Jamming All The Way

Ho-ho-how’s it going,

It’s exactly one month to Christmas — how are you tuning in to the season? 🎄

Well for me, none of my holiday playlists would be complete without Michael Bublé’s Christmas classics. I also find Christmas playlists by Korean curators on Youtube especially vibey, with their aesthetic video backgrounds, chill beats and healthy mix of old and new Christmas music.

Besides the usual festive hits, you’ll realise that a surprising number of off-season songs sound like Christmas if you listen closely. This week, let’s explore non-Christmas tunes that even Santa would approve.

Plus, I’ve got an early Christmas gift for you! 🎁 Check out my newest Christmas playlist below and vibe to the season’s best tunes ✨

Cheers,

Val ♫

(P.S If you are reading this in your email, please click “Read Online” at the top-right corner next to the date for a better reading experience!)

In this week's setlist:

• ❄️ Cozy Christmas Tunes

• 🛷 Music That Sleighs (Slays)

• 🎶 New Music This Week: Korean Autumn Vibes

• 📼 Your Go-To Mixtapes: X’mas Bops

❄️ Cozy Christmas Tunes

It may not be December yet, but it’s never too early to get into the holiday spirit. There’s always something about the crisp year-end air that’s chilly, yet tender and light.

Even admiring twinkling Christmas lights and embracing the warmth of a soft blanket feel like healing your inner child. Well, nothing complements this feeling better than soft jingles and indie Christmas tunes.

Here are a mix of seasonal and off-season tracks to soothe your senses:

• My Fire by Sam Ock: It has a little bit of that bossa nova vibe, but instead of the usual tropical seaside vibes, you’re listening to this as you’re drink a cup of warm chocolate while watching the snow fall from your window.

• Falling by Elaine: I just love how quietly wholesome and warm this song feels. I can imagine a couple holding hands while walking at a winter wonderland at sunrise. Perfect for a Christmas rom-com movie.

• Christmas Time Is Here by Daniela Andrade: This cover takes a slower spin on a classic, turning it into a lullaby you can fall asleep to beside the Christmas tree.

• Won’t Forget by Annie Dang: Get into a reflective state as you look back at the year, and make a pact to cherish this Christmas season.

🛷 Music That Sleighs (Slays)

Many pop artists have jumped on the bandwagon with their seasonal albums, but only a few have truly broken through the holidays with unforgettable hits. You know the songs — they’re always playing everywhere in public on a never-ending loop.

Of course, ’tis the season of giving, so here are my personal mainstream favorites to listen to, ones you might not have heard of or don’t know the name of:

• Santa Doesn’t Know You Like I Do by Sabrina Carpenter: Y’all slept on Sabrina last Christmas! Contrary to the yearning part, the feel-good beats put it on par with other Christmas pop hits out there. I guess more people are (and definitely should be) adding this to their Christmas playlist by now.

• Christmas In My Heart by Loving Caliber and Mia Pfirrman: This song always gets my mood up instantly! It’s got a fun beat you wanna groove to.

• Heal The Pain by George Michael: I first heard this song from the movie Last Christmas, and I got hooked. What makes the music so uniquely charming is not just the percussions but the song’s message to stay hopeful through the season.

🎶 New Music This Week: Korean Autumn Vibes

Just got back from my end-year trip to Korea, and I’m having major withdrawal symptoms! So, I’ll be recommending some Korean bops I came across during my trip:

she moves by leejean: This song is giving chill, beach summer in the tropics. Listen to this during the Christmas season, or whichever season of your choice.

H.S.K.T by LeeHi (feat. Wonstein): This could easily give Taeyang’s “Eyes, Nose Lips” a run for its money – thirsting sounds so much sexier when it’s sung by a pop girly.

HEYA by IVE: After being out of my K-pop fan phase for over a decade, this was one of the newer songs I could vibe with. Also, I swear this song was playing everywhere in Seoul.

Come Home by Heon Seo: This track feels like a softer, more mellow take on “Die With a Smile” by Bruno Mars and Lady Gaga — but make it K-drama.

📼 Your Go-To Mixtapes: X’mas Bops

X’mas Bops: I’m sharing the gift of music this holiday season! Tune in to my latest mixtape where I’ve curated cool picks to give you the holly jolly rockin’ festive vibes this Christmas 🎅🏻

Best of 2024: My best music finds this year, in one playlist. Save this to your Spotify so you stay updated with new songs till the end of 2024 👌🏻

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