No one could have expected that 2020’s Holiday Season would pan out like this, but that hasn’t stopped numerous artists like Lil Nas X from dropping festive bangers over the past couple of months.

Whether they’re renditions of the classics or original tunes, these 15 tracks provide a necessary reminder of what this time of year is all about. Many are unable to honor traditions in the way they did before COVID-19 hit, but nothing can stop music from nourishing the heart.

Everyone has those records they need to spin each December, but give these a try as well.

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Lil Nas X, “HOLIDAY” — “HOLIDAY” is the first single from Lil Nas X’s upcoming album. The track is great if you love chart-topping rap and want to incorporate a little holiday feel into your playlist. It has the unique catchiness that defines much of his still short discography. It could also be considered one of the newest holiday LGBT anthems, in that Lil Nas X doesn’t shy away from gay references throughout the track. Lil Nas X is one of the most prominent gay rappers of this generation, and it’s so refreshing to see him as someone kids can aspire to be. — Aarushi Nanda

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Liam Payne and Dixie D’Amelio, “Naughty List” — Liam Payne and TikToker Dixie D’amelio’s voices complement each other well on this festive love song. It has a classic holiday pop feel with all the bells and mistletoe references, but without it becoming cheesy or forced. “Naughty List” is the perfect song for holiday shopping (even when that shopping is online this year) because it’s so easy to give repeat listens, making it a sure-fire way to get you in the Christmas spirit. — Aarushi Nanda

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FINNEAS, “Another Year” — Another year indeed, one for which we should all get therapy. FINNEAS actually wrote this song last year, not realizing how it would resinate after 2020 ran its course. It’s a song of refuge, while acknowledging the stress and baggage the holidays bring. He doesn’t sound bitter, just resolved in his will to preserve the love he has for those around him instead of a fickle display of Christmas cheer. The delicate piano and warm upright bass thumps carry the sense of urgent longing: “Hurry home, please, I don’t belong without you.” As so many people remain apart during this time, the words hit home in more way than one. — Max Heilman

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August Burns Red, “All I Want For Christmas Is You” — It seems pretty clear that August Burns Red won’t stop its holiday escapades until its released a metalcore cover of every Christmas song ever written. You’d think the novelty would have warn off six years after 2014’s 15-track holiday album Sleddin’ Hill, but the fun-loving vibe of ABR’s cover of “All I Want For Christmas Is You” is undeniable. The song remains true to the band’s rearrangement method: lead guitar handles the melody while the rest of the band finds nuanced ways to work in a breakdown here and a guitar solo there. The guitar solos of ABR Christmas songs are especially cool, tastefully toying with the recognizable hook. Instrumental metal music is also more appropriate for holiday dinners—no growls to upset grandma! — Max Heilman

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Dee Snider and Lzzy Hale, “The Magic of Christmas Day” — Lzzy Hale and Dee Snider are lead vocalist heroes for their respective generations of hard rock and heavy metal. The star power for this original Christmas anthem is evident, but it actually has a very personal origin story. Snider originally wrote this song as a Christmas gift for his wife, before it was popularized by Celine Dion as a part of her 1998 album, These Are Special Times. Snider is the credited writer in the liner notes! Twenty-two years later, Snider’s finally ready to unveil his vision for the track. He insisted the help of Hale (of Halestorm), who proves more than a worthy match for his vocal chops. The two harmonize and trade verses over bombastic, surprisingly well-orchestrated instrumentation. — Max Heilman

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Dallas Smith, “Classic” — Smith puts a country twist on the classic Sinatra vibe. His blend of sweet-sounding vocals and romantic piano phrases runs parallel to the satisfying sensation of drinking a hot cup of cocoa topped with cinnamon and whipped cream. The chorus pushes the tempo with a full band of guitar, bass and drumbeats. Smith generates lyrical nostalgia, name-dropping Mariah Carey as he quotes “All I Want for Christmas is You.” He also makes a reference to one of his latest singles, “Timeless,” as he goes on to proclaim his love to his special someone. — Amelia Parreira

