I was without my laptop for most of December but I got it back just in time for Christmas. It's been incredibly warm for Michigan and it's taken a lot of the holly jolly feel out of this season. We just got our first substantial amount of snow for the year, which is nearly unheard of. I've been relying on Christmas music to get me in the spirit but I can't stand hearing the same few overplayed songs for months out of every year, so I always make a point to make my own Christmas playlist. I'll include my full Spotify playlist at the end of the post if you're interested in hearing more of what I've been listening to. I'm not going to include Sufjan Stevens, The Killers or She & Him in this list but they all have lovely Christmas singles/albums as well if you want something that better suits your taste. I'd would also suggest every volume of A Very Special Christmas which has a variety of wildly known alternative artists.
Seasick Steve - Xmas Prison Blues
This is hands down my favourite Christmas song. Something about the Blues just lights me up inside. It's a different take on the holidays for sure, but I find it quite refreshing.
Fireflies - X-mas Song
There is no way I can think to describe this other than floaty. I'm a big fan of breathy vocals so this is right up my alley. This is one of those songs I wouldn't feel odd listening throughout the year.
Helen Anderson - All I Want for Christmas
I know this is a widely popular song but I feel like her cover adds a little something I don't get from any other version. If you're thinking you recognize her it's because she's a popular youtuber formerly known as "Melon Lady" and lead singer of the band Box of Light. Her voice comes through like sparkling crystal. (Bonus: Check out her breathtaking cover of Ragged Wood by Fleet Foxes here. It still has a wintery feel to it.)
The Minus 5 - Your Christmas Whisky
If you're looking for a lighthearted song, this is it. It manages to keep upbeat without doing overly joyous as I find so many Christmas songs are. It's perfect to have playing in the background of a drunken holiday party, that's for sure.
Galaxie 500 - Listen, Snow is Falling
Softly this song carries me into a dream state. How is there not an indie Christmas movie centered around some strangely cheerful manic pixie dream girl with this song as the backdrop? With high vocals and slow spacey guitar riffs this is my ideal type of festive tune. Just enough to pull me back from losing it after hearing "Holly Jolly Christmas" 50 times in one day.
Los Campesinos! - The Holly & The Ivy
Classic woodsy indie folk at it's most festive. I can easily visualize deer in a snowy forest on the way home Christmas day from the very start of this track. It feels like a Michigan Christmas to me. I don't know if people in warmer climates would have a similar experiences but I enjoy it.
Gianni and Sarah - Fairytale of New York
I love this so much. I feel the need to add that there are slurs included in this, but I couldn't keep myself from including it.This is a bitter Christmas classic. I look forward to it every year.
G. Love - Christmas Baby
As far as Christmas songs go, this is one of the most laid back ones. It really lends itself to easy listening so you don't have to feel especially festive to want to hear it. G. Love has a fair amount of holiday songs and I'm a fan of all of them but this one happens to be topping my list right now.
The Walkmen - In the New Year
If you've been into top 40 alternative over the past few years, you'll probably like The Walkmen. It sounds a bit like a mash up of Cold War Kids and Arctic Monkeys.
My entire playlist is on Spotify: Listen here
