Self Released
Buy: Stream
New Jersey’s Morning River Band somehow wrote a song back in 2007 that feels more 2026 than anything else I’ve heard so far this year. An alt.country downer of a song for a downer of year, they captured something sadly timeless. The last two verses really hit me.
There’ll be no present ‘neath the tree tomorrow
Dirt and dust and ash is all we’ll find
’cause Santa Claus can’t save us from each other
And Jesus Christ won’t wash away our lies.
Oh, I wish you all a very merry Christmas
Spread the joy this season claims to bring
But don’t expect to hear a round of classic carols
Those too scared to speak refuse to sing
“Those too scared to speak refuse to sing”… What a killer line for sunken times. All I can think of is Trump’s tour of “retribution,” and the fear it has instilled in so many critics, media outlets, universities, and just plain old folks who are trying to keep off his radar.
Three weeks. Three weeks. Three weeks.
Bottom Line: A time-traveling song for your 2026 mix, especially if shit goes sideways.
