Christmas music is supposed to behave itself — twinkle politely in the background, smell like pine and nostalgia, and never, ever ask too many questions. But 2025’s new crop of holiday songs didn’t get that memo. These tracks kick down the chimney, spill the eggnog, and start testifying, flirting, rocking, and soul-searching all at once. Somewhere between sacred hush and electric grin, this year’s Christmas releases remind us that the season isn’t just about comfort — it’s about collision: faith slamming into joy, memory wrestling with desire, and hope refusing to be quiet. What follows is not a gentle carol service, but a cracked, glorious mixtape for the faithful, the restless, and anyone who’s ever needed a little noise to feel the miracle.
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2VxCzfxYwO2G3oQ8uDj4UL?si=G8_MSE0sT5q0H3qCS1U-Zg
- Elvira Kalnik — “I Met You on Christmas”
This one slips in sideways, wrapped in romance and frost. Elvira Kalnik doesn’t shout; she remembers. The song feels like a half-forgotten kiss under cheap lights and real snow, where Christmas becomes the accidental witness to love that didn’t ask permission. It’s tender, cinematic, and quietly devastating. - Pentatonix — “Bah Humbug”
A cappella rebels in Christmas drag. Pentatonix flips seasonal cynicism into vocal gymnastics, turning Scrooge-energy into playful rebellion. It’s clever, crisp, and oddly cathartic — a reminder that even skepticism deserves harmony. - Robert Ross — “Rockin’ Christmas”
Ross doesn’t knock — he kicks the door in with a Telecaster. This is barroom Christmas: loud, loose, and proudly unpolished. It smells like spilled beer and tinsel, and that’s the point. Faith, family, and fun collide in a way that feels honest rather than tidy. - Lauren Spencer Smith — “Last First Christmas”
Heartbreak wears a Santa hat here. Smith delivers a slow-burn ballad that aches with memory, the kind of song that makes December feel longer and lonelier. It’s not about joy — it’s about what’s left when joy moves out. - DPB — “The Wonders of Christmas”
Pure wonder, unapologetically so. DPB leans hard into joy, awe, and spiritual optimism, delivering a track that sounds like Christmas morning bottled and shaken. This is belief with a beat — bright, buoyant, and fearless about its message. - Little Big Town — “The Innkeeper”
Storytelling Christmas. Country music has always known how to narrate faith, and this song proves it. A quiet, reflective retelling of the Nativity from the margins, it feels ancient and immediate at the same time. - Gwen Stefani — “Hot Cocoa”
Sugar rush Christmas. Stefani doubles down on playful pop excess, turning seasonal kitsch into a knowing wink. It’s fluffy, fun, and impossible to take seriously — which is exactly why it works. - Eddy Mann — “O’ Come”
This is the soul of the season laid bare. Mann transforms reverence into something raw and lived-in, a gospel-infused plea that feels more like prayer than performance. It doesn’t entertain — it testifies. - Jonas Brothers ft. Kenny G — “Coming Home This Christmas”
Smooth nostalgia with a saxophone halo. This track wraps sentimentality in polish, evoking airports, reunions, and the long drive home. It’s comfort food, expertly prepared. - Emily Ann Roberts — “Come Home to You”
Country warmth and holiday longing intertwine here. Roberts sings for anyone counting miles instead of days, turning Christmas into a promise rather than a place. - Kylie Minogue — “XMAS”
Slick, stylish, and joyfully superficial. Kylie delivers holiday pop that sparkles without apology. No soul-searching here — just dancefloor tinsel and champagne cheer. - Sara Bareilles & Brandi Carlile — “Salt Then Sour Then Sweet”
A grown-up Christmas duet. This song understands life’s flavors and doesn’t rush to resolve them. It glows quietly, like candlelight after the guests leave. - JVKE & Forrest Frank — “Christmas Morning”
Modern Christmas for a streaming generation. Bells meet beats, innocence meets irony, and somehow it works. Youthful and restless, like the holiday itself. - Gwen Stefani — “Shake the Snow Globe”
Chaos Christmas. This track embraces the mess — emotional, sonic, and seasonal. Shake it hard enough and something joyful spills out. - Miranda Lambert & Parker McCollum — “Band Together Texas”
Not born as a Christmas song, but adopted by the season through communal spirit and shared grit. It closes the list like a group hug — imperfect, loud, and real.
Taken together, these songs prove that Christmas in 2025 isn’t a single sound. It’s a collision — sacred and profane, polished and ragged, reverent and reckless. And that’s exactly how it should be.
–Leslie Banks