Unsubtle Magic, Ziemba (Sister Polygon)

Ziemba is the band name being used here by Texan René Kladzyk, and this new album isn't strictly Christmas, but the whole album's synth-pop-over-piano setting does have a sort of icy winter sheen to it. Indeed, the artist has said she took inspiration from Ze Records artist Cristina when she set her mind to covering "I'll Be Home For Christmas," although you shouldn't assume it sounds anything like Cristina; nevertheless, it's a unique arrangement, a little more uptempo than we're used to, and I like it a lot. Elsewhere on the album we have "Set In Ice," a cover of a 1974 song by Aurel Roy, who turns out to be René's father, who gave up his career to support his family. "Time Doesn't Freeze" references the snow and the holiday, the stop-action ballad "Only Lonely Christmas" has a bit of "Twin Peaks" about it, and"Fear" has an unsettling resemblance to John Lennon's "Watching the Wheels" via "Imagine." The rest of the songs' relationship to the holiday is something of a stretch, but there's plenty to enjoy whether you're looking for unique holiday takes or just something for your general listening pleasure. Get it at Bandcamp.