Winter is coming. Not White Walkers, but something much more terrifying. Holiday music. The only thing worse than your drunk uncle talking politics at the dinner table is Celine Dion or Mariah Carey blowing up your ear hole.
Also: Holiday Gift Guide | Gifts for Music Lovers of All Genres
That is exactly why I’ve chosen not one single holiday-themed song for Crave’s Winter Playlist. I’m not being a Grinch, its just that if you really want Christmas cheer you can find it everywhere during this most wonderful time of the year.
Instead, I offer you a much-deserved break from Bing, Nat, and those damn Chipmunks with some new tunes that will help you ring in 2018. Happy holidays!
Rhye – “Count to Five”
Rhye frontman Mike Milosh just announced details of his downtempo, neo-soul band’s second album, Blood (out February 2 via Loma Vista), which immediately makes it one of the most anticipated releases of 2018. You can just add the intoxicating “Count to Five” to your “bedroom music playlist” right now.
Overjoy – “Women”
The LA-based trio might just have come up with the “Future is Female” movement’s theme song. Sexy and powerful beats draped behind a veil of alluring purrs, “Women” has everything that you want in an empowering dance-pop anthem. Check out my interview with Overjoy for their last EP release.
Lucy Dacus – “Night Shift”
Dacus’ brand of disarmingly catchy garage-rock tinged with a pinch of alt-country twang caught the ear of music fans and critics alike on her breakout debut album, No Burden. Thankfully, the Richmond, VA singer/songwriter is back with the first single, “Night Shift” off her upcoming album Historian out March 2nd on Matador Records (pre-order it HERE) and check out my interview with Dacus at 2016’s Austin City Limits.
Arin Ray – We Ain’t Homies
The former X-Factor contestant comes from an A-list pedigree — Ray’s pops played drums for New Edition and Bell Biv DeVoe, while he’s written songs for the likes of Chris Brown, Rick Ross, and Jason Derulo. Now, the multi-hyphenate R&B and hip hop threat is ready for his close-up, armed with a classically trained voice and pillow talk raps that have an old school feel, yet modern bounce.
Jesse Jo Stark “Deadly Doll”
You may not have heard of Jesse Jo Stark, but you have probably Insta-stalked the photogenic singer and songwriter who is BFF’s with super models and whose parents own rock chic jewelry line Chrome Hearts. Stark is worthy of a “follow” herself with a batch of outlaw country/folk songs that sound like they were conjured up by witchcraft and vape juice in the deeps of Laurel Canyon.
Le Youth feat. MNDR – “I Could Always”
The latest turnt up BPM track from LA-based Nü Disco producer Le Youth features GRAMMY-winning MNDR, who team up for a feel good sing-along song for you to bump at the holiday party after the human resource department goes home.
