Listening to the radio during the month of December can be painful: the same, overplayed Christmas songs are heard multiple times a day, every day of the week, so much so that you might wonder how anyone can possibly enjoy them anymore. Some artists, however, have taken it upon themselves to take their own sleigh-ride spin on the classics. Here’s a collection of unique, contemporary holiday-themed pieces to include in this year’s winter playlist.
The Christmas Waltz by Laufey is a contemporary holiday piece released just this year in November 2022. Featuring a children’s choir, this piece is a joyful addition to the holiday season. If you’re a fan of classically trained singers, Laufey’s expertise and paired with her angelic voice is the perfect fit for you.
If you’re suffering from a little seasonal depression, If We Make It Through December by Phoebe Bridgers is a melancholy holiday tune that contrasts the uplifting holiday songs we all know. The piece isn’t blaringly christmacious so, while it brings variety to your holiday, it can be enjoyed throughout the whole year.
Wintering by The 1975 is a lively holiday tune exploring themes of uniqueness in family relationships around the Holiday season. Also released in 2022, this piece is engaging and would be an upbeat addition to any playlist, holiday or not. Play this tune at a holiday gathering and see how many family descriptions are accurate!
A more classic Christmas tune, Christmas Tree Farm by Taylor Swift is everything you could ask for. Released in 2019, this piece is recent and, of course, Taylor is always a good option. The piece includes violin, choral backups and, most importantly, sleigh bells! Add this unique but nostalgic feeling masterpiece to your playlist.
If you’re looking for a Hip-Hop style holiday tune, I Am the Grinch by Tyler, The Creator featuring Fletcher Jones is a very unique piece to add to your playlist. Completely different from your average Christmas tune, Tyler’s interpretation of the beloved character The Grinch is a comical but enthralling holiday piece.
Part of the same album, Christmas Song and So Much Wine by Phoebe Bridgers are two sentimental holiday pieces released in her 2022 holiday EP. They are both more mellow songs, but beautifully capture the difficulties of loneliness and substance abuse over the holiday season.
If you’re looking for a whimsical, romantic winter melody, Love To Keep Me Warm by Laufey and dodie is the endearing duet for you. With a jazzy swing, this tune is bound to pick up your spirits. It was released in 2021 as a single and continues to be a winter favourite. Add this piece to brighten up your holiday playlist!
How Could This Be Christmas? by Mandy Moore is a classic-sounding Christmas song but with a heartbroken, melancholy twist. It explores the loneliness of Christmas without the one you love. Released in 2020, this piece is a great relaxed, emotional piece to still fit in with the holiday classics but with a calmer sentiment.
A slightly more mainstream holiday tune, Make It to Christmas by Alessia Cara is a heart-wrenching piece about relationship struggles over the winter months. Released in 2019, this piece has maintained popularity over the holidays for its relatability. To reminisce over past difficult relationships, add this to your playlist.
Comments