There’s a gift from Elton John and Ed Sheeran in Santa’s heavy sack this year. Mariah Carey’s competing against her own unassailable record. Even ABBA is back, hoping to score the hit that keeps giving forever.
But you better not pout. This year’s keepers are further down the tree. When all the regifted carols and schmaltz drive you Christmas crackers, here’s a playlist of new seasonal tunes to kick off the afternoon argument.
Hell of a Holiday, Pistol Annies
Nashville country trio Pistol Annies cast their tinsel net all the way from Halloween to Auld Lang Syne for maximum holiday coverage: “Happy, spooky, merry, y’all it’s here/ Santa better get his butt in gear”. We’ll pass on the sweet potato pie thanks, but jungle beats, jingle bells, slide guitar and Andrews Sisters’ harmonies add up to Christmas on anyone’s menu.
Christmas Glow, Norah Jones
Jazz siren Norah Jones gives it some right-hand tinkle and sultry come-hither on one of the standout originals from her I Dream of Christmas album. Ricocheting rim shots, tippy-toe upright bass and that just-behind-the-beat drawl make for a slinky martini mixer.
Christmas Glow is one of the standouts on Norah Jones’ album I Dream of Christmas.Credit:
It’s Almost Christmas in Philly (acoustic), Gretta Ray
Melbourne’s Gretta Ray has a way of making you see through eyes wide with the wonder of new experiences. This is a snow-muffled piano version of an intimate buddy movie that veers dangerously close to sleep on a night drive through America: “We’re on the right side/ Though it feels wrong.”
Alt-rocker Babitha slows things right down with Christmas Day. Credit:
Christmas Cafe, Interstate Cowboy
What’s not to love about a Colorado fireman recalling a romantic roadhouse rendezvous over an acoustic guitar shuffle? Tim Champlin is Interstate Cowboy, talk-singing a snowed-in Christmas Eve when “I had to park my rig and wait/ It was like a skatin’ rink out there”. The thing with the waitress “wasn’t love/ It was the next best thing”. He says he slept on the couch, and we believe him.
Sleigh Your Way, Nataliya Nikitenko
Ukrainian-Australian singer Nataliya Nikitenko has a vintage-velvet nightclub flair and a voice that can make bats change direction. This killer 12/8 rocker promises to sleigh in the good stuff to “your sister, your mister” and what sounds like “your neighbourhood barista”. And that’s everyone.
Christmas Day, Babitha
Sydney alt-country singer Babitha has got her wine and she’s got her beer, but someone’s missing and everything from the kitchen radio to the star at the top of the tree won’t stop reminding her. “I will put on my face/ I’ll play their games and I’ll say my grace,” she sings, but the lap steel’s as sluggish as a nana-nap and the hangover won’t be pretty.
Country chart-topper Brett Eldredge is Mr Christmas. Credit:
Mr Christmas, Brett Eldredge
Brett Eldredge is cooler than Buble and that’s a fact. The country chart-topper’s big band switcheroo peaks here: an understated croon with all the requisite jingle bells, finger-snaps and a BB King-style guitar sting. “Call me Mr Christmas”? Sure thing, Mr Christmas.
Kelly Clarkson wins title of the year for her song Christmas Isn’t Cancelled (Just You). Credit:
When Can I Touch You?, Imogen Clarke
Melbourne rocker Imogen Clark co-wrote this shape-shifting slammer in “relay” with her all-star band in various parts of the world. It’s like three or four drunk uncles fighting after lunch, tied together with one big, sad howl for a missing party. “Christmas is hot where I come from/ But I lie in a cold, cold sweat.” You best believe it.
Gone For Christmas, Amanda Shires
Texas singer-fiddler Amanda Shires growls a stomping blues-rock kiss-off for the ages with the McCrary Sisters on gospel back-ups. In seven three-line verses, she makes her demands clear: boat, pony, plane with two pilots (“one to hang out with and one to fly it”), but each verse ends the same. “I want you — gone for Christmas.”
Christmas Vacation, LOLO
Toronto singer LOLO (Lauren Mandel) plays a brilliant croaky sad TikTokker with titles like lonely & pathetic but this ghostly acoustic strummer about someone she pashed in a car a couple of times is peak heartbreak. Who knew “snow” rhymed with “your cologne”? That’s just cruel.
Christmas Isn’t Cancelled (Just You), Kelly Clarkson
OK Kelly, you win title of the year. The song? Near enough for Christmas.
Christmas Cookies, Lainey Wilson
We knew Lainey Wilson was fond of old western swing but the sweet tooth is a surprise. “Each time I put another batch in the oven/ There’s 15 minutes for some kissin’ and a-huggin’” . Guess she’s scoffing the lot while the fiddle and pedal steel trade solos.
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