A Very Skinny Christmas Playlist

We've pulled together some of the best original Christmas songs to come out of Scotland and beyond this year and have put them all on one handy page for you. You're welcome.

Feature by Tallah Brash | 16 Dec 2020
  • Christmas

Digitalanalogue – Home Alone
Ian Turnbull, who you may know as a member of Edinburgh’s Broken Records, also has a solo project under the moniker Digitalanalogue. This festive season he’s been inspired by the Chris Columbus classic Home Alone to create two covers of carols as featured in the film, and two original tracks inspired by it, and it's a real thing of beauty. digitalanalogue1.bandcamp.com

Michael M – A Digital Christmas Gift For You
We’ve talked about Michael M of Slime City’s Christmas record before – here in our December releases round-up if you missed it – but we’ll say it again: this is stupid levels of fun and a must for anyone stuggling to crack a smile or get in the spirit this festive season. michaelmisdisappointing.bandcamp.com

Carla J. Easton – A Very Weird Christmas
Glasgow’s Carla J. Easton continues her weirdo antics well into December with the release of a festive three-track EP, A Very Weird Christmas. If it’s retro-tinged bops you’re looking for this Christmas, and by this point you’ve already listened to Mariah 500 times, then Carla is the gal for you. Oh, and two of the tracks feature Eugene Kelly from The Vaselines. Bonus. carlajeaston.bandcamp.com

Callum Easter – Christmas Time (Let’s Have a Good Time) feat. Ella-Betty
Callum Easter is getting into the spirit this year; he’s got his jingle bells out and he’s managed to rope his daughter Ella-Betty into doing backing vocals which is, well, just delightful. To say we’re feeling all warm and fuzzy inside would be a massive understatement. As well as the single, he’s selling screen-printed T-shirts, tote bags and Christmas cards, with a third of all profits being donated to Care4Calaiscallumeaster.com

Mitchell Museum – I Wish I Was More George Bailey / Hey Christmas Tree
Inspired by the utterly timeless classic It’s a Wonderful Life, Glasgow alt-pop three-piece Mitchell Museum are urging everyone to remember to be good, suggesting everyone can be a little more George Bailey, which is just a lovey sentiment. Life wouldn’t have been nearly as bright without good old George Bailey.

Oh, and the bonus track – Hey Christmas Tree, clearly borrowing its name from Arnie’s famous smack talk to Dynamo in The Running Man – is a gorgeous reimagining of O Christmas Tree. Lovely stuff. scottishfiction.bandcamp.com

Echo Lab – Little Drummer Girl
Produced by Echo Lab in Perth, Charlotte Bibby, Cat Myers (KT Tunstall) and Audrey Tait (Broken Chanter) are three of the 12 female drummers from the UK and US who recorded this charity Christmas single. Little Drummer Girl is a twist on the original The Little Drummer Boy written in 1941 by Katherine Kennicott Davis. To help raise awareness of mental health in young musicians, all proceeds from the sale of the single will be split between the Tiny Changes and Action for Children charities. theecholab.co.uk

The Lutras – Give It Up For Christmas
This Dumfries four-piece have really captured the spirit of the season wiith their charity Christmas single, Give It Up For Christmas, and it has everything you could want in a Christmas single.

Brass section? Check. Choir? You bet! Sleigh bells? Um, d’uh! Big singalong energy? Ab-so-lutely! It's super catchy and will have you swaying and singing in no time, that we can guarantee. All proceeds are being split between the Music Venues Trust #saveourvenues campaign and Shelter. thelutras.bandcamp.com

The Just Joans – A Card From a Multipack
And finally, this track from The Just Joans is celebrating ten years since its first release, but it finally has a music video to accompany its melancholy lyricism. Our protagonist still very much cares about his ex, going to the trouble of making a card just for them, when in return all he gets is a card from a multipack. Harrowing stuff. Watch the video below (click here if it’s not displaying correctly).

And below is an extra wee easy-to-listen-to playlist of some of the best festive songs – originals and covers – to come out this year. It features some of the above tracks, as well as songs from the likes of Julia Jacklin, Carly Rae Jepsen, Phoebe Bridgers, Chilly Gonzalez, Field Music and our definite festive song of the year, Puppy for Hannukah by Daveed Diggs, who you may know from either his avante-rap group Clipping or from his outstanding performances as Marquis de Lafayette and Thomas Jefferson in Hamilton. Yup. That guy. You can watch the excellent video for Puppy for Hannukah here should you so wish. And you should.