A Long Winter's Nap, various artists (Mistletunes, 2025)

Welcome back to yet another edition of the official Mistletunes holiday mix for 2025. Apologies for this year's cover art; it was either this or something to do with "Kpop Demon Hunters," which I haven't watched and therefore couldn't come up with anything. As far as I know the current mix doesn't have anything to do with AI, about which we've had quite enough to say if you read the site or listened to last year's mix. Maybe when whatever's left of the VH1 channel gets around to "I Love the '20s," we'll all have a good laugh about the AI scare, assuming that said program isn't put together by a large language model itself. OK, enough bummer stuff, put on your dancing shoes and press play.

"Where Are You Christmas?," The Pretty Reckless -- The band's lead singer Taylor Momsen was Cindy Lou Who in the 2000 version of "The Grinch," and here she is stomping through a rocked-up version of the song she once sang as a child. A suitable opener, I think. 

"Cha Cha Heels For Christmas," The Exotic Ones -- I barely remember when cha cha heels were a thing, and I'm old; nevertheless, this should bring a smile to everyone's faces.

"Tchotchkes," The Lemon Twigs & Tchotchke -- The Twigs are not particularly famous, but those who have heard them regard them as a successor act to the Pet Sounds-era Beach Boys, and this little number will give you some insight into that assertion.

"Ring-a-Ding-Ding," the Bacarrudas -- This Philly act brings a bit of the border sound to this otherwise power-popish rocker, mainly by leaning into that cheap organ sound. Love it.

"Peace on Earth," DeRobert & the Half Truths -- I'm always up for some old-school soul music and these guys bring it for the holidays.

"This Christmas I'm Coming Home," Leon Bridges and Nora Jones -- Two cool vocalists give us a fine funky duet for the holiday. This is Leon's first tinsel track, but Nora's on record with quite a lot of holiday music under several band names.

"Santa Bring My Baby Back To Me," Susie Blue and the Lonesome Fellas -- The Elvis Presley classic Christmas song gets a new life when these folks do it to a conga beat.

"I'm Not Getting Anything for Christmas," The Other Girls -- This ensemble puts the garage-rock sound to a familiar complaint among all the bad boys and girls.

"Girl on Candy Cane Lane," the Hollyberries -- If you ever wondered what a 60s girl group would sound like if they were backed by Cheap Trick, wonder no more.

"Underneath the Table (A Christmas Song)," Ginge -- This Dutch singer-songwriter takes a mellower, more introspective view of the holiday.

"Always Christmas Eve," Bella Brown & the Jealous Lovers -- More soul music, this time from a Chicago band now doing business in Los Angeles. A solid ballad calling for peace, love and understanding.

"Rudolph a Rasta," Ras Dave -- For those of you who prefer sunshine and rum on the holidays, a reggae take on a reimagined Rudolph.

"Rudolph's Revenge," Allergies -- This London-based duo, on the other hand, think Rudolph's got a beef, and they may be right.

"Reindeer Game," Merkel and the Merkelettes --This Philadelphia comedy troupe parody the huge Chris Isaak hit to give us yet another take on the reindeer's holiday life. 

"HanuKpop Demon Hunters," the Maccabeats -- Giving a nod to the Jewish winter festival, these guys somehow manage to drag the hit Netflix series into the story.

"Oh No It's Christmas, Chase the Horseman -- I don't think the singer is quite as thunderstruck about the advancing calendar as he lets on.

"Merry Christmas Mary," George Nipson -- Cute pun and ukulele put the finishing touches on a lilting, almost tropical holiday song.

"Behind Every Santa, There's a Mrs. Claus," Rude Girl Revue -- Gentle old-school ska take on an obvious, if little-noted, truth about the holidays.

"(It's Our) Last Xmas," L.O.T.I.O.N. Multinational Corporation -- What sounds like a synth-pop ode to lost love slowly morphs into an ode to a lost existence. Listen closely.

"Maria Believes in Christmas Again," the Krayolas -- Cool Tex-Mex band drops this pop-rocker about giving into the holiday spirit.

"Christmastime in Outer Space," Silver Biplanes -- Lo-fi rocker with lots of cheap organ and synths used to give a spacey sound, 60s style, to this fine tune.

"Christmastime is Everywhere Tonight," Make Like Monkeys -- I like this tune because it reminds me of something that could have been an outtake from the Beatles' Revolver.

"When the Christmas Tree Is All Aglow," Vista Blue -- Chugging rocker about reading the Christmas cues and deciding it's time to beat feet and get outta town.

"Sick and Tired of Christmas," The Midway -- Harder rock, following on from the previous song to draw a logical conclusion.

"Santa Claus Is Coming To Town," Lady Gaga -- After years of American songbook-style vocalizing, she's back to her rock roots with this take on the popular carol. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays once more.