It’s not officially winter yet, but the holidays are here. It’s as good a time as any for a shot of yuletide cheer. As you’re whizzing through the last weeks of class and finals on a caffeine high, take a little time to revel in the moment. Holiday spirit can last you all the year, if you stretch it far enough. And then there’s the holiday fruitcake—so indestructible, it just may outlast all of civilization.
Christmas Waltz
By She and Him
Zoey Deschanel has become a common sight around the holidays ever since her feature role in the now beloved Christmas film “Elf.” Funnily enough, her indie rock band also plays a quaint little melody about seasonal feelings. Will Ferrell isn’t in it, but otherwise it’s pretty good.
White Winter Hymnal
By Fleet Foxes
This delightful round of snowy sounds is from the Foxes’ self-titled first album. Every member of the band sports a lustrous beard, which not only looks great, but acts as a surefire human heater in colder weather.
Winter Trees
By The Staves
A trio of British sisters with a soft acoustic style laced with harmony. They recently toured as an opening act for Bon Iver. There’s nothing like a skyline of snow-tipped pines, and they relate that winter euphoria well. There’s also nothing like the time-honored heathen tradition of chopping down a handsome evergreen and bedecking it with festive odds and ends.
Long Haired Child
By Devendra Bandhart
This decidedly strange song from DB relates how his children will have long hair, forever avoiding the horrors of having a cold, bald head in a winter blizzard.
Winter Winds
By Mumford and Sons
The winter air brings pangs of sorrowful memories of time lost and years past for some. This uplifting ditty from Mumford and Sons addresses such woes, and will leave the downtrodden feeling fit as little lions. Man.
Frosty the Snowman
By August Burns Red
There’s nothing like a touching verse of Frosty the Snowman, reinforced with aggressive metal distortion and a hardcore breakdown. Hope this doesn’t melt your snowman!
Sleigh Ride
By fun.
This playful take on the Christmas favorite shows off Nate Ruess’ Queen-esque vocals. His fashion and flamboyance aren’t quite up to par yet, but he’ll get there one day.
Winter Wonderland
By Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan’s throaty old howls on this Christmas album are strangely comforting, though they do make you wonder if he got a bag of coal for Christmas one year—and then ate it. Perhaps more than one bag.
