Tag: Bandcamp

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Snowed In (A Merge Records Holiday Album) (2026)

A snowy path surrounded by snow covered trees on each side.

Merge Records
Buy: Merge | Bandcamp

Merge Claus strikes again! They’ve been generous with us in the past, releasing one of the strongest compilations of recent memory, You Wish, back in 2019. They’re back and have already blessed us with that amazing Superchunk EP, and now a full compilation LP, Snowed In.

There is a little for everyone here – originals, covers, and classics sprinkled throughout the album. Snowed In succeeds where others often fail, serving each category beautifully and crafting a great listen from start to finish. This album is all killer, no filler.

I can’t decide whether writing a great new Christmas song is easier or harder than performing a classic that brings the baggage of years and many, many versions. I suspect the latter may indeed be tougher, so I do appreciate when someone can keep me engaged. The lead track, Charlotte Cornfield’s version of “Jingle Bells,” has enough warmth in its shuffle to make me smile, and sets a lovely tone to begin the album. Great start.

The originals are always the most exciting, and there are some stellar new additions on this record. Case Oats jumped out immediately with the propulsive “Peace on Earth,” and those (trombone?) flourishes are unexpected and truly fantastic.

Mike Krol adds another new Christmas song to pair with his stellar 2019 track, “Won’t Be Alone Tonight,” and oh boy, “How Could It Be Christmas?” does not disappoint. These two songs could be paired as one of the most indispensable indie rock Christmas 7-inch singles of all time.

There are more great original songs on here – another version of Superchunk’s fantastic “Shortest Day of the Year,” as well as a new Christmas song by The New Pornographers. If I am not mistaken, the first Christmas song by The New Pornographers since their 2007 The Spirit of Giving EP. Welsh indie rock band The Tubs also rock out with their “I Am an Elf,” giving us all the closest thing we’ll ever get to a Joanna Gruesome Christmas song (2012’s “Holiday Armadillo” doesn’t count).

There are some inspired covers here as well, such as Telekinesis’ “Christmas in Suburbia,” originally by indie legends The Cleaners from Venus. My hot take? This is better than the original, and better than any version I’ve ever heard. Come at me, Martin Newell-heads!

There is much more to be had on this record, with more great covers and classics all worth your time. I’m really enjoying this record, and could see 2-3 songs being on this year’s mix. This is a must-buy, so go buy it already! You have no choice! The spirit of alternative Christmas compells you!

Bottom Line: An indie rock holiday compilation that is enjoyable all the way through? Unheard of! Or is it… ? Go buy this record!

Edit: I had this post all ready to add single tracks where appropriate, and they turned off the preview. I’m sure all the songs will be there Friday… but for now, you’ll have to be enticed by my terrible descriptions!

LISTEN

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UPCOMING: Snowflake Christmas Singles Club 2026 (12/11/2026)

Snowflakes Christmas Singles
Buy: Snowflakes | Bandcamp

There are a few of us Christmas music bloggers (check out my blogroll!) who enjoy hunting down interesting new (or old) Christmas tunes and sharing them with the billions of people on the planet who are hanging on every spelling error we make. Then, there are people like Robert over at the Snowflake Christmas Singles Club who actually release NEW Christmas music into the world. Robert loves Christmas music, specifically Christmas 7″ records (read his blog too!), and as they say, he puts his money where his mouth is, and we all benefit.

The premise of the Snowflake Christmas Singles Club (from here on, SCSC) is to have a brand-new Christmas/winter/holiday song on the A-side, with a cover chosen by the band on the flip. Pressed on snow-white vinyl and limited to 320 copies, these records are a special treat that has introduced me to many mix-worthy tunes in the past. How about we take a look at the 2026 crop of releases!

The first band that caught my eye is the jangle-pop band Josie from Denmark. With nods to C86 and twee pop, you know this badass motherfucker is going to be down to clown. Sorry… I get all aggro when I talk about my love of twee, jangly indiepop – as we all do, yes? My buddy Ned also loves and recommends their debut LP, A Life on Sweets Alone, and our Venn diagram of musical taste very much overlaps with indiepop wonderfulness. Their cover of the Orchids’ 1964 song “Mr. Scrooge” sounds incredibly intriguing: “Josie sticks fairly closely to the original arrangement and adds 1980s indie pop sensibilities to create the perfect fusion of 1960s girl pop and 1980s indie pop.” I want to listen to an entire record that sounds like that.

