Yep, it’s that time of year again – the holiday season has slowly crept up on us once again! This time last year, I created a round-up review based on my favourite seasonal songs, so I felt it was time to do it all over again! All the songs here have holiday/Christmas themes, although some are a little different from what you might expect. Hopefully, you’ll find your new favourite holiday song in our playlist!
Review by Jane Howkins
Picture by Us4
Us4 – The Road
Us4 are a Birmingham-based Irish band, with their song The Road sounding wintery from the start! The bells add a nice seasonal touch to proceedings, aligning well with the slow guitar chords on this folky number. The female vocals sound absolutely lush, adding a nice tone to the piece. The drums kick in after a while, elevating this track higher and higher to an anthemic platform, making you want to sing along to the chorus for its entirety! It breaks down towards the end, before that gorgeous chorus returns once again.
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mad/no/mad – Jingle Bells
We all know the song Jingle Bells, but mad/no/mad has truly made it their own here, changing the tune up nicely. The track has something of an Eastern European folk flavour, adding an eerie quality to this classic Christmas song. The low vocals add a haunting beauty, as the little acoustic guitar melodies are plucked in the background, alongside the steady rhythm. This track is unlike any other holiday song I’ve heard before, so you really must hear it!
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Mick J. Clark – It’s Christmas Party Time
We’ve actually got three amazing tunes to share from Mick J. Clark, with the first one being It’s Christmas Party Time. The track harks back to the popular Christmas songs from the 50s and 60s, with a classic rock and roll rhythm adding a nice upbeat feel to this tune. Mick’s vocals croon their way through the track, as the bells add a festive theme to the tune. The rhythm makes it all sound incredibly catchy, with the backing chatter working well with the track.
Mick J. Clark – It’s Getting Near Christmas
It’s Getting Near Christmas is our second offering from Mick J. Clark, having a similar feel to the previous tune. It’s just as upbeat, with the funky rhythm making you want to get up and dance straight away! The backing vocals sound like a choir at times, adding a nice tonal shift when compared to Mick’s lead vocals. The lyrics have everything you might expect from such a song, adding to the festive feeling of the tune.
Mick J. Clark – Sing Glory Glory Hallelujah
Sing Glory Glory Hallelujah is slightly different in tone, sounding a little more hymnal than Mick J. Clark’s previous addition to this list. The bells are back, but it’s a much slower song, with a fantastic string section playing in the background, increasing the beauty of the tune. The slow nature of this track allows Mick’s vocals to truly stand out – his lyrics are lovely, having a message of peace, whatever religion or creed you ascribe to. The key change towards the end works wonders too.
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Jesabel – Christmas Mood
Jesabel is a singer-songwriter based out of Jacksonville, adding a soulful twang to the holiday scene. Christmas Mood is another slow track, but it’s different to the previous song, harking back to the glory days of the soul and classic r&b movements. The strings are used in a fantastic way, swirling along in the background, alongside the jangly bells. The strings work amazingly with the rhythm on the verses, as the sultry vocals soar over the music on this captivating tune.
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Tara Hack – I Wish That It Could Be Christmas
Tara Hack brings a poppy feel to the Christmas tune on her new song I Wish That It Could Be Christmas. The track mixes together the best elements of the pop and r&b scenes, with the sumptuous backing vocals adding a gospel vibe. The synths appear every so often to create a nice instrumental break, with Tara’s vocals changing between singing and rapping at different moments – it’s certainly a Christmas track with a difference!
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Mark Winters – My Christmas
My Christmas is another song with an old school rock and roll vibe, with a frantic rhythm that will have your toes tapping along in no time! Mark Winters is something of a guitar genius, with bluesy licks appearing throughout the tune. The strings are absolutely lush, adding a wintery quality to this fantastic tune. The lyrics might sound a little cheesy at times, but that’s what we’ve all come to know and love from a song of this genre, so they’re certainly warranted!
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