Whether it’s quaint cozy family dinners or full on holiday parties, no Christmas is complete without music. While Mariah Carey’s “All I Want For Christmas Is You” or Wham!’s “Last Christmas” is a staple during this yuletide season, the choices for Christmas songs grow longer and longer with each passing year.
So, as we count down the days to the penultimate of this magical season, Billboard Philippines put together a list of songs perfect to ring in Christmas day. From heartfelt tracks from Filipino acts like juan karlos and Clara Benin to playful tunes from regional acts like TWICE and XG, here are 12 new holidays that you definitely have to listen to.
“Maligayang Pasko” – juan karlos
To ring in the holidays, juan karlos released his jolly rock offering “Maligayang Pasko”. Serving as his first Christmas single, the single talks about the warmth and love that comes from the yuletide season. In a post, the “ERE” star writes, “This is my first Christmas song that I made, and I’m so proud of this.”
“Christmas Hideaway” – moon tang
Coming together to spread Christmas joy, Hong Kong-based acts Kiri T and moon tang joined forces to create their holiday compilation EP, not so xmas xmas. In the six-track record is moon tang’s melodic and comforting “Christmas Hideaway’, which revolves around holiday romance. It’s the perfect track to put on as you spend this special season with the people you hold near and dear to your heart.
“SMP (Samahan Ng Malalamig Ang Pasko)” – dwta
Christmas is meant to be spent with the people you love. Wishing for warmth and comfort during these joyous days, dwta sings about yearning for a love that is as special as the holiday season against melodious motifs and glittering chimes.
“Dance Again” – TWICE
Merry TWICE-mas! The K-pop girl group are back with a new Japanese single to bring in the holiday cheer. Titled “Dance Again”, the release comes in conjunction with TWICE’s new FamilyMart commercial and also follows their previous Christmas single “Doughnut” in 2021.
“Just Another Christmas” – Suspiria Pink
Earlier this November, Suspiria Pink released their first holiday track “Just Another Christmas” and was later included as part of Offshore Music’s Christmas Compilation. The pop-punk track takes on another perspective to the holiday season as they look back on Christmas with ire because, hey, “it’s just another year”.
“WINTER WITHOUT YOU” – XG
Following their first mini-album, XG have returned with “WINTER WITHOUT YOU”, their first holiday release. Accompanied by a scenic music video, the single is a melancholy R&B tune about yearning for a past romance during this joyful season.
“Bawat Taon” – Arthur Miguel
Arthur Miguel’s “Bawat Taon” is a sincere love letter about continuously choosing that special someone again and again, year after year, no matter what may come your way. Released alongside a visualizer, the track speaks of a love so pure and unconditional.
“Christmas Song (Version II)” – ena mori
For this Christmas season, ena mori has released a new version of her 2021 holiday single “Christmas Song”. Dedicated to anyone who spends these hectically joyful season at home with their cats, this stripped back and cozier version also comes as part of Offshore Music’s Christmas Compilation.
“Snowy Road” – WONK, 9m88
Japanese experimental soul band WONK and Taiwanese R&B singer-songwriter 9m88 join forces for the holiday track “Snowy Road”. In what feels like a classic holiday tune, the single captures the ease and comfort of being home and surrounded by friends and family on Christmas day.
“can’t wait to see you on christmas day” – Clara Benin
If you don’t live close to family, nothing beats reuniting with the people you love for the yuletide season. In this holiday acoustic-folk offering, Clara Benin sings about the simple joys of seeing your loved ones for Christmas and how much more this time of the year means as you grow older.
“Better Than Snow” – Norah Jones, Laufey
What’s Christmas without some jazz? In a dream collaboration come true, Icelandic-Chinese singer-songwriter Laufey and jazz icon Norah Jones release a magical holiday tune titled “Better Than Snow” all about how the beauty of snow is nothing compare to spending time with your loved ones.