Do we start hearing Christmas music just a little too early every year? Yes, we do. And do we grow perhaps a bit weary of holiday songs by the time Christmas day rolls around? Perhaps. But in between those times—that’s where we are now—are a glorious few weeks in which we cast aside our fickle obsessions with all things “brat,” finally get over the end of the Eras, and in general turn away from the flavor of the moment in favor of timeworn songs of snow, Santa, and good cheer.
That’s the plan, at least. But let’s face it: Sometimes this soundtrack gets slightly repetitive, a bit wearisome. And while one person’s perennial vibe might be another’s audio kryptonite, it’s safe to say that we can all use a refresh on the season’s songs.
To be clear: The greatest Christmas song of all time remains David Bowie and Bing Crosby’s version of “The Little Drummer Boy,” and the best Christmas album will likely forever be A Christmas Gift for You From Phil Spector. And of course, one person’s new discovery will occasionally be another’s old favorite—but that said, here’s a handful of albums worth queuing up, followed by a custom playlist of more recent songs to deck your halls.
Our broad parameters: No gimmicks—while there’s a host of, uh, unexpected takes on Christmas out there, you’ll find no dubstep Christmas albums here, no reggae—and we’ve limited our selections in both albums and singles to mostly traditional tunes broadly suitable for the whole family. Enjoy!
Dean & Britta and Sonic Boom, A Peace of Us
Dean Wareham and Britta Phillips are the couple from the acclaimed indie band Luna (with Wareham also being central to the earlier, legendary Galaxie 500); Sonic Boom, meanwhile, founded the totemic Spacemen 3 with Jason Pierce (later to form Spiritualized). That housekeeping now finished, what they’ve made here is a shockingly gentle, wistful album of 14 holiday songs, from offbeat covers to original tunes—for the most part, played and sung straight, with the atmospherics enlivened by Sonic Boom’s minimal but moving effects.
The quirky but lovely duo of Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward—who bonded on the set of The Go-Getter over their shared love of Phil Spector’s production—have recorded not one but two Christmas albums. Both are wonderful, spare, and beautiful, though this one’s our favorite.
This indie-rock duo from Duluth, Minnesota, is renowned for the quiet intensity of its compositions, and this Christmas EP is no different. Cue this up for late nights sitting by the fire—or staring out the frosty window. Hauntingly beautiful—but, alas, not your party soundtrack.
Cut in New Orleans just a couple years before his untimely death, Chet Baker’s collection of Christmas songs (with a few gospel songs added to the mix for variety) is another spare, evocative, meditative soundtrack—aside from Baker on trumpet, the songs feature only a saxophone and some drums.
