10 Festive New Songs To Add To Your Holiday Playlist Now
Still not in the holiday spirit? Get ready for a week of gift-giving, party-hopping, and sugar cookie-making with a playlist of brand new tunes. Though they're certainly fun and festive, these aren't your choir teacher's Christmas carols.
So turn your speakers up and press play on our mix of original songs from need-to-know bands like Dragonette and Family of the Year, plus cool covers from favorites like The Head and the Heart, Sufjan Stevens, and The Shins.
Jingle Bell Rock, indeed!
1/11"Merry Xmas (Says Your Text Message)" by Dragonette
Electro trio Dragonette is an unlikely band to record a holiday song, but "Merry Xmas (Says Your Text Message)" is an unlikely Christmas jam that's fit for festive dance parties. (Whether you're with friends or solo, this song will make you bust a few moves.)
2/11Spread some yuletide cheer with these soirée-approved hits.
3/11"What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?" by The Head and the Heart
Known for their vocal harmonies and piano solos, this popular indie-folk ensemble puts their own spin on the oldie-but-goodie that's been covered by everyone from Ella Fitzgerald to Zooey Deschanel.
4/11"OMG It's Christmas" by Family of the Year
This indie-pop quartet, who has toured alongside Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros in the past, maintains their sunny California vibe with this song that's made for spending the holiday in the sun (or just day-dreaming about it).
5/11"It's Christmas But It's Not White Here In Our Town" by Kishi Bashi
Turns out Kishi Bashi's violin-heavy psychedelic pop sound is surprisingly well-suited for holiday music, and this first effort is sure to become a Christmas classic.
6/11"Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" by <a herf="http://teenvogue.com/about/christina-perri">Christina Perri</a>
The singer-songwriter, best known for penning the theme song of Twilight, does a number on the heartbreaking "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," first sung in the film Meet Me in St. Louis by Judy Garland.
7/11"This Is Christmas" by The Eastern Sea
In the last six months, this Austin folk band released an album and toured the country to promote it; how they found the time to record a full-length Christmas disc—and an excellent one, at that—must be a holiday miracle.
8/11"Last Christmas" by The xx
Leave it to The xx, a band famous for their synth-heavy, cool-kid music, to turn "Last Christmas" by '80s hair band Wham! into a totally rad song that you'll want to listen to long after the holidays are over.
9/11"Wonderful Christmastime" by The Shins
The Shins' take on the Paul McCartney original is a jangly, happy jam that could pass for a Beach Boys song—which means your parents will likely love it as much as you do.
10/11"Happy Xmas (War Is Over)" by <a href="http://teenvogue.com/about/glee">Glee</a>
As if Finn wasn’t already a dreamboat, the loveable athlete (played by the just-as-loveable Cory Monteith) takes on John Lennon’s beloved song with a rendition that’s sure to make you swoon.
11/11"Lumberjack Christmas/No One Can Save You From Christmases Past" by Sufjan Stevens
Silver & Gold: Songs for Christmas, Vols. 6-10 is a five-disc follow-up to his last holiday album. Because there are more than 50 songs, it's impossible to pick a favorite, but you can't go wrong with this twangy single.
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