We are less than a week away from Christmas, which means this week we are focusing on ‘New’ Christmas music. While the Christmas feeling might be far away this year with all these COVID restrictions, we hope to still get you in the right spirits with some new festive releases. Although it’s hard to create a new Christmas song that people love more than the older ones, many artists give it a try. Here’s what’s been released this season. 

Editor: Megan Hofman

Twenty one pilots – Christmas Saves The Year (Fueled By Ramen)

‘Christmas Saves The year’, is the new festive release from Twenty One Pilots. Well, let’s hope Christmas does save the year. It’s no secret that it’s been a tough year for a lot of people, if not all. But, with the new COVID Christmas restrictions in a lot of countries around the world, it’s unlikely it will save the year. The sound of the single is quite fitting for this year, it sounds despairing and nostalgic to a time where we could all see each other and have a ‘normal’ Christmas. The lyrics “Cause everybody wants to make it home this year/Even if the world is crumbling down” are very 2020. It’s touching and the recording sounds beautifully organic. Although it isn’t very uplifting it does have a Christmassy sound to it. So, if you are missing your family and friends and want to feel nostalgic, this song is ‘the’ song. 

https://www.instagram.com/twentyonepilots/

Words: Megan Hofman

Liam Payne ft Dixie D’Amelio – Naughty List (BMG) 

‘Naughty List’ by Liam Payne and Dixie D’Amelio is a new Christmas song that definitely should‘ve been left on the shelf. The pop song is kept very simple – not in a good way, the result sounds cheap and rushed. But maybe that‘s what happens if you combine an ex-boyband member that still only profits from the success he had years back with a Tik Tok creator that became famous through her sister, not her musical talent. ‘Naughty List’ sounds like a counting rhyme for children and the lyrics are easy to memorize, so reaching a younger audience might actually be their intention. Since D‘Amelio is just 20 years old and this is only her second song, one could explain the outcome by saying she just doesn‘t know her own sound yet, which would be a valid reason for her vocals to be drowned in autotune. Payne on the other hand knows better, as proven before with absolute dance hits like ‘Strip That Down’, ‘Familiar’ and ‘Stack It Up’ ft. A Boogie wit da Hoodie, but still chose to release this. With a Christmas song like that they are definitely right, Santa‘s naughty list is where the both of them belong.

https://www.instagram.com/liampayne/

Words: Victoria Madzak

Baby Queen – Santa Baby (Polydor) 

London based Bella Latham, better known as Baby Queen has had one busy year, releasing music left and right and building her incredibly loyal fanbase ‘The Baby Kingdom’. However, that did not stop her from also releasing a Christmas single this month. A cover of the classic ‘Santa Baby’ in full Baby Queen style. With the single she released a music video which is set in a dreamy pink snow globe world. Her unique vocals make this a real Baby Queen release instead of her just covering a classic. Better than the original? Well, I wouldn’t say that just yet, but it’s definitely on our Christmas Playlist! 

https://www.instagram.com/queenofthebabies/

Words: Megan Hofman

Liam Gallagher – All you’re dreaming of (Warner Music)

‘All You’re Dreaming Of’ is the newest single by ex-oasis frontman Liam Gallagher, who has swapped his typical rowdy festival tunes for a soft, soothing and hopeful piano ballad as we come to the end of a rather overwhelming year. Although Liam said, “it was never meant to be a Christmas song” he explains how this song brings a sense of being a kid “when Christmas was normal”. 

It’s no secret that this Christmas is going to be a lot different and a challenging time for a lot of people, but this track does give a sense of tranquillity and peacefulness which makes you feel as though you’re floating through the chaos. The piano that carries the song echoes that of a John Lennon song, which could be an honour to the music icon on the 40-year anniversary of his passing. The reaction to this song has been incredible so far and has even been described as a “hymn of hope” for many people. Despite this not being Gallagher’s typical style but from the song writing to the production, it’s definitely got all the aspects of a comforting and heartening song that we will reflect on for many years to come.

https://www.instagram.com/liamgallagher/

Words: Hollie Sacket