Halloween is over, which it’s officially time for Christmas music! From the milestone anniversary of Mariah Carey’s seminal Merry Christmas and a solo version of «White Christmas» from Michael Bublé to new yuletide singles by Conor Matthews and Lucy Dacus, check out Billboard‘s latest round-up of new holiday releases below.
Mariah Carey, Merry Christmas (Deluxe Anniversary Edition)
After weeks of saying «not yet,» Mariah Carey is re-releasing Merry Christmas to commemorate the album’s 25th anniversary. The updated two-disc edition features Mimi’s brand-new take on The Nutcracker‘s «Sugar Plum Fairy» as well as live versions of «All I Want For Christmas Is You,» «Silent Night,» «Joy to the World» and more recorded at The Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City.
Michael Bublé, «White Christmas»
As Mimi’s male counterpart when it comes to Christmas cheer, it’s only fitting that Michael Bublè ring in the holiday season with new music. The star’s latest rendition of «White Christmas» — this time sans duet partner Shania Twain — transforms the holiday standard into a jazzy number peppered with horns, handclaps and Bublé’s signature buttery vocals.
The animated video for the single takes a cue from the classic Rankin and Bass Christmas specials of the 1960s and ’70s like Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Frosty the Snowman and The Year Without a Santa Claus.
Katy Perry, «Cozy Little Christmas»
Released in 2018 as an Amazon Music exclusive, Katy Perry’s «Cozy Little Christmas» is finally available on all streaming platforms. Co-written by the pop star, the whimsical track was reportedly inspired by a Christmas she spent in Copenhagen, Denmark with her family and is punctuated by jingle bells and heartwarming lyrics about choosing love over the materialism of pricey gifts for Christmas…well, except for that one Chanel.
Conor Matthews, «Snowed In»
Pop newcomer Conor Matthews makes his mark on the holiday season with original song «Snowed In.» On the swoonworthy, midtempo number, the mentee of late producer Busbee romances a love interest by vowing to slow down and soak in the Christmas season. «I just wanna be snowed in with you/ This Christmas, this Christmas/ Sittin’ by the fire just me and you/ This Christmas, this Christmas/ If I gotchu here with me, then let it snow/ You got nowhere to go/ I just wanna be snowed in with you/ This Christmas, this Christmas,» he croons on the track’s starry-eyed chorus.
Lucy Dacus, «Last Christmas»
Wham’s «Last Christmas» may be familiar territory when it comes to Christmas covers, but indie star Lucy Dacus reinvents the 1984 classic as a rollicking indie rock anthem — half-speaking/half-singing the song’s kiss-off lyrics through a megaphone before giving way to a sonic tidal wave of churning electric guitar, pounding drums and wild yelps in the track’s closing moments. The high-octane single is set to be featured on Dacus’ forthcoming holiday-themed EP 2019, which will also include New Year’s Eve ode «Fool’s Gold.»
This article was originally published by: Billboard
