With Jack Frost nipping at our heels, we're having to combine a whole batch of Xmas singles into one mega review - otherwise they'll be the earliest 2025 Xmas single reviews ever. It would be a shame to let these little gems pass unnoticed so in no particular order.
One of the the low lights of not getting to Buckle & Boots this year was missing out on seeing Kier, who we'd flagged as one to watch on the basis of the excellent "Welcome To The Strange Life" album, surely deserving of being a stocking filler in any Americana loving household. With "Christmas To Me" she brings the same lyrical eloquence to bear over the yuletide season
It opens to a guitar and Kier making the most unusual of statements
"Did I ever tell you - you remind me of a Christmas tree?"
Not the normal sort of Christmas banter however it acts as the perfect lead in for an explanation of just why that might be.
"Something like a Norway spruce that climbs to the roof
With a special something underneath
And if you ever let me, I'll remind you
Of just what you mean to me
When you've got a Bailey's to sip
Place a star on the tip
You're the thing that makes it all complete"
The whole tune is full of eminently quotable lines and shows that you can evoke the feeling of Christmas with out going all bells, whistles and choirs. It is delivered in a beautifully modern way with a relaxed feel that follows through into the accompanying video complete with a rocking chair and "Hook The Duck"!
"You're the ginger bread baking
The sleep kids are faking
The magic the music the glee
You're what Christmas means to them to me"
Next up is Wood Burnt Red -with their lively and fun version of Chuck Berry's "Run Rudolph Run. This is heads down. no nonsense boogie, done with tongue firmly in cheek and it is just the recipe for a rocking Christmas.
Laden with backing vocals and little comic additions such as the guitar riff on the line
"All I Want for Christmas is a rock 'n' roll electric guitar" it pays homage to the original and then ramps up the volume.
With a rocking guitar solo and little asides Wood Burnt Red are clearly having fun being given free reign to just make mayhem.
An equally fun packed video comes with it - it's another song to just put on and enjoy.
In terms of stirring Christmas hits, the benchmark is always the Pogues "Fairytale of New York". Nothing has ever come close to it, until maybe now for "Next Time Around" by Noble Jacks and Elles Bailey certainly gives a good account of itself.
The fiddle, drum and piano intro immediately anchors the song in the time of the season, it perfectly sets the scene for some words of wisdom which duly follow.
"Was it September?, I can't remember
Been chasing your ghost for so long
I watched you leaving, while you left me dreaming
Singing the same old song
We can't go back and there's no chasing time
We just need to draw he line"
As a festive sentiment - it's a time of year when families come together and the suggestion of drawing the line would probably be welcomed across the land!
The chorus is equally magnanimous
"The flickering lights dance round the tree
We'll share a drink baby, two maybe three
Leave cards on the table
Bring the house down down down
Do better the next time around"
The second verse sees Elles Bailey appear and it turns into more of a duet - the other character in the song given a voice
"Were you deserted?, did you deserve it?
You wore your heart on your sleeve
Outspoken and bold, all the stories you told
You gave us the chance to believe
We can't go back and there's no chasing time
We just need to draw the line"
The key line that we here at #TEAMw21 can agree with all too readily is
"Savour the moment,it's only a moment - who knows if we'll be here again?
The video is set in a pub and there is a genuine spirit of bon homie in the air and a sense that the true spirit of Christmas has been captured. Another must for you Christmas playlist.
Last but certainly not least is Brooke Law's "Home" - We have made it our annual mission to bring this to the public's attention for being one of the greatest Christmas songs ever.
From the first 10 piano notes that perfectly evoke a Christmas vibe, this song takes no prisoners. It is jam packed with drama, lovely little details that really make it believable and surely the first ever reference in a pop song of the phrase "Hot Toddy's!". This in many ways has all the hallmarks of classic songwriting, firstly a cracking tune, secondly a simple premise - this one is just wanting someone beloved to come back home, and finally keep it simple and uncluttered - this ticks all the boxes and then some.
The opening couplet sets the scene, perfectly, it gives us some information yet leaves plenty for the listeners imagination to fill in. It is never expressly revealed why the person cannot come "Home",which again allows each person the chance to interpret the lyrics according to their own situation.
Brooke plays the part perfectly of someone thinking their deepest thoughts aloud
"We were meant to go away this year, and spend Christmas right here, right where we always do
Haven't dressed the tree quite yet - you always fix the tinsel best - I guess I might have to
Right now I don't even wanna be ......."
Brooke and co writer Sophie Ackroyd will approach the chorus via different lead in's each time, another classic songwriting technique.
"Home - till you come back home - The front door is the only bell that I want to hear ringing
Come back home - when it snows - wrap me up and keep me warm the only thing I want is you home"
The second verse only ups the feelings of isolation and loneliness
"Everything is red and gold - winter's never been so cold - could you light the fire please" - the angst in that final word is palpable and you can all but feel Brooke shivering.
"Hot toddy doesn't taste the same - I'm writing presents with your name - that you won't get to see
Until you're gonna come back to me"
The second visit to the chorus ups the ante musically - there are little flourishes in the background, the faint Christmas bells get ever louder, it all adds to the overall build up of sound
Brooke's vocal on the bridge exemplifies why she is such a special talent, the first half of which sees her slide through the scales in a silky smooth fashion before giving us just a burst of power on the final home in "Will you come back home" ending in a wonderful controlled extended note
"Sat here at the table and I'm saving you a place - I know you're coming later and I know you're on your way
Back home, will you come back home? Will you come back home?
The third visit to the chorus is at first brutally stark - just Brooke and the piano and then things fleetingly explode into action with strings and backing vocals, this time Brooke's final mention of the word "Home" is the end of the song apart from a piano outro that references the introductory piano phrase..
Clocking in at just under 3 minutes - "Home" the best present you could give anyone this year!!