Sinusoidal Music’s curated suggestions to add to your Christmas playlist
‘Tis the season! With winter already set in, and Christmas lights completely decked up, this season definitely calls for cosy sweaters, and piping cups of hot chocolate with marshmallows dipped in them. And oh! the best part of course, THE UNWRAPPING of gifts! Now, I may not know much but if there’s anything I won’t hear anyone say the otherwise it is that SANTA DO BE REAL! Or well at least if you get gifts from your kith and kin during the festive fervour, they’re your Santa! Now, as you decide what gift you are going to get for your loved one, we think you should curate a very “in the feels” Christmas playlist for them. Oh, don’t worry about what songs to add to the playlist. Why don’t you go shopping and we’ll put together a playlist for you? And while we are at it, we will also tell you why these songs need to go up your musical armour!
‘Snowman’ by Sia:
It is Snowman, a smooth, mystical ballad for Sia, perfect to be heating up the coldest winter night. There is such delicate playfulness to its storytelling and heartfelt delivery that borders on feeling like the new modern holiday classic.
The whole work is based on a piano melody very simple yet elegantly well-crafted for Snowman. She sings vulnerably, bringing the metaphor of a snowman—a love that is fragile but very enduring—to life, over gentle instrumentation and an even more dynamic vocal range which creates an intimate atmosphere around listeners, as they find themselves wrapped up warm like in a hug.
And with the lyrically profound depth on offer, the story that would otherwise be whimsical shows through achingly profound. Good testimonial to love and to the good friendships, even if those only in the fleetingly. Whether it is around the holidays or not that doesn’t matter because, for all of humanity, there is Snowman.
Sia has made something precious long after the snow has retreated.
‘Christmas Lights’ by Coldplay:
A perfect holiday ballad: It is a heart-wrenching feeling of pain that the band Coldplay felt as they interpret in ‘Christmas Lights.’ From the richness of lyric content to vividly luscious instruments, it’s almost as if biting a song into giving a warm hug amidst momentary reflection.
Soft piano chords start from ‘Christmas Lights’ gradually blossoming into a dramatic arrangement that is marked with the power of strings as well as a heart-emotive voice of Chris Martin. The song full of emotions narrates tales of desire, hope, and comfort in the lights of Christmas.
The whole city lit up with festivals can tell its picture, depicting linking up amidst loneliness. It’s a holiday song rather than only a holiday song; it is instead the universal anthem of someone finding light in the darkness.
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‘Hallelujah’ by Pentatonix
Breathe-takingly re-reading into history that legendary Leonard Cohen’s work of art, Hallelujah, Pentatonix performs the very song the very rendition they are famous for acappella, infusing in it an otherworldly quality to make their voice sound almost like a fine tapestry of harmony and emotions intertwined.
The minimalist yet powerful enough arrangement lets each individual member’s voice strength come out. Whether it’s the haunting bass notes or the soaring high notes, each layer complements an experience of great sonic immersion with the transitions of verses aptly laid down, and building tension in only moments to release poignantly.
It is what makes this version, truly, raw emotion, as the group captures the very feel of the song’s spirituality and introspection themes through a performance that one can easily tell is very intimate yet somehow very universal. More than just a cover; it’s a tribute- to pay homage to its original and carve its very own niche in the history of music.
‘It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas’ by Michael Bublé:
Michael Bublé’s It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas is filled with everything-a timepiece in regards to holiday nostalgia, all dressed in those silken smooth velvety vocals coming into this. The moment it clicks through, it warms me up and the festivity is evoked at once, recalling snug nights next to the fireplace.
It is a very faithful arrangement to the song’s roots but still has the flavour of Bublé’s modernity. The lush orchestration, including sweeping strings and gentle brass, brings the atmosphere to an elegant, inviting level. Bublé’s smooth, effortless delivery captures the joy and anticipation of the holiday season; you just can’t help but smile as you listen.
This is an edition which brings elegance into the mix but with it, the mood is held very lightly. Any holiday playlist has got to feature this one. Be you trimming the tree or making those special memories with loved ones, then this one’s going to make it come together into the perspective of all things by this holiday.
‘Glow’ by Brett Eldredge
Brett Eldredge’s Glow is a jazzed-up holiday masterpiece that gives the festive season a pinch of old-school elegance; swing-infused rhythm coupled with Eldredge’s rich baritone voice sounds a bit like it was torn straight out of some of the golden-era Christmas movie.
In particular, with lush brass sections accompanying smooth strings fitting into Eldredge’s very crooning style, here goes the big band arrangement centre stage. Warm and filled with great amounts of charisma in his vocals, Eldredge evokes magic and romance throughout the holidays with every single note.
It is one of those things that never gets old. It pays its respects to the classic standards of the holiday season with a modern freshness that really is uniquely Brett. Sipping cocoa by the fireplace or throwing a holiday party, there is no better soundtrack to these twinkling, magical moments than this track.
Editor’s Pick: ‘Winter Coats’ by Better Than Ezra
Better Than Ezra is the byproduct of the 80’s alt-rock wave that took the USA by a storm. Active through early 90’s, this pop rock outfit from Baton Rouge, Louisiana dished out a few brilliant indie alternative albums in their career. One such hidden gem is ‘Winter Coats’ off their 1989 studio effort titled Surprise.’
The bittersweet rendition of an artist’s perplexed state of mind gives us an insight into the other side of the holidays; one that’s filled with loneliness and despair and a longing for the memory of a ‘home’. A dash of melancholia for your Christmas playlist, here is an indie gem that has survived the test of time.
Well, we got your playlist ready! Happy Listening and wish you a very merry Christmas!
