Happy holidays from BUST! Our gift to you: a brief round-up of the best new Christmas albums, and a playlist full of wintery anthems both new and old (but mostly new). No matter what kind of holiday season you're having, we've got you covered.
Various Artists – 13 Days of Xmas
This year, indie-country label Bloodshot Records gave us the gift of this glorious compilation filled with all kinds of jangly, jazzy, and folky goodness. A highlight is “I Slept Through Christmas,” a wistful but upbeat tune by Australian singer-songwriter Ruby Boots, and “Papa Barrence’s Christmas” by Barrence Whitfield & The Savages.
Dude York – Halftime for the Holidays
This Seattle-based trio, currently on tour with Alex Lahey, has an album for anyone heartbroken, angsty, or just fed up this holiday season. With lyrics like “Gonna have to see him again / We still have all the same friends / If I don’t go out then that’s letting him win” and “It’s been hard out here on my own / Sometimes I feel so alone / I wish I could go back home but I can still hear you over the phone,” Halftime for the Holidays captures the feelings that aren’t necessarily all warm and fuzzy about Christmastime.
Fantasia – Christmas After Midnight
Sexy and classy at once, Fantasia’s first-ever Christmas album is soulful and timeless, a dedication to her grandmother who was born on Christmas Day, according to Rap-Up.com. The record is comprised of twelve covers, including “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” “Silent Night,” and “Baby, It’s Cold Outside,” a duet with musician Cee-Lo Green.
Various Artists – Indie for the Holidays
Amazon Music has pulled together an incredible collection for the music fiend looking to get in the holiday spirit. Indie for the Holidays features 60 tracks by artists ranging from Best Coast to Dean and Britta, to Albert Hammond Jr. A standout is Savoir Adore's dreamy, futuristic take on "Baby, It's Cold Outside."
Various Artists – Holidays Rule (Vol. Two)
In 2012, Capitol Records gave us Holidays Rule, a selection of cheery wintertime pop from musical acts including The Shins, fun., and Rufus Wainwright. This year’s sequel is—in my opinion — even better, thanks to MUNA, Kandace Springs, and Lake Street Dive. If you’re into electro-pop, you’ll adore U.S. Girls’ rendition of “Blue Christmas”; if that’s not your thing, you’ll probably still love the track by Flor de Toloache, an all-female mariachi band (!!!).
Top photo via NBC / The Office
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Lydia Wang is a writer, a Pisces, and one of BUST's digital editors. Find her on Twitter or say hi: lydiaw@bust.com.
