (drink sum wtr) 

This one might take a while to get going but Gareth Donkin has certainly gone down the Wham! route of Christmas songwriting on his track 'This Winter'. Light and sprinkled synths with charming vocals make for a soul-pop-lite track that will soothe your aching head on Christmas day as well as charming the pants of that special person under the mistletoe. 

More information: https://www.facebook.com/garethdonkinmusicuk

Royalty Capes - This Christmas 

A little lo-fi Christmas blues from Royalty Capes on 'This Christmas', raising money for the excellent MIND charity. There are echoes of John Lennon screaming pain in to the microphone over the sound of a lonely electric guitar riff before the song swells with harmonies, a beat and a Phil Spector vibe (musically, not his personality). Superb stuff and right up my alley, if I do say so myself. 

More information: https://twitter.com/royaltycapes

The Kut - Waiting For Christmas (Criminal Records) 

In support of the Music Venue Trust, the Kut release 'Waiting For Christmas' with a lonely, grunge vibe running all the way through it. Think Smashing Pumpkins, think Hole and think goth kids having to spend time with their Grandparents playing Monopoly on Christmas day when they'd rather be in their room learning the words to System of a Down album tracks. There is a nice swell on the track that lifts you up at the end but I know I'd rather be listening to this live than hearing my great aunt warbling through hymns at the piano. 

More information: https://www.facebook.com/thekut

Asgeir & Arny Margret - Part Of Me 

This is something of an Icelandic supergroup as Asgeir and Arny Margret join forces for their yuletide song 'Part Of Me'. The pair join their acoustic guitar forces with delicate vocals to weave a gorgeous tapestry of a song with their vocal harmonies entwining perfectly and effortlessly to tell the story. This is a warm blanket and log fire of a song that will warm your heart, your cockles and your soul from the inside out. Merry Christmas indeed. 

More information: 

Asegir - https://www.facebook.com/asgeirmusic

Arny Margret - https://www.facebook.com/arnyymargret