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Broken Records “My Beer Drunk Soul is Sadder Than All the Dead Christmas Trees in the World” (2014)

Broken Records Christmas

Self Released
Buy: Free!

It is a day of Scots I tell ya! Edinburgh’s Broken Records have recorded an original tune to be (no doubt) played at the Christmas Songwriters’ Club concert in Edinburgh on December 20th. I hope that all the participants release their songs – that would be amazing!! When I saw the title, I thought it might be a Joy Formidable cover, but it does appear to be a straight-up original. I love the swelling brass, the driving beat, and this vocalist is f*ing fantastic. Listen, listen, LISTEN (to both this song, and their others too. Just let the Soundcloud feed rolllllll).

Bottom Line: This is a rock solid addition to my mix in 2015, and top ten I’ve heard this year no doubt. 5/5

LISTEN

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Tuxedo “Wonderful Christmastime” (2014)

Tuxedo "Wonderful Christmastime"

Stones Throw
Buy: Free!

I never thought I would heard a version of this song that I liked. Then Mayer Hawthorne reposted this song into his Soundcloud feed… and it blew my mind. Tuxedo is a new band comprised of Mayer Hawthorne and Jack One, and hot damn they are funky. They have made one of my least favorite Christmas songs both funky and soulful – and ultimately not only listenable but glorious. I want this to be played at every single Christmas party in the country.

Bottom Line: WTF. I can’t believe I like this song. 4.8/5

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Nieves “Cure (Christmas Song)” (2014)

Nieves Christmas

Self Released
Buy: Free!

I love a good Scottish brogue in my Christmas songs, as those who may have ever listened to a mix of mine, or listened to my non-Christmas music collection. Nieves already had a leg up coming into this, hailing from Glasgow, and then I heard their song. It begins with, “There is no Christmas / There are no bells,” and continues from there. “What have we to be grateful for? / This year has been a bastard / 12 months, crawling on the floor.” This shit is DARK. And of course, I love it.

Bottom Line: Scottish, dark and free. 4.7/5

LISTEN

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Dent May “I’ll Be Stoned for Christmas” (2014)

Dent May "I'll Be Stoned for Christmas"

Self Released
Buy: Stream

Brooklyn Vegan made me a very happy today. Today at 4:20, Dent May released a new Christmas song, equally as good as his earlier effort, “Holiday Face.” “I’ll Be Stoned for Christmas” is a glorious pop song about, you guessed it, getting stoned on Christmas. The song was good enough to snap me out of my stupor and tell you about it. “Got an angel on my tree top, and a devil in my mind.”

Bottom Line: Dent May can write a great pop song about anything. Perhaps a legit download somewhere? 4.8/5 

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Simon Love “Walking in a Winter Wonderland” (2014)

Simon Love "Walking in a Winter Wonderland"

freakScene.
Buy: Bandcamp

Simon Love already has one Christmas song coming out this season, “Santa’s Beard”, found on A Very Cherry Christmas 10. He must really have found the spirit, because he felt another was in order. Simon Love acheived exactly what he set out to do – cover “Walking in a Winter Wonderland” as The Jesus and Mary Chain. You cannot get more fuzzed out guitars if you tried. Certainly a unique take on a classic song. However, I do feel that this is less a crowd pleaser and more to a particular taste – perhaps yours?

Bottom Line: “Winter Wonderland” is certainly not my favorite Christmas classic, but points for an original take. 3.9/5

LISTEN

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Seth Pettersen “I Called You Last Christmas” (2014)

Seth Pettersen "I Called You Last Christmas"

Self Released / Burger Records
Buy: Bandcamp

The Burger Records’ crew is always churning out indie rock/garage rock Christmas tunes this time of year, and finally, Seth Pettersen has gotten in on the act! I really loved his 2012 release, Natural Machine, so I was pumped when I saw his song pop up on Burger’s Holiday playlist. It’s a simple song, Seth gets high, calls Sasha, gets the message. Perhaps done by anybody else, I wouldn’t enjoy it quite so much, but Seth is just great. I should be more academic, but I just really like Seth. Even if you don’t like this song, check out that link above for Natural Machine. I wore that cassette OUT.

Bottom Line: Seth Pettersen all up in your earholes. 4/4

LISTEN

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Lapland “Maybe on Christmas” (2014)

Lapland

Self Released
Buy: Stream

Lapland, the moniker of Brooklyn singer/songwriter Josh Mease, just released a nice indiepop “original song hastily recorded” today, and I rather dig it. Synths flutter as a flickering flame as Mease sings about staying safe & sound by the fire on Christmas – in a tone that I’d equate to a Mark Mothersbaugh-scored scene in Life Aquatic. So, turn off your “Switched on Santa” and give this modern-synth Christmas a spin.

Bottom Line: Certainly growing on me – would love to have an actual download of it somewhere. 3.9/5

LISTEN

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Shy Nature “Sweet Winter Rain” (2014)

Shy Nature - Sweet Winter Rain

Self Released
Buy: Bandcamp

Shy Nature had one of my personal highlights last year with “It’s Christmas (Close Your Eyes).” They have returned with a brand new tune, paired with the wonderful one from last year, on a limited-edition cassette. Did I say limited? Yes… 25 copies! They artwork is handmade, and with it, you’ll own two great Christmas tunes by this wonderful British band.

Bottom Line: Two great seasonal originals you won’t be sad to own. 4.5/5

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Beans & Fatback “Tonight Girl I’m Coming Back Home (X-Mas Edit)” (2010)

Beans & Fatback "Tonight Girl I'm Coming Back Home"

Excelsior Recordings
Buy: Stream

The Netherlands’ own Beans & Fatback have just dropped a (I stand corrected – thanks Christmas A Go Go!) have a Christmas edit of “Tonight Girl I’m Coming Back Home,” and its a rocking, bar-band R&B good time. While it wasn’t originally a Christmas song, it very much works in the “Coming home for Christmas” milieu. They’ve even adjusted the lyrics very slightly to place it at Christmas, and it works perfectly. Check out this tune, then go down the rabbit-hole to their other stuff – its really pretty great.

Bottom Line: Solid Christmas R&B that could easily find a place on your mix. Points shaved off for no obvious way of purchasing or downloading this great song! 4.6/5

LISTEN

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Blades Club “What You Get Me (For Christmas)” (2012/2014/2015)

Blades Club "What You Get Me (For Christmas)"

Self Released
Buy: Bandcamp

This post has been edited for the 2015 remaster.

Dublin’s Blades Club‘s “What You Get Me (For Christmas)” is one of the best rocking out Christmas tunes I’ve heard this year. Originally released on Youtube back in 2012, you can now get a remastered, high-res FLAC download on Bandcamp! Blades Club has channeled the best parts of the Strokes, blended it with surf vibes and great lyrics to create an absolutely wonderful Christmas song. So, I would recommend a quick listen, then fork over a euro and support Blades Club!

Bottom Line: Simply said, fun rocking out Christmas tune. 4.8/5