How about some MORE indiepop! Yes please! I’m only now being introduced to Amelia and The Housewifes, but hey – they’re pretty new! Their self-titled debut LP only came out in October, so I can’t beat myself up too much. What I have heard of that record has me terribly excited to hear their new song, “Snowgaze.” But now I have to wait until DECEMBER… but at least I can buy their S/T record for something to pass the time with!

Bristol’s Eva May sounds like a singer out of time. I just listened to her latest 7″, Where Does the Time Go (limited to 250 and still available on Full Time Hobby), and I’m feeling some serious Joni Mitchell vibes. Her holiday original, “Softly,” even promises to incorporate folk and avant-garde jazz elements… so that’s another data point for a Joni Mitchell comparison. Which, to be fair, is like comparing someone to Michael Jordan – flattering for sure, but what a weight of expectation. Let’s just take it as pure flattery, and wet your whistle on that other 7″ I was talking about while we wait.

Finally, we’ve got some reggae/ska/rocksteady in the final single, produced by UK-based producer, musician, music teacher, and studio and label owner Neil Anderson of Original Gravity Records, and featuring the vocals of Donnoya Drake on the original A-side, and Junior Dell on the Slade classic “Merry Christmas Everybody.” I do love a reggae reworking – one of my favorite 7″s I own is a bootleg reggae release called Caribbean Cooke Vol. 2, where they reworked Sam Cooke tunes into reggae bangers. Can’t wait to hear this one too!

Bottom Line: A fantastic lineup – perhaps my favorite one yet? The digital singles come out on Nov. 20, and preorders will ship before the end of November. The OFFICIAL release date for the vinyl is December 11th… so you mixers who are aiming for an early December release are in luck, cause you’ll have those digi singles early!

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Sjowgren “This Year for Christmas” (2021)

An arm wearing a black sweater is outstretched, holding a festive pinecone ornament on a stark white background.

Long Time Friend Discount
Buy: Bandcamp

Earlier today, I found myself considering messaging the San Francisco duo Sjowgren with a question/request – for them to put their 2021 Christmas song “This Year for Christmas” on Bandcamp. I had found it curious that they hadn’t included it on their latest collection (which I reallllly want), Singles Collection 2015-2021. I got distracted, didn’t send the message, went home and made dinner, only to see a message from Sjowgren that they have posted their Christmas song for the season. Fantastic – it appears my powers are growing.

“This Year for Christmas” is a drowsy indie rock song with a wistful, messy, nostalgic, slightly melancholy, yet confident feel; A kind of complicated mixture of emotion that fits perfectly with the season, and is like a drug for me. This song has been on my Christmas mix short list for years, waiting for the right moment. Perhaps the moment has come for me this year – perhaps it has come for you. Every day is new, and we are complicated creatures…

Bottom Line: Short, beautiful, messy, and stone-cold mixworthy.

LISTEN

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Cut Worms “The Bells of Christmas Eve” (2026)

Jajaguwar
Buy: Bandcamp

Brooklyn’s Cut Worms (Max Clarke) has just dropped a lovely little Christmas song, “The Bells of Christmas Eve.” The song has a warm, timeless feel, and some seriously dark lyrical content. I mean… it starts off quite beautifully, with swaying pianos and guitars under Max’s delicate voice.

Fields full of snow, miles still to go
Moon shining blue in all the white
Winds are picking up, ice cold and rough
Lost in the year’s longest night

However, the song quickly takes a turn…

Silence in the pines whisper down the line
The sky all ripped starless and black
Here we shall remain, still waiting on a train
That ain’t ever coming back

Smoke is on the wind where the rockets once had been
Cries through the ages in grief
Peace will surely come, you’ll say it can’t be done
Just don’t say it to me
Just don’t say it to me

“The sky all ripped starless and black” – that is pretty damn ominous. But the last bit, “Peace will surely come, you’ll say it can’t be done / Just don’t say it to me,” seems rather hopeful. Though we return to the haunting chorus…

Still is the night
Bells of Christmas Eve
Voices come back to life
Are they all talking to me?

