Merry + Bright: An Uncommon Holiday Playlist

This time of year, we all cue up our favorite holiday playlists to get us in the mood for the season. Perhaps some Vince Guaraldi, definitely some Mariah Carrey, and of course a steady diet of those tried and true Christmas classics from Elvis, Ella and José Feliciano. As a gift to you, we put together a mix of new holiday songs—some covers, some originals—that we hope will find their way into your regular rotation.

Of course we’ve highlighted tunes from some of our favorite California artists like FINNEAS, Hope Waidley and The Marías, but we’re also spreading holiday cheer around the globe. Chilly Gonzales and oft collaborator Feist come through with a beautiful original, “Banister Bough,” off his recently release A Very Chilly Christmas, while Arizona’s Calexico and Nick Urata deliver a stirring rendition of Tom Petty’s “Christmas All Over Again.” Liverpool four-piece Circa Waves even went into the studio to record a special new track, “Miss Christmas,” that pays homage to the weird year that was 2020. 

“As no one’s been able to hug their family for half a year we wanted to give you this song,” says frontman Kieran Shuddall. “A warm Christmassy cuddle to tide you over till COVID gets chinned out its shoes in 2021. We wanted to make a Christmas song that felt timeless and could sit between Mariah Carey and Paul McCartney on the nation’s Christmas Day.”

To check out the full selection of songs, head over to our Golden State Spotify and cue up our Merry + Bright playlist. Then pour a cup of cheer, kick your feet up and enjoy the music!