Finding the perfect song is one of the best ways to add Holiday cheer to this upcoming season. Whether you prefer the classic staples or want to spice up your playlist with some new singles, The Orchard has you covered. Snuggle up by the fireplace and check out the list below to find your Holiday spirit, whether it’s through Country, Classical, Pop, Latin, or Rock.
“Christmas EveL” – Stray Kids (JYP Entertainment)
K-pop group Stray Kids surprised fans with a special holiday present, their seasonal single “Christmas EveL.” The new phrase, created by adding the letter “L” to “Christmas Eve,” is part of Stray Kids’ unique pattern of creating new phrases to communicate with fans. Under the theme of “Christmas Rascal,” they will greet their global fanbase with this surprise Christmas present.
“No Hay” – El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico (Rimas Entertainment LLC.)
To celebrate their 60-year-long career, El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico presents their fans with a festive track to help them prepare for the Holiday season: “No Hay.” The song tells a story of a musician playing at a Christmas party and details his experience watching the guests enjoy his music, food, and drink. This uptempo song is the group’s first Christmas song in 36 years, and is also the lead single from their long-awaited Holiday album, De Trulla con El Combo.
“The Dreidel Song” – Benny Benack III (La Reserve Records LLC)
Benny Benack III re-energizes a Hanukkah classic with a Jazz remix of “The Dreidel Song.” The track is part of the Jazz duo’s Holiday album, Season’s Swinging Greetings: Deluxe Edition, which includes a mix of original material by arranger/pianist Steven Feifke and trumpeter/vocalist Benny Benack III, as well as some familiar holiday repertoire. With guest appearances from some of New York’s finest musicians, including rising star redist Alexa Tarentino, vocalist Alita Moses, and vibraphonist Warren Wolf, the album is sure to bring a Jazz swing to your Holiday festivities.
“Home to You (This Christmas)” – Sigrid (Petroleum Records)
Pop artist Sigrid puts a wintery touch on her 2019 ballad, “Home To You (This Christmas).” The Norwegian singer opens the song with a new line, singing: “Couldn’t wait till I got outside/ Searching for those Christmas lights.” What inspired Sigrid to remake her soul-baring ballad? Sigrid explains, “‘Home To You’ has always had a Christmas spirit since we wrote it. It’s about my hometown and the house I grew up in with my family.”
“Deck the Halls (Belle Chen Rework)” – Belle Chen (Eito Music)
Talented Australian-Taiwanese pianist and producer, Belle Chen, creates a beautiful Classical landscape around the Holiday staple, “Deck the Halls.” Chen’s gentle and festive re-imagination of the popular Christmas tune on the piano adds a warm atmosphere to the usually upbeat classic. Be sure to check out her album, A Nod to Christmas, to hear Chen’s three other re-works of seasonal songs including “Jingle Bells,” “Good King Wenceslas,” and “Alle Mod (After Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 4).”
“Saviour” – L. Shankar (Cleopatra Records)
Celebrate the holidays with esteemed violinist and vocalist, India-born L. Shankar. In his newest album, Christmas From India, L. Shankar recreates many treasured holiday classics with the sound of tablas, sitar, violin, and vocals to craft a unique festive album like no other. Known for his impressive agile playing and unique voice, Shankar has collaborated with some of music’s biggest artists from Frank Zappa, to Peter Gabriel, U2, Bruce Springsteen, and Madonna to name a few.
“Just Like Christmas” – Moscow Apartment (Hazel Street Records)
Rock out this Holiday season with Moscow Apartment’s “Just Like Christmas.” The 2021 Indies Award Group of the Year winners have turned heads with their lush, harmony-imbued songs and timeless lyrics. Recently signed to Hazel Street Records, the fast-emerging teenage duo will bring an indie-rock energy to your Holiday celebrations.
“Somewhere in My Memory” – The Dawdler (Akira Records)
The Dawdler’s ethereal take on ambient folk fits so perfectly over this Christmas classic. This fresh take on John Williams’ Grammy-nominated hit stays true to both the original track as well as The Dawdler’s signature sound. In all, the indie artist succeeds in reinventing “Somewhere in My Memory” by adding in a layer of emotional depth that gives this soul-baring rendition a new life.
“Ano Hi No Merry Christmas” – ARASHI (J Storm Inc.)
ARASHI, one of Japan’s longest-running and most popular supergroups, brings another Holiday anthem to the table with “Ano Hi No Merry Christmas.” The J-Pop band has had a 21-year-long career, but are nowhere near stopping now: this year, they released a behind-the-scenes TV series “Arashi’s Diary Voyage” on Netflix and put out their first three English-language singles, including a collaboration with Bruno Mars.
“Let It Snow” – Deborah Silver & Casey Abrams (Glitter & Grits Records / MRI Entertainment)
Jazz artist Deborah Silver and American Idol Finalist Casey Abrams join forces to recreate the seasonal classic, “Let It Snow.” Produced by Grammy award winning producer Steve Tyrell and Jon Allen, the track offers a refreshing and jazz-influenced new version of the Holiday anthem.
“There’s a New Kid in Town” (feat. Jeneé Fleenor) – Brian Callihan (Reviver Records, LLC.)
Have a Honkey Tonk Christmas with Brian Callihan’s country single, “There’s a New Kid in Town.” Featuring the 2021 CMA Award Musician of the Year recipient, Jeneé Fleenor, the ballad is bound to get you into the Nashville Holiday spirit. Callihan kicks off his Christmas themed tour this week in Arkansas, and continues to Tennessee and Georgia throughout December.
“Navidad Sin Ti” – Ralphy Dreamz (ParkEastMusic LLC)
Ralphy Dreamz is no stranger to adding a unique touch of Bachata flavor to your favorite Holiday music, and he continues to do so with his remake of “Navidad Sin Ti.” In 2019, the Dominican artist recreated the Christmas classic, “Feliz Navidad,” as well as “Mistletoe” in 2020. This year, Dreamz’s recreation of “Navidad Sin Ti” will no doubt add Bachata to your Holiday playlists.
