With Halloween and Thanksgiving out of the limelight, many have begun to look towards one of the biggest holidays of the year: Christmas. With festive lights and boughs of holly at every corner accompanied by the cold, December’s unique vibes call for a change in music. While timeless Christmas classics may donn your playlists, we’ve unwrapped discographies and found more niche beats that serve as a pleasant listen.
“I Am The Grinch” – Tyler, The Creator ft. Fletcher Jones
Starting off with a seemingly arbitrary draw, this song features in Illumination’s “The Grinch,” an adaptation of Dr. Suess’ classic Christmas tale. Despite originating from a children’s movie, “I Am The Grinch” certainly knocked my socks off during the first listen. Tyler, The Creator’s alternative hip-hop style is prominent throughout the song, with abstract instruments forming a strong melodic feel, alongside Fletcher Jones’ soft and sweet vocals near the end of the song. All in all, if you’re a fan of hip-hop and are in a crux for a modern and unorthodox Christmas beat, “I Am The Grinch” is the perfect track to listen to.
“Better Than Snow” – Norah Jones and Laufey
What happens when Laufey, an Icelandic jazz singer, and Norah Jones, an American contemporary artist, collaborate on an extended play? A beautiful and original Christmas song is penned mixing their unique and iconic styles! The two have quite contrasting features — while Jones carries a raspy, warm voice, Laufey holds a velvety, chilling tone. Jones’ authentic, acoustic guitar plays alongside Laufey’s classical jazz orchestral backing. Despite their differences in retrospect, the two surprisingly mix well in their duet, carrying a lulling feeling through the song. Though it is soft and slow-paced in comparison to other songs, “Better Than Snow” is the perfect song to ground your Christmas glee with.
“Skating” – Vince Guaraldi
Originating from the soundtrack of “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” this song evokes a sense of childhood nostalgia for the audience, with Charlie Brown and the Peanuts franchise being the cornerstone of American childhood culture. Many of the Charlie Brown films are still popular watches today despite being made in the 1960s, being played as TV specials throughout the biggest holidays. In comparison to the other songs on the soundtrack, “Skating” isn’t well-known or immediately recognizable. However, unlike the other songs on this list, this track has no lyrics whatsoever, instead taking you on a journey with hints of West Coast and contemporary jazz influences. If you need a fresh break from grand, symphonic Christmas songs, “Skating” is the perfect instrumental to listen to anywhere.
“Peppermint Tea” – Xavier Omär and Alex Isley
With a clear R&B and soul lead, “Peppermint Tea” holds a lovely vocal composition and layering. A relatively slow-paced listen, the song focuses on its vocal talent especially, with a warming harmony from Omär and Isley and many backing vocals powering the song’s relaxed and saccharine sound. Holding a similar sound and genre as the iconic holiday song, “Let it Snow,” with a similar jingle and pace, “Peppermint Tea” feels like a minted Christmas classic already.
“Wrap Me Up” – Jhene Aiko
The sound of fireplace crackling, bells jingling, and a delicate piano culminate into the perfect Christmas mood in “Wrap Me Up.” Aiko’s gentle vocals guide the tone with a delicate yet charming performance from her. Alongside a catchy chorus and references to other classic Christmas songs like “Silent Night,” this single truly wraps you up in a melodic dream.
