For this visit to the Singles Bar, we bring you a very special selection of tracks. As we get ready to wave goodbye to another year, these singles represent the very best of 2024’s alternative Xmas wares. We’ve got some great pop from an unfamiliar name, a brilliant pop-rock tune from Scotland, a massive old school country banger, a superb reworking of a genuine festive classic and more besides. Merry Christmas, everyone. (Normal service will resume at the SB next week!)

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By making a very retro sounding electric piano its main feature, ‘This Christmas Morning’ by Ellie Walker & The Folly immediately sounds like buried treasure from the past. The introduction of a really uptempo rhythm also reinforces a track with an old soul. There’s something here that sounds as if it were influenced by Harry Nilsson on one of his greatest pop trips which, naturally, gives the chosen melody a classic quality. Ellie’s high vocal tones bring more of a contemporary feel, but the track never loses sight of its pure pop intent. Lyrics concerning The Elf On The Shelf taking his first steps, snow fall and the warmth of the fire reinforce the festive vibes, but not as much as a couple of the featured musical elements. You’ll find some tinkling melodies, feel-good brass fills and, best of all, a melodic hook on the chorus that evokes the sound of pealing bells. In terms of “non traditional” festive fare that can be enjoyed from first listen, this scores pretty highly.

‘I Wish The World Would Sing’ by Scottish band Emerald Sunday is an immediate Xmas classic. From the opening bars, loaded with piano and emotive vocals, it conjures the feel of an old 90s hit. As the melody builds and the vocal grows, it wouldn’t be a great leap to imagine something similar from Robbie Williams at his peak. The blend of strong melodies and subtle wintry embellishments is superb, and when the quickly familiar melody subsides to reveal an extra layer of acoustic guitar, the track uses its timeless sound to really pull at the heartstrings. Simply put, for those looking for something beyond the well worn ‘Jingle Bells’, ‘Winter Wonderland’ et al, this is a great slab of alternative festiveness.

A number that’s absolutely loaded with jangle, ‘It’s Christmas Time’ by Amber & The Embers opens with an indie folk stance, signifying a feel good attitude. Opening out into a solid melodic rock affair, the busy elements are joined by a simple rock riff to create a layered sound that really works. Musically, this sets something almost timeless in place, and with a dirty lead guitar fleshing out the chorus, it gives the feeling of a band capable of sharing a very broad sound. The real selling point here, though, is the lead vocal. Throughout the song, Amber’s huge performance shares both a very natural sound and a huge confidence, which really benefits from the track’s clear but unfussy production values. This has the makings of a modern Xmas hit that could be taken to heart by melodic rock fans everywhere.

With a bluesy riff, loud drum and country rock lead guitars, there’s little about Owen Smith’s festive single that whips up a traditional Xmas mood. He leaves any of the necessary scene setting to his chosen lyric. Like a distant cousin to Chris Rea’s ‘Driving Home For Christmas’, the protagonist shares his thoughts of how he longs to be back somewhere familiar and safe. Owen’s wish of being ‘Back In The Snowies’ centres around a roaring fire, a loved one, and a desire to be out of the oncoming storm. It paints a great lyrical picture for the listener, while the music, shifting between a mid tempo groove and a choppier middle section, suggests the feeling of travel and movement at a very busy time. It mightn’t appeal to those who prefer their Xmas hits to work within more familiar confines, but there’s a huge hook here and a strong vocal, both of which help this to be a tune that more than works on its own terms.

It’s been well documented that goth metal band Disconnected Souls love Christmas. They’ve made it a tradition to record something festive each year, and their offering for ’24 is a winner. Over six minutes, ‘Endless Winter’ unveils a dark epic which opens with piano riffs worthy of Type O Negative, before moving through a world of crooned vocals joined by trip hop-ish beats, then hitting the listener with a slow and heavy riff that’s drawn from a classic, doomy source. Ensuring there’s always a strong melody, the clean vocals (courtesy of Holly Royle) steer the number towards the gently theatrical, sounding especially effective when augmented by Felix Luca King’s deep croon. Everything here is great – easily one of the finest DC recordings to date. Best of all, though, this is a December release that can be enjoyed all year round.

At the end of 2023, King of Cups were on hand to remind us there was “no war on Christmas”. This year, the US pop punkers deliver a message of less than good cheer. ‘Merry Christmas, Don’t Get Me Anything’ deals with having to buy things for people you don’t really like, and how the time of year means you “have to pretend to like everyone.” Despite the Grinch-like stance, musically, the track comes with the usual jubilant melodies. The bulk of the number works a classic melodic pop punk sound, big on buoyant riffs and harmonic vocals with traces of Sum 41 and New Found Glory informing the sound. At the point you might think it’s all over, the band introduces a massive hardcore breakdown and shouty vocal to reinforce their overall disdain. In terms of “alternative Xmas fare”, this is a real treat.

By absolutely loading the intro with sleigh bells, country band The Roamers ensure the Xmas qualities of ‘Broke For Christmas’ can’t be ignored. Even once the bells subside, their festive single delivers highly when it comes to a Yuletide message. It isn’t one of good cheer, however: in old school country tradition, there’s a downbeat mood, with the protagonist bemoaning a lack of cash means he can’t buy presents, and how “when the taxman comes calling” he’ll “send him to Santa’s house”. In addition “nobody wants to pay” him for playing guitar and “there’s a fire sale at the bank”. To counter such a grim scenario, the band goes all out in terms of their musical ability, with a trad country croon joined by a superb rootsy twang and the kind of melody delivered by hat acts of the 70s. If you’re looking for an alternative to those standard Xmas songs, this’ll more than fit the bill and if you already love The Roamers, this is guaranteed to be a festive favourite.

To close 2024, The Dollyrots have compiled their various Yuletide recordings from across the years on the rather fun ‘A Very Dollyrots Christmas’. They’ve also delivered something new via an excellent cover of Wizzard’s perennial classic ‘I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday’. A tune familiar to pretty much everyone – only eclipsed by Slade’s ‘Merry Xmas Everybody’ in the battle of 70s classics – the pop punk duo have given things a new twist. The old glam stance has gone, and in its place, an opening riff ripped from a Ramones ’77 vintage. The verse adds more of a traditional Dollyrots pop punk edge, whilst Kelly’s bright vocal adds even more of a sparkle. With the chorus loaded with harmonic guitar sounds and an instrumental break shifting further into a traditional festival melody, this has all the bases covered…and then some.

December 2024