I could see this on a somewhat politically charged mix – you know, one that might throw in a jab or two at the bloodthirsty leaders who reside around the world (and at home). Cuz it’s Christmas, you know…

Bottom Line: A beautiful, complicated song for anxious, complicated times.

LISTEN

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Prince Daddy & The Hyena “If I’m Still Broke By Christmas” (2017)

The image is a drawing of a skeleton wearing a dress annd a hat with horns. Devils fly around the skeleton and flames rise in the background. An alligator and 5 swords litter the ground.

Death Protector Collective
Buy: Bandcamp (NYOP)

Sometimes you want something a bit harder, but you don’t need another song about the apocalypse or how Christmas totally sucks. Luckily, back in 2017, Albany, NY punk band Prince Daddy & The Hyena dropped the deceptively sweet “If I’m Still Broke By Christmas.” Who knew that I’d love a punk rock Christmas song with a line like “I know it takes a while / To snap me out of bitchy fits.” No doubt the first Christmas song with the phrase “bitchy fits” in it; I’m pretty confident about that. The song continues with “But I really like your smile / Regardless of the mood i’m in,” which is pretty fucking heartwarming. Don’t get too cozy though – we’re leading up to lots of screeching guitars, particularly after this last bit…

If I’m still broke by Christmas
I know, it sounds, a little fucked
I think you’ll like the solo coming up
<commence air guitars…… now>

If you’re like me, you’re in agreement with the singer, loving the solo, and have already forgotten this is a Christmas song.

Looks like Prince Daddy & The Hyena are also on tour right now, should you have a few bucks and dig their vibe.

Bottom Line: A mixworthy tune with that perfect juxtaposition of punk rock and true love.

LISTEN

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Robert Earl Thomas “Merry Christmas from the Silhouette Lounge” (2024)

A man with short hair and a beard is leaning against a brick wall. The title of the song "Merry Christmas from the Silhouette Lounge" is above him, and his initials, "R.E.T." is written in the bottom right corner.

Le Tex Recs
Buy: Bandcamp

Sometimes little things grab you, and that grip can be enough to keep you coming back. A little dopamine hit, an acknowledgement that you found something you truly enjoy. Those fluttering saxophone lines (saxophone, right? Am I crazy to be second-guessing myself?)… those saxophones are the hook that reeled me in on Robert Earl Thomas‘ “Merry Christmas from the Silhouette Lounge.” A gentle song about a gambling addict on Christmas, the song has a warm sadness. I could see this song pairing well with Tom Waits’ “Christmas Card from a Hooker in Minneopolis”… Truly a grower; give it a few listens.

Of note – this is a somewhat high-profile indie Christmas song to slip by for nearly two years now. I mean, Robert Earl Thomas is half of the excellent Captured Tracks’ band Widowspeak! By my calculations, only the excellent START TRACK blog has highlighted this song. Heck, and I didn’t even discover this song through them – it was just a random search! Finding these songs is hard, man. There’s another holiday track by R.E.T. as well, a serviceable cover of Tom Petty’s “Christmas All Over Again.” I’ll drop that below as well.

Bottom Line: If you aren’t feeling the first 30 seconds, just wait for the chorus. Better yet, wait for that second chorus… It’s gonna pay off. I just know it.

LISTEN

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UPCOMING: Sufjan Stevens – Worst Christmas Ever! (11/6/2026)

Asthmatic Kitty
Buy: Asthmatic Kitty | Bandcamp | Rough Trade Exclusive Variant | Dinked

Well… Hi there.

I’m back, ready to write about some Christmas tunes, fret about the world we live in, and make an attempt not to take each day for granted… as we wait for the AI-apocalypse.

Sufjan Stevens is back too… with a bunch old songs, and a small sprinkling of new. Announced today, the new compilation LP, Worst Christmas Ever!, pulls together some of (what they consider to be) Sufjan’s best Christmas songs onto one album. I imagine this is a better physical-media listening experience than most of the EPs, which require lots of flipping, swapping and listening to some of those throw-away tracks.

Now for the main reason to consider this record… the new song. Technically… there are 2 new songs, one original and one cover. The original, “On This Christmas (It Only Gets Better)” is included on the LP, as well as on a limited 7″ only available from the label (as a bundle) and some select stores to be named later. The 7″ is really where it is at… as it has an additional unreleased song, a cover of “Christmas Time is Here.”

