‘Tis the season to kick out the jams! With December right around the corner, here’s your sign to joyously embrace the most wonderful time of the year. Biff Bam Pop’s new music roundup takes on a festive flair in this extra special holiday edition of What’s Going On. Unwrap the gift of hot new tunes as we take a sleigh ride through a winter wonderland of fresh releases that will harmonize with the jingle of bells and warm your soul like a cup of cocoa by the fire. You know the vibes! From young rising stars to established chart-topping acts, everyone has started rolling out their songs for the holiday season and we’ve picked out the best and brightest. So deck the halls, pump up the volume, and let the holiday melodies get you into the groove.
Valley – Beloved Canadian alternative-pop superstars Valley just released what’s sure to be your new favorite holiday anthem. The crew consisting of Rob Laska, Mickey Brandolino, Alex Dimauro, and Karah James are ending their 2023 with an inventive cover of Coldplay’s “christmas lights.” Keeping the evocative vibe of the Coldplay original, Valley have come out and put their own special style to it. What’s the significance of this modern Colday holiday standard? Valley’s lead vocalist Rob Laska says: “I remember walking home from high school every December and listening to the original version of this song on repeat. I have a lot of beautiful memories playing it at home during the holidays on a piano my parents shipped from my grandparents’ house back in Poland. It’s a nostalgic and powerful song for me and it’s always felt like the perfect sonic depiction of what the holidays feel like for us.”
Photo Credit: Becca Hamel
Listen to Valley’s cover of “christmas lights” below.
Sofia Camara – Canadian pop sensation Sofia Camara is quickly carving out her place as one of the nation’s top rising stars to watch. Isn’t that exciting? After a stellar year of pop radio releases like “Different” and “Something Better,” the Toronto-based singer is getting into the holiday spirit with “Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!” Just in time for the weather beginning to plunge, Sofia Camara’s jam is sure to bring on good vibes along with the snow. While you’re enjoying “Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!,” just know Sofia is hard at work at material that’s sure to knock your socks off in 2024.
Listen to Sofia Camara’s take on “Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!” below.
Brandy – R&B icon Brandy has released her first holiday album Christmas with Brandy, out now via Motown Records/Universal Music Canada. Of course, you can count on covers of holiday standards like “Jingle Bells” and “Deck the Halls,” but perhaps even more exciting are the original songs. “Christmas Party for Two” stands out with its soulful, nice, and ever-so-naughty groove. If you need something romantic to soundtrack your nestling by the fire, Brandy has got you covered. You can get even more festive fun from Brandy via her Netflix original film Best. Christmas. Ever! which sees her starring alongside Heather Graham and Jason Biggs.
Listen to Brandy’s “Christmas Party for Two” below.
Bon Jovi – Rock gods Bon Jovi recently dropped their new holiday song “Christmas Isn’t Christmas” via Island Records. This definitely isn’t the first time the Rock & Roll Hall of Famers have thrown their hat into the Christmas music ring but this just might be their strongest effort to date. Speaking on the meaning of the song, frontman Jon Bon Jovi says: “Christmas Isn’t Christmas is a song that I wrote about family. The sentiment that Christmas really isn’t Christmas without YOU which can bring up a lot of memories for people. I also liked to turn it around and know that because of you Christmas IS Christmas.”
Listen to Bon Jovi’s “Christmas Isn’t Christmas” below.
Logan Mize – Paul McCartney’s holiday classic “Wonderful Christmastime” may be polarizing, but there’s no denying the greatness of the new Logan Mize cover. With production from Daniel Agee (Jessie James Decker, HBO’s Big Little Lies), country-rocker Logan Mize transformed the totally ‘80s festive jam into something more organic and grounded. Speaking on his new cover, Logan Mize states: “I’ve always loved this Paul McCartney Christmas song and wanted to give it a shot. I couldn’t figure out how to make the bridge part sound natural, so I ended up having my kids and their friends come into my studio and sing the children’s choir part. For me, it made the whole song. I think it’s probably my favorite cover on the project.”
Listen to Logan Mize’s cover of “Wonderful Christmastime” below.
