Written by: Nabila Esmail – Grade 12
“Christmas, Christmas, time is here…” and all of the artists are releasing their new Christmas music!! ❤ That literally symbolizes Christmas for me because I am a big fan of music! This probably won’t be posted on time for Christmas, but the music I am going to be talking about is probably going to be an all-year favourite!!
My personal favourite this time around has been the new Christmas EP by Ariana Grande entitled “Christmas & Chill”. Now I’m not going to lie… I am probably going to be really biased about this new release, but seriously… Who doesn’t love Ariana Grande?! Like all other articles I read said “Christmas came early for us Arianators”. This is a sort of review of this new album but I will just be breaking down each song and why I loved it, but I will try not to ramble on and on about why I love it so much.
Now I was growing more and more desperate because Ariana was teasing her fans with short clips through Snapchat and Twitter, but when it came out it was such a great surprise that it was worth the wait! She tweeted out saying (I’m paraphrasing) that she recorded this in a week with her closest friends and producers in her new home studio built by her boyfriend Ricky Alvarez. I just find that so cute! She calls him bae!
So for the breakdown:
1. Intro
This one is a very short and sweet track introducing basically the album. (Hence the name!) I really like the way her voice does her runs and the harmonies she creates. In one of her interviews she talks about how she loves putting layers into her music, and that is something I personally love about her. I also love how all of them sound classic and retro.
Some lyrics:
“Welcome to this Christmas only comes one time of year don’t miss this, I just wanna welcome you to Christmas let me sneak into your speakers, listen…”
2. Wit It This Christmas (Milk and Cookies)
My personal favourite from this album, it is a very modern take on Christmas. I just love this song so much, it is very hard to explain. There are so many references to classical Christmas things in such an amazing way