Each year during the festive season, we end up listening to the same songs we have since we were little angels who still believed in Santa. However, thanks to the likes of the Radio 1 live lounge and the wonder that is Youtube, over the past few years, respectable and talented bands and soloist have turned some of our favourite Christmas guilty pleasures in to decent music. So put down that Michael Buble album, get the mulled wine brewing (does it brew?) and let your ears enjoy these from my alternative Christmas song book.
These boys have had an amazing 2013 with the great success of their debut album and a strong festival season, gracing the stage at Reading festival to a bursting to the seams tent. Their Christmas mash up, performed at Fearne Cotton's Christmas party on Radio 1 is perfect. Have a listen here.
Chvke's cover of East 17's 'Stay Another Day' has been the highlight of my Christmas listening this year. The Scottish trio formed in 2011 and came 5th in the BBC's Sound of 2013. This year has seen them tour all around the world and play at some major festivals this summer, including T in the Park, Pukkelpop, and Reading. Listen to their amazing cover here
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It makes my heart happy that Jake Bugg is now a well known name in the British music scene. At the tender age of 19, he has spent 2013 recording and releasing his second album, Shangri La. He also won a Q Award this year for Best New Act and was nominated for the Best Album at the Mecury Music Award. Covering one of his heros, John Lennon's classic Christmas anthem, Happy Xmas (War is Over), Jake proved to everyone that 2014 is going to be a good-un for him. Listen to it here.
Peace are rapidly making waves in the British indie rock scene and have received critical acclaim from the likes of NME and The Guardian. They released their debut studio album, In Love, this March and performed on the NME Awards tour back in February. Their cover of Mariah Carey's Christmas classic is simply majestic and definitely worth a listen or two. Listen here.
The XX achieved major success with their debut album, xx way back in 2009 and the band went on to play at the likes of Coachella the following summer. 2013 saw the band nominated for a Best British Group award at the Brits and a contribution to the Great Gatsby soundtrack. Their cover of Wham's Last Christmas is really beautiful and you can listen to it here.
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