Pickwick and “The Round” arrive sounding like the best thing on the block: sly, dusty, and weirdly urgent. If you want a track that feels brand-new but already battle-tested, start here.
Pete Christianson
My favorite Holiday songs from the past year.
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Ray Brown Trio turns We Wish You a Merry Christmas into a pocket-sized holiday spark, and the timing could not be better. The tune lands with enough charm to feel instantly familiar, but the swing keeps it fresh, like a last-minute gift that somehow looks planned.
Jake Shimabukuro and Yo-Yo Ma make Happy Xmas (War Is Over) feel freshly minted, like the season just walked in and found a seat. The hook lands fast: a familiar peace anthem turns into a warm, playable headline right now.
Ramsey Lewis Trio slips Christmas Blues into the season like a grin under a Santa hat. The track feels essential right now because it turns the familiar holiday mood into something cooler, swingier, and a little sly.
My Favorite Things - Yo-Yo Ma, Chris Botti, Romero Lubambo, Billy Kilson, Billy Childs, Robert Hurst
Yo-Yo Ma turns “My Favorite Things” into the kind of holiday-season earworm that feels instantly familiar and still surprising. The arrangement lands like a fresh release worth bragging about, with elegance to spare and enough swing to wake up the room.
Oscar Peterson turns “O Christmas Tree” into a sly, sparkling pick-me-up. Hearing it now feels like stumbling onto a holiday classic with fresh shoes and perfect timing.
Beegie Adair makes Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow feel brand new, like the first clean drift outside your window. Holiday playlists need a little polish, and this cut brings it without getting syrupy.
The Eddie Higgins Trio turns Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas into the one holiday cut that actually clears the room of noise. The piano arrives with easy confidence, and the tune feels freshly polished, not embalmed.
Rémi Ramaget Piano Trio turns The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting...) into the kind of instant seasonal essential that sneaks up on a room and owns it. The melody lands with just enough polish to feel brand-new, and the trio keeps the mood warm without getting syrupy.
Vince Guaraldi Trio turns “O Tannenbaum” into the kind of holiday staple that sneaks up and steals the room. The tune feels fresh enough to land like a new favorite, even if you know every corner of the season.
Beegie Adair turns “Frosty The Snowman” into a crisp little holiday detour that feels brand-new the moment it starts. In a season crowded with syrupy versions, this one lands with style and just enough swing to wake up the room.
The Eddie Higgins Trio turns “White Christmas” into the kind of find that makes the coffee go cold. The trio sounds too elegant to ignore and too warm to file away for later; cue it now and the season suddenly has better taste.
Ramsey Lewis Trio turns Here Comes Santa Claus into the kind of holiday cut that sounds brand-new the second it starts. The tune feels essential right now because it brings cheer without getting sticky-sweet.
Ray Brown Trio turns Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer into a sly, swinging holiday staple. Right now, it sounds less like a chestnut and more like a fresh cue for the season’s first real cold snap.
Ramsey Lewis Trio turns Winter Wonderland into the kind of holiday cut that sounds freshly delivered, not tucked away in a box of old favorites. The groove feels alive enough to crash any sleepy office party and save it.
The Eddie Higgins Trio turns “The Christmas Waltz” into the rare holiday track that feels instantly lived-in. The melody glides with enough sparkle to sound fresh, but it still lands like a standard you somehow forgot you already loved.
Ramsey Lewis Trio turns Merry Christmas Baby into the kind of surprise that makes a playlist feel smarter. The groove lands instantly, cool enough for the office and sly enough for the party.
Duke Ellington turns Jingle Bells into something sleeker, brighter, and a little mischievous. A holiday chestnut can sound brand-new when a bandleader this sharp gets hold of it.
Vince Guaraldi Trio and "Christmas Is Coming" arrive like the first cold snap that suddenly feels welcome. The tune slips in as the season’s smartest wink: jaunty, familiar, and just a little too cool to stay background music.
Oscar Peterson makes God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen sound fresh enough to lead the pack. The track lands like a brisk holiday headline: smart, elegant, and impossible to ignore.
My favorite Chillout songs from the past year.
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Metaform's "Crush" lands like a clean signal in a room full of static. The track feels newly vital today: sharp, cool, and impossible to ignore.
Richard Dorfmeister and “Definition” land like a clean signal on a cold night. The track feels newly essential, all restraint and confidence, with enough pulse to make the room tilt in a better direction.