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Chloe Flower, “Carol of the Bells” — Flower’s spin on the Christmas staple “Carol of the Bells” maintains the core of the song, while layering on dramatic flourishes and musical complexities to add an element of modernity to a standard that already holds up better than most. And obviously, the piano melody central to the song is performed beautifully by Flower, a Juilliard-educated classical pianist. — Daniel J. Willis

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Lights, “Deck The Halls” — This Christmas classic gets a pop-rock twist, entering with a 20-second explosion of instrumental force, as Lights Poxleitner-Bokan takes the spotlight with her sultry, powerhouse vocals while she leaves space between lyrics for pulsating percussion and intense, bass-laden electronica. This cover version may not be your typical jolly jingle, but it will keep you dancing through the season. — Amelia Parreira

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Carly Rae Jepsen, “It’s Not Christmas Till Somebody Cries” — This upbeat disco-pop anthem amplifies a realistic look at family life. Jepsen deals with political rants from relatives, a picky-eating vegan boyfriend and more as everyone comes together for the holiday festivities. The song enters with sprinkles of piano, sassy electric synths and jingling bells before rocking drum hits lead into Jepsen’s bopping vocals. The chorus features many underlying harmonies and finger-snaps to keep up the danceable vibe. — Amelia Parreira

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Rozei, “Mean One” — Tired of traditional Christmas songs? This is not one of those. Melodic rapper Rozei’s “Mean One” is clearly inspired by “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” but is definitely its own, refreshing thing. Granted, it’s only a Christmas song in the same sense that “Die Hard” is a Christmas movie, since it’s primarily a song about a breakup that happens to take place around Christmas. But like “Die Hard,” it’s significantly better than purer, more traditional examples. — Daniel J. Willis

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BANNERS, “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” — Toronto artist Michael Nelson, better known as as BANNERS, primarily uses a piano on this track, which is a huge step away from the synth-laden indie rock he’s built up on his catalog. Nelson pays homage to Frank Sinatra’s version by making his cover as stripped-down as possible—no fancy synths or layering of vocals, just him and one instrument. It is a beautiful take made for these colder days. — Aarushi Nanda

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Black Pumas, “Christmas Will Really Be Christmas” — In 1967, Lou Rawls sang, “Christmas will really be Christmas when the whole world will smile again.” His soulful, horn-heavy track tells it straight that the holiday can’t live up to its true meaning until everyone in the world has peace and happiness. That message struck a chord with Black Pumas, who recently made their own cover of the song. On their version, the psychedelic soul duo takes it up an octave and rounds everything out with stunning female background vocals. Members Eric Burton and Adrian Quesada pack in immense flavor with playful piano and bass parts—all perfectly fit for a Lou Rawls cover. — Chloe Catajan

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Josie Dunne, “Holidays” — After the general state of the world came crashing down in 2020, even a sliver of hope can be hard to find. For some, the holiday season becomes a form of reprieve. Pop singer-songwriter Josie Dunne aims to share that festive cheer through her latest single, “Holidays.” On top of a whimsical melody and a sample of Tchaikovsky’s “Dance Of The Reed Flutes,” Dunne brings out a bit of glimmer in dark times. Between pine-scented candles, snow and greeting cards, there are still reasons out there to smile. With the release, Dunne is also campaigning for The Histiocytosis Association to grant some fan wishes and raise funds for the organization. — Chloe Catajan

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Dashboard Confessional, “Blue Christmas” — From alternate versions of essential Dashboard albums to covers of Post Malone’s “Circles” and Regina Spektor’s “Better,” Chris Carrabba and crew have a special way of making a song feel new and familiar all at once. The band most recently took on Elvis Presley’s “Blue Christmas,” and the result is like whiskey for the soul. Carrabba’s whispery croons on top of the slow swirls of a guitar put a dreamy spin on the seasonal classic. His delicate delivery of holiday lovesickness just melts into the melody’s rich and warm tones. — Chloe Catajan

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Ben Caplan, “O Holy Night” — In its purest form, “O Holy Night” can seem a bit stodgy to the modern ear. Fortunately, Caplan does not stick to the carol’s purest form. The beat lends hints of the blues, the strings give it an orchestral flair and Caplan’s smooth, baritone vocals give a gravitas to the lyrics. This adds extra layers of emotion that standards usually lack. Stay for the end; the closing crescendo is the best part by far. — Daniel J. Willis