I think I'd quite like to spend Christmas curled up in Hotel Rival in Sweden. I imagine it's jolly lovely indeed and a rollicking festive time would be had by all. There have been some very delightful Christmas songs come out of Sweden and it's neighbouring countries in recent years. here are a few of their efforts this year...
Mans Zelmerlow ~ Kara Vinter: I have already extolled the virtue of mans at Christmas in this post here. But frankly, as he has a brand new festive song out (translation, Dear Winter), what better excuse to imagine oneself cuddled up to Mans by a roaring fire as he croons sweet nothings into your ear?! *Takes a moment* His new song (from his new Christmassy album of the same name) starts with a delicate piano that floats through your speakers like falling snow, enhanced by Mans gorgeous vocals which shine like the brightest star on a crisp frosty night. From this enchanting intro, it swells into a layered, warming melody with a stark percussion juxtaposed with a sweeping orchestral instrumental that - when all put together - creates a beautiful tune that sounds heartwarming whether you can understand the lyrics or not. Marv.
(MANS UPDATE - 15TH DEC 2011: Hurrah. Mans has only gone and performed Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas (top) and Kara Vinter (bottom) on Swedish television. Most marvelous he is looking, but more importantly, he sounds bloody brilliant too. Gorgeous arrangements, gorgeous vocals, gorgeous songs, gorgeous Mans)...
Marie Serneholt ~ Himlen i min famn: A few months ahead of her melodifestivalen 2012 entry (Salt and Pepper), Marie is warming up her vocals with a gorgeous, evocative number. It's very stately and elegant, sounding like something from Anastacia or a musical of that ilk. It's perfect for sitting on a window seat, in an oversized jumper, watching the snow fall - I love songs that conjour up these vivid images. A string laden middle 8 creates more images of a swirling formal dance across a glittering ballroom floor before Marie's crystalline vocal comes back for one more run through of that hypnotic chorus. Truly heavenly and angelic at any time of year...
Shackles ~ A Christmas Kiss With you: Take the shackles off my feet so I can dance! So sang mary mary once, and those lyrics are very apt for the very charming indeed song by Swedish duo, Shackles. It dashes along like a sleigh ride, with a perky instrumental, playful vocals and an exuberant, joyful delivery from the girls. Those flirtatious yet ultimately romantic lyrics make you want to grab the one you love and shimmy. Add to this the video above - with roaring fire, tree, glass of champers, festive knits, etc - and they have the most enticing Christmas musical gift I've heard in a while :) PLUS! One of them has quite a foxy looking fella to smooch under the mistletoe and that's ALWAYS a plus :)
Páll Óskar og Sigga Beinteins ~ Jólin koma með þér: Hurrah! I love a festive duet :) Remember when Mans got all smoochy with Agnes on a slowed down All I Want For Christmas? Or even Kylie & Jason's not festive but sort of especially for you?! Anyway, two legends of Icelandic eurovision have teamed up for a dreamy seasonal ballad and a sterling job they have done with it too! It's laden with bells chiming and their vocals playing off each other & harmonising like two love birds cooing in the glistening morning snow. As if the pretty melody wasn't enough, there's a killer key change to make your spine shiver in the last minute or so :) A genuinely engaging and delightful tune. Hurrah again!
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