Festive roundup…
As Christmas approaches, an opportunity to sift through some of the submissions that are in-step with the holiday season.
The interesting aspect of these songs is the different style and approach that each act takes on. In some cases, there’s a real sense of wit and in others, a dedicated effort to deliver a serious song that just happens to have a festive quality to it. Either way, there’s some fine moments here that can’t fail to brighten up the Synth Santa in your house…
THE RUDE AWAKENING – Santa Baby
It’s already been a busy year for The Rude Awakening, with the release of a single and a covers EP. Here, the Rudies offer up a witty cover of Christmas classic ‘Santa Baby’, albeit with a synth-orientated theme – and one or two cheeky lyrical additions (“Santa honey, there’s a little thing that I need/Can’t wait/To run my fingers over a Cobalt-8”).
Meanwhile, the minimalist electronic accompaniment has a suitably cheesy vibe to it. TEC suspects that Johnny and Bridget recorded this while decked out in matching Christmas jumpers…
https://therudeawakening.bandcamp.com/
NATURE OF WIRES + MACHINA X – 2000 Miles
This amazing collaboration between Nature of Wires and Machina X is guaranteed to blow the snow off your tree this year. A cover of the Chrissie Hynde classic, the rock trappings of the original are given a fresh, electronic sheen here.
Annie from Machina X delivers the vocals with a clear, ethereal beauty allowing lines such as “Gets colder day by day/I miss you” to land with a gobsmacking emotional power. NoW’s standard heavyweight synth approach is given a softer aspect here, but there’s still something epic about the arrangement and delivery.
https://natureofwires.bandcamp.com/track/2000-miles
https://linktr.ee/machinaXmusic
ERIC C. POWELL + ANDREA POWELL – Winter Song
It wouldn’t be Christmas without a tune from electronic pop pair Eric C. Powell and Andrea Powell. ‘Winter Song’ forms the basis for their 2021 effort, which has a moody, melancholic quality to it.
A composition enhanced by bell-like tones to ramp up that festive feel. “It’s a story about how winter storms can hide bury life and love” suggests Eric, explaining the song’s evolution, “But love is alive deep under the snow to be revealed again.” It’s a nice sentiment and this heartfelt, downbeat pop moment will give you some winter warmth.
https://ericcpowellmusic.bandcamp.com/album/winter-song-single
