LWM Festive Round Up 2024
Every year I like to do a little round-up of the new Christmas or Christmas adjacent music that I get sent to review because, well, I love music and I love Christmas. So, for better or worse, here are the new offerings to add to your festive playlist.
Diane Rose Kelly - Love Has Won
The first word of this song is "Christmas" so it seems like a good place to start. A wistful acoustic strum and Diane Rose Kelly's sumptuous, pure and powerful vocal draw you into a wintry, snowy scene. When the band joins in with a sprinkling of piano and a shuffling beat you get the feeling that we're off on the highway with a car full of gifts and cheer to visit loved ones at this special time of year. It is an extremely positive start.
More information: https://www.facebook.com/p/Diane-Rose-Kelly-100054531397296/
Ricky Warwick feat. Joe Elliott - All I Want For Christmas...Is Christmas (Earache Records)
A rock'n'roll Christmas is the best kind of Christmas so praise the lord for Ricky Warwick and Joe Elliott for bringing us this treat full of fuzzy guitars and driving drums. It might sound a little cheesy but when a man with neck tattoos tells you he just wants everyone to get along and be good so Santa comes to visit then you don't really have any option but to get in the Christmas spirit. Great artwork and video too.
More information: https://www.facebook.com/rickywarwickofficial
WAR - (Yes It's) Christmas
So this is a weird one. Sure, there are sleigh bells and the lyrics mention Christmas but WAR's sound is so evocative of a Californian hotel lobby that it makes it hard to imagine Santa having any need for reindeer or a sleigh. Still, if you're after something super chilled and laid-back to pop on while you sip your Bucks Fizz or whatever your choice of early morning tipple is then this is the one for you.
More information: https://www.facebook.com/WARTHEBAND
Sara Noelle - Little Dove/Silent Night
A couple of tracks from the perfectly named Sara Noelle now, starting with the frosty tones and sleigh bell rhythms of 'Little Dove' which positively sparkles in the morning sun while the vocals do their best to warm our hearts with strong Karen Carpenter vibes. Noelle's version of 'Silent Night' is brilliantly original but also recognisable with a wash of synths and breathy, Goldfrapp-esque vocals making it sound simultaneously futuristic and classic.
More information: https://www.facebook.com/saranoellemusic
Vulgarithm - Christmas Time With Vulgarithm
This is the stuff of Cliff Richard's nightmares but if you're after something with a little more edge than your standard festive offering then do check out Vulgarithm. Starting with an unsettling but innocuous auto-tuned vocal, the song soon descends into a barrage of metal riffs and punishing drums - presumably to symbolise the agony of Mary giving birth to Jesus or general chaos of Christmas dinner with your family. Either way, it rocks. Hard.
Izza - Love Bracelets (Cartier Christmas Remix)
A bit of bling from Izza at Christmas with the Cartier Christmas Remix of 'Love Bracelets' which takes the soulless and greedy approach to the festive season that seems more prevalent these days. Sure, it's got a great bass line and if you're more concerned with receiving than giving at Christmas then maybe you've found yourself a new anthem.
More information: https://www.tiktok.com/@izzaroze?lang=en
Baby Schillaci - Keep The Change, Ya Filthy Animals
This one is quite the slow burner but eventually the song emerges like a robot from swamp to destroy Christmas and everyone who lives there. Baby Schillaci are not overtly blessed with the Christmas spirit but the Welsh outfit have created a sound that is cinematic and that will speak to those who like to spend Christmas alone binge watching Hitchcock films and drinking red wine. It's the perfect accompaniment.
AMILLIONSONS - Super Sharp Santa
South Park, horns, rap - all fundamental parts of Christmas, right? 'Super Sharp Santa' is the oddball uncle at the table with hip-hop clothes, a drum'n'bass heart and a stuttering approaching to conversation but, well, it kinda works. Christmas is a little chaotic with its mix of traditions, consumerism, religion and glutony so this just fits into that.
Chris Simmons - A Cold December
A more socially aware take on the Christmas song now from Chris Simmons with his release 'A Cold December'. This is, on the surface, a song about trying to get home from Christmas set to an earnest strum and with heartfelt vocals but the subtext is about grief, missing that key person that made Christmas special or just feeling alone. A reminder, should one be needed, that Christmas is all about the people in your life and that really is all you need.
Lily Lane - Blue On Christmas
Adding a touch of class and poise to proceedings is Lily Lane with her heartbroken release 'Blue On Christmas'. A lo-fi country strum is left in the shadows by Lane's stunning vocal that is part pop and part Dolly Parton with so much warmth and charm that you can't help but fall in love with the song and its simple, pure message.
Malka - When You're Here
The wonderfully creative Malka has a first Christmas offering and, as you might expect, it is utterly unique. 'When You're Here' has chimes, a rattling beat that sounds like a slinky making its way down a lighthouse staircase and Malka's icy cool vocal makes for a winning combination. "It's only Christmas when you're here" goes the chorus and we all know someone like that in our lives so pop this one on in the kitchen when you're cooking that turkey and enjoy the 80s inspired melodies.
Rikke - Spare Key
A sparse and wintry number now from Norwegian artist Rikke on her Christmas offering 'Spare Key'. Delicate, heartbroken vocals ring out atop the lonely echo of a piano melody and it reminds you that despite all the festive cheer, Christmas can be a brutally lonesome time for many out there so make sure you reach out to those you love. The addition of a choir as the song swells in emotion is stunning and the repeated refrain of "you should never wonder where your loved ones are at" hits hard.
Poppyshow- Christmas Wrapping
One of my favourite bands covering one of my favourite Christmas songs? Count me in. Exeter's Poppyshow have taken on 'Christmas Wrapping' by the Waitresses and give it a double shot of Jager before going full garage-rock on our asses but then there's a swaggering, show-stopping vocal performance that makes this one really shine. Like your pissed up boss getting up for karaoke at the office party and absolutely slaying it - this is a treat that you didn't know you needed and that's the best kind, isn't it?
Bailey Tomkinson & the Locals - Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)
Cornish collective Bailey Tomkinson & the Locals offer up a mellow, countrified version of the Darlene Love classic that will warm the coldest of hearts on a winter's evening. A slow strum and Tomkinson's warm, smooth vocal get you to the fireplace but its the slide guitar that pours you a glass of mulled cider to really seal the deal. Sumptuous stuff.
Anna Anise - Maybe Next Year
Gorgeous vocal harmonies are the order of the day on 'Maybe Next Year' from Anna Anise which mixes Stevie Nicks' style in with some Cornish folk flourishes and a real sense of freedom in both spirit and creativity. The meandering violin adds to the free-spiritedness andif this doesn't make you want to head to your local pub this winter then nothing well. And I'm talking proper local, not All Bar One or any of that nonsense.
Everyone Says Hi - Walking in the Air
Ever wondered what Aled Jones would sound like if he'd grown up in France and been the vocalist for Air? Well wonder no more. Everyone Says Hi have done a brilliantly cool and laid back version of 'Walking in the Air' which moves the song rapidly up the charts in terms of the best Christmas covers out there. You can just imagine the Snowman gliding into a cocktail bar and chatting up the barmaid while this plays in the background. Obviously he'd order a snowball.
Ellie Walker & the Folly - This Christmas Morning
This is a delightfully twinkling and sparkly offering from Ellie Walker & the Folly with festive single 'This Christmas Morning' which combines the fey indie-pop of Belle & Sebastian with a touch of country inspiration. The addition of sleigh bells and Walker's rich, warm vocal tones make this a charming and comforting listen, so definitely one for your Christmas morning playlist.
Christmas (Earache Records)
Home)
