The Tuesday Tracks crew had a slow week with pretty much all musician taking the week off from work, but we listened to more than 150 holiday-themed tracks that have accumulated in our inbox since early last fall and picked our 12 favorites to help you with your party playlists! Check out these covers and originals by Suki Waterhouse, Sabrina Carpenter, Fitz and The Tantrums and more!

Forest Blakk, “Coming Home for Christmas” — This song has the perfect blend of string-pulling sentimentality (it’s literal here, with plucked cello strings) and poppy elements. Blakk sings his own version of the USPS’ “neither rain, nor snow, nor sleet, nor hail” mantra, declaring nothing will keep him from his loved ones over the holidays. It’s a modern-sounding tune, for sure, but it’s got the hallmarks of the classics.

***

Sabrina Carpenter, “white xmas” — Singer-actor Sabrina Carpenter released an entire holiday EP this year, fruitcake. It starts off with a few songs very much not in the spirit of the holiday, but her rendition of “White Christmas,” which concludes the record, is a welcome surprise, replacing the typically male-sung song with feminine energy, even the harmonic vocalizations. Just add this song to your Christmas playlist where the classic would go. Perfect fit!

Maisie Peters, “Together This Christmas” — This one’s actually a year old but just now getting a proper release. London singer-songwriter Maisie Peters, friend of RIFF, wrote the original tune for the soundtrack to a holiday film released in the U.K. She’d worked with its director previously on the soundtrack to Apple TV show “Trying,” which she oversaw. Creating something wholly new that would fit next to Mariah’s classic is a tough gamble but Peters pulled it off with this upbeat number full of jolliness and optimism.

***

Fitz and the Tantrums, “Some Kind of Christmas” — We love a good rock and roll Christmas song, along the likes of the famous ’80s charity singles. This beat-forward cut by Fitz and the Tantrums is from their own holiday EP, Perfect Holiday. The song name-drops phrases and traditions that many share around the holidays, like caroling and listening to Nat King Cole. The melody is downright Beatlesque, tinged with jingle bells.

Suki Waterhouse, “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” — Brooding renditions of holiday classic should be their own subgenre. Our favorite this year is this tune by Saki Waterhouse that… makes us want to cry a little. It sounds almost Nick-Cave-like in its delivery. It changes the entire tone of the song from warm and joyous to dark a foreboding. Maybe not the best song for Christmas Day, but a perfect if you’re down in the dumps. The song is apparently available only for a month, with sale and stream process going to L.A. nonprofit A Sense of Home.

***

Matt Rogers, “Also It’s Christmas” — Tis’ the season for merriment and there is plenty to celebrate in Matt Rogers’ fun, campy entry into the holiday song list. His irreverent take is sure to be a favorite for both EDM lovers and the LGBTQ community. It’s a gift that keeps on giving with its electronic dance groove and bright synth chords serving up Rogers’ smooth tenor voice on a platter. The sassy single is chock-full of steamy one-liners, double-entendres. It’ll get the fire roaring and help spread the warmth and cheer.

Chloe Flower, “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy” — This is the classic ballet piece we recognize from “The Nutcracker” fused with a modern hip-hop beat. The result is a great addition to any Christmas party playlist. Chloe Flower’s arrangement makes more than just fairies want to dance. This contemporary rendition of Tchaikovsky’s masterpiece, along with the rest of her album, Chloe Hearts Christmas, is a great listen for anyone looking for something fresh this holiday season. Chloe Flower is a Tuesday Tracks veteran and she’s even made our holiday column in the past.

Hakushi Hasegawa, “Wonderful Christmastime” — Tokyo musician Hasegawa brings a cool, jazzy, J-pop cover of Paul McCartney’s famous holiday tune. Hasegawa uses synths in a way Macca would definitely approve of, and their voice gives the song a mysterious, otherworldly vibe. This song is an Apple Music exclusive.

EELS, “Christmas, Why You Gotta Do Me Like This?” — You can count on E of EELS to come through with a Christmas tune. He’s already got two: “Everything’s Gonna Be Cool This Christmas” and “Christmas is Going to the Dogs.” But those were upbeat rockers. “I put up my lights and/ Hung the mistletoe/ So why did you have to leave me all alone?” E asks. This mournful number is for all the lonely hearts out there.

***

From Ashes To New, “All I Want For Christmas Is You” — A few songs into listening to this year’s crop of Christmas tracks, we declared that all Mariah Carey covers are automatically disqualified. “All I Want For Christmas Is You” has easily and by far been the most overplayed, oversaturated Christmas song in the rotation for years. Then we got to this one by From Ashes to New, played it out of curiosity, and… OK, so maybe we were a bit hasty. This version is great. Turns out all it needed to be good again is metal guitars.

The Lumineers, “Deck The Halls” — Imagine a barebones version of this familiar holiday tune. Slow it down to a glacial pace. Then strip away the “fa la la la las.” It’s a melancholic take and one worth listening to because of its simple arrangement. It also helps that Lumineers singer Wesley Schultz injects raw emotion into each word he sings. This song is sincere without sounding saccharine. It feels like soft winter snow falling from the night sky.

Phony Ppl, “Christmastime is Here” — With a soulful rendition on the “Charlie Brown” classic, Brooklyn quintet Phony Ppl reimagines this beloved holiday tune. Swapping out the original piano-led melody (composed by the Bay Area’s own Vince Guaraldi) for jazz strings and soft percussion, it’s a sweet yet funky track perfect for enjoying by the fireplace.