Tag: 4+

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Christmas Aguilera “Santa’s Car” (2014)

Christmas Aguilera "Santa's Car"

Self Released
Buy: Bandcamp

It is no secret that I absolutely love Christmas Aguilera. So… I keep in touch and annoyingly e-mail them each year, wondering if they are doing a new Christmas song. Therefore, I knew a song was coming, and think it’s well worth the wait. CA always takes a different tack when it comes to writing Christmas songs, and I greatly appreciate that. A tale is spun of Santa experiencing massive budget cuts, with Christmas spirit in steep decline. Yet he persists, and there’s a sweetness to the melody that lifts it from its dreary premise towards that glimmer of hope. As always, this song benefits their local homeless charity in East London – so you have no reason not to buy this song. Well done, Christmas Aguilera.

In a somewhat related matter, you should also check out Hero and Leander. Just cuz. Not that they might be part of this mysterious Christmas Aguilera band… Did Steve tell you that? That Steve…

Bottom Line: I never know what to expect, and this more subdued tune is yet another piece in a beautiful puzzle. 4.8/5

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Red Sleeping Beauty “Merry Christmas, Marie” (2014)

Red Sleeping Beauty

Shelflife Records
Buy: 7Digital MP3 | Amazon MP3 | Amazon.uk MP3 | Amazon.de MP3 | Amazon.fr MP3

Red Sleeping Beauty returned from a long hiatus earlier this year, which was wonderful news in my world. To top it all off, for their first new song in 17 years, they recorded a new Christmas song! “Merry Christmas, Marie” sounds like classic RSB. This is high-quality indie pop, and for those who love 1990s-2000s indie pop, a gift from above.

Bottom Line: Red Sleeping Beauty has returned, doing what they do best. 4.5/5

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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

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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

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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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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

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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

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Kate Canaveral “Merry Christmas Everyone” (2014)

Kid Canaveral

Lost Map Records
Buy: Free!

Kid Canaveral are a Scottish indie pop band who weaseled their way onto my 2013 mix with “Low Winter Sun.” They also throw a Christmas party called “Christmas Baubles,” and are on their fifth year of this wonderful event. I say wonderful, but alas, I only imagine it is… since I can’t pop across the pond for every Christmas concert.

Kate Canaveral is one quarter of Kid Canaveral, and she has taken it upon herself as self-appointed “head of mainland operations” for Lost Map records to record and release a great little electro-indie-pop cover of Shakin’ Stevens’ “Merry Christmas Everyone.” I sure hope that Lost Map gives us a few more tracks for #Baublemas!

Bottom Line: Great choice for a cover – and certainly put her own mark on it! 4.5/5

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