I sure would love to just buy that 7″… I will wager that I’m going to pass on this bundle (which would set me back nearly $50) in the hopes of grabbing that 7″ elsewhere… and it is going to slip by me. I waited on the vinyl box sets as well, and regretted that too.

Will I learn from my past mistakes? I’m human, and American… so probably not.

EDIT: There are a few additional versions out there – variants via Rough Trade and a Dinked Edition (which has exclusive stickers and a different vinyl colorway) so far. I’m sure there will be more.

Bottom Line: I’m equal parts intrigued and conflicted (Do I need to buy these songs again?) and waiting for my $5000 check from Daddy Trump. Oh orange god-man, please give me money to buy records. I will let you destroy everything for record money…

(If you don’t sense the sarcasm… I assure you it is there.)

LISTEN

Here’s a teaser.

EDIT: The new song is indeed very, very good.

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Les petits Mutins de Noël “La Bombe avant Noël” (2025)

Self Released
Buy: Bandcamp

Les petits Mutins de Noël are a Christmas punk band, comprised of more French bands than you can count on one hand: Monster Mash, Supersports, Acid Gras, Die Vräcks, Louis Lingg and The Bombs, and The Flug. This new song, “La Bombe avant Noël” (The Bomb Before Christmas), piqued my interest simply based on their sound. This may be a whole mess of bands smashed together – and somehow they sound fucking great. The song itself, after some AI-magic translation, appears to be about coming into a family Christmas with the intention of blowing it up (metaphorically). That sounds like a perfect premise for a punk Christmas song – way better than pop-punkifying a Christmas carol…

I also really loved their intro to the song on Bandcamp, posted below in translation:

Oh Oh OooOoh Shit!
For this end of the year, a little log to toss in your fireplace, on your screen (with a fake fireplace), or in a barricade (with a real bastard fire) to stoke things up.
Short, slow-burning log cut by your favorite forest rangers:
Monster Mash, Supersports, Acide Gras, Die Vräcks, Louis Lingg and The Bombs, and The Flug.
With Love, Elf’s word

Bottom Line: French punk perfection.

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Daphne’s Demise “Just Like Christmas” (2025)

Perpetual Doom
Buy: Bandcamp

Lord knows this song has been covered to death. But there are some songs that I don’t mind hearing cover after cover of… and Low’s “Just Like Christmas” is most certainly in that camp. Heck, Christmas A Gogo has a yearly post gathering the latest covers. So, another cover… what can you find in yet another cover of this song? Perpetual Doom is a label that I love, often releasing singer/songwriters who have a tendency for alt.country, but perhaps a bit more attitude than would suit the mainstream. I admit, I’m predisposed to be excited to hear something from this label, and thus I’m here chatting with you about Daphne’s Demise, and their new cover of “Just Like Christmas.” Daphne’s Demise (aka Zoë S-Bouffard) takes this song, nearly strips it of all adornment, and lets you bask in the simple beauty that is this classic song. This is my ultimate Christmas song… and when someone can find themselves in it… I’m here for it.

Bottom Line: Simple and beautiful.

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Lonesome Doves – Lonesome Doves Christmas Album (2025)

Self Released
Buy: Bandcamp

Vermont’s Lonesome Doves have released a 4-song EP of original Christmas songs, the appropriately titled Lonesome Doves Christmas Album, all of which share a slow tempo, as well as the beautiful vocals of Scarlett… who truly does not miss a note. It is not often that an indie rock band is notable for the vocalist’s ability to sing… but Lonesome Doves are certainly an exception. You may find yourself attracted to the first track, “Peacegiving,” as you contemplate our current state of affairs. Perhaps you’ll connect with the vegan-leaning “Psyciatric Help 5 Cents,” which not only sings about not killing things that breathe, but also about dancing around like a cartoon, which we very much do in my house. These songs are the kind of songs I might want to listen to at night, drinking a spiked eggnog and looking at the fire. It’s not going to get you all amped up, it’s the kind of Christmas music that is going to leave you sitting… thinking…

Bottom Line: These aren’t pop hits, but they might touch something a bit deeper if you let them.

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