Merry Tunes, Pt. 1

Apparently, there has been an avalanche of new holiday music this year. This post is my attempt to round up all the free nice tunes, but there’s so much I have to split it up in 2 parts. Hopefully, these music selections might soundtrack your holiday break well, or least, make it more bearable.

For an original track, The Pipettes’ “Santa’s On His Way” is both jolly and infectious! Surely, there needs to be some hand choreography for it. You can get the mp3 for the price of an email address here.
For the second year, Theoretical Girl gives away home recordings as part of her advent calendar. These twinkling covers and her dulcet voice are so lovely to hear. You can download her beautiful Beach Boys cover “God Only Knows” here, and check out her blog for more goodies. And there’s still time to make a cover request!
Best Coast and Wavves teamed up for a festive ditty called “Got Something For You”. This may be what Christmas sounds like in California, had it not been raining like crazy there. It’s part of Target’s free holiday compilation, and you can get more alternative holiday songs at their website.
The Puppini Sisters‘ new album “Christmas With The Puppini Sisters” is a collection of familiar tunes sung in their signature retro close-harmony style. May I suggest this album for a Mad-Men-themed Christmas party? Get their swell cover of Wham’s “Last Christmas” here.
Lounge/world band Pink Martini has a new Christmas album out, “Joy To The World”. You can download “We Three Kings” here, and buy the album here.
For those of you who’s suffering winter doldrums, dream-pop duo Beach House has recorded a new tune called “I Do Not Care For The Winter Sun”. Download it here!
Tracey Thorn is giving away her Sufjan Stevens cover “Sister Winter” for free at her website.
The Innocence Mission continues to be such an underrated folk band. They’re offering free downloads of their acoustic guitar renditions of traditional carols on their Soundcloud.
Last but not least, pop pixie Kylie has a new EP out, containing her renditions of “Let It Snow” & “Santa Baby”. Hurts, Coldplay, and The Killers have also released new festive songs and videos.