The holidays are quickly approaching. Christmas and Hannukah are only a little more than a month away, and for the United States, Thanksgiving begins in less than forty-eight hours. Stores are already prepped for the season, and soon houses around the world will be hanging up their stockings and setting the candles out on their menorahs.
And of course, some radio stations, if they haven’t done so already, will transition from their usual playlists to songs for the holidays. The season doesn’t truly begin until tunes like “Baby It’s Cold Outside” and “Mary, Did You Know?” hit the radios.
While some people can’t wait for traditional Christmas music to flood the stations, there are many that are tired of hearing the same ones over and over. Even if they only come around once a year, a lot of them are ridiculously overplayed every December.
Luckily, there is a solution; covers.
Around the holidays, many artists and bands release their own versions of classics, as well as produce new songs all together. If it’s from the right singer, a person who typically hates Christmas music can become the one that’s humming “I Saw Mommy Kiss Santa Claus” down the hall.
Many artists wait until December before releasing their holiday tunes, but luckily, that’s not the case with Sleeping At Last.
If you’re not familiar with that name, Sleeping At Last is an alternative rock musical project currently led by Ryan O’Neal. Over the last few years, the project’s songs have been played in countless TV shows and movies. “Saturn” was featured in Grey’s Anatomy, “Turning Page” was played during The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Pt 1, and “West” made an appearance during an episode of Criminal Minds.
The project also specializes in covers. Sleeping At Last has recorded their own versions of “Make You Feel My Love” by Bob Dylan, “As Long As You Love Me” by the Backstreet Boys, and many other well-known songs. While the project has released upbeat music, the majority of the covers are beautifully slowed down. Not too long ago, Sleeping At Last took Katy Perry’s “Dark Horse” and twisted it, changing it from a pure pop hit to an unforgettable and haunting ballad.
What makes Sleeping At Last so special is the project’s incredible ability to convey emotion. The powerful and eerie instruments pull you in, the lyrics settle deep in your chest, and Ryan’s unique vocals make you feel heartbreak, love, or uncertainty, whether those are the current feelings in your heart or not.
In preparation of December, Sleeping At Last released sixteen chillingly emotional Christmas covers. The collection includes “I’ll Be Home for Christmas”, “White Christmas”, and many other phenomenally recreated classics. Like expected, the tracks tug on your heartstrings in the best way possible, while also calmly and peacefully transitioning you into the holiday season.
While most of the project’s albums have a price tag, Christmas Collection 2016 is one-hundred percent free. It’s available for listening on Spotify, and it can also be downloaded without a charge here through NoiseTrade. There is an option to leave a tip, and in honor of the holidays, Sleeping At Last is donating all of the proceeds to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. If you don’t have Spotify or if you don’t want to go to NoiseTrade, you can listen down below as well.
Christmas may still be over a month away, but it’s not too early to get into the holiday spirit. If you can’t stand listening to the same renditions of songs each year, or if you’re just looking for some new ones, scroll up and give Sleeping At Last’s album a go. After one listen, you might just find yourself playing it again, and again, and possibly, even again.
Do you listen to Christmas music? If you’re a fan of Sleeping At Last, what’s your favorite song/cover? Tell us by tweeting us at @CelebMix.