A Happy (Alternative) Holidays
We are approaching the Holiday season. A season often dominated by Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, and, of course, the incomparable Mariah Carey! While I do enjoy these classics, that’s not the music I listen to during this season. Since my emo phase when I was in middle school, I have compiled non-traditional, even alternative holiday tunes. This playlist expands every year as I seek to find new music to add. This year, I’m sharing my all-time favorites with you from albums to singles; there’s something for everyone.
August Burns Red, Sleddin’ Hill, A Holiday Album
August Burns Red has been making rock/metal Christmas albums for years. However, this album from 2012 has been in my rotation since it came out. They cover classic holiday songs, but in a metal/rock style. You can tell there’s a lot of love and care put into these covers. My personal favorite is “Flurries”.
Reliant K, Let It Snow Baby…Let It Reindeer
This is a holiday album you can put on, and your grandma wouldn’t notice. Reliant K created such fun Christmas tunes that get you in the mood for the season. They’re fun, charming, and at times make you laugh. There are few original songs that quickly become classics. With 17 songs, you can easily put it on at a holiday party or while the family is opening presents. If I had to pick one track, it would easily be “Good King Wenceslas”. The band is absolutely dying of laughter at the end of the song, which makes it THAT much better.
Weezer, Christmas With Weezer
I unintentionally added this to my Liked Songs on Spotify and will randomly be hit with a Weezer Christmas tune. It’s a fun game of roulette to keep me in the spirit all year round. Christmas With Weezer is a classic Weezer album, just with your favorite holiday tunes. There are only 6 songs on this EP, but it is worth adding to any festive party playlist. I can’t pick just one, so listen to them all!
Image via Spotify
Now we’re moving to singles that have to be included in every holiday-themed playlist. These singles range from great covers to emo originals for those melancholy holiday blues.
“Must Be Santa” - Kurt Vile
I can’t say that I’m very familiar with Kurt Vile’s discography. I found this tune while listening to my playlist on Spotify. It was quickly added to my rotation. I love the production on this track and the vocals from the kids. It’s super sweet, nostalgic, and the excitement of Christmas as a kid. Add it to your rotation this holiday season!
“Sickly Sweet Holidays” - Dallon Weekes
I was a huge Panic! At the Disco fan as a teenager. While Brendon Urie was the frontman and later the only member of the band, I loved Dallon Weekes and have since followed his solo work. Before the days of I DONT KNOW HOW BUT THEY FOUND ME, he released some solo work, including “Sickly Sweet Holidays”. It is depressing, I know that. There have been years when I haven’t been feeling it, and this helps me feel less alone in that feeling.
“Christmas Time Is Here” - Khruangbin
Vince Guaraldi Trio is synonymous with this time of year. Their work on the Charlie Brown soundtracks cemented their music to this season. There have been numerous covers of their hit “Christmas Time Is Here”, but none have stood out to me like Khruangbin. The beginning is almost ghostly, and by the time vocals come in, they sound like the Ghosts of Christmas past. The instrumentals are spot on. I love the low-key vibe of this song.
“It Feels Like Christmas” - Fall Out Boy
Like any normal person, I am a huge fan of The Muppet Christmas Carol. It’s one of the greatest films of all time (in my opinion), and it has one of the best movie soundtracks. While I listen to the original one during the Christmas season, I had to include this cover. Patrick Stump’s voice keeps the cosy feelings just with a little more edge. It feels like you would hear it in the credits of the original. There’s even a Kermit the Frog cameo. C’mon, you can’t get any better than that!
I hope you enjoyed my little taste of my holiday playlist! There are a few honorable mentions I’d love to shout out: “All I Want For Christmas Is You” by My Chemical Romance, “A Christmas Fuckin’ Miracle” by Run the Jewels, and “Where Are You Christmas?” by The Pretty Reckless. It’s not a full, comprehensive list, but just some of my favorite bangers. Here’s to hoping this will get you into the festive season and spark a little holiday joy. You can check out the playlist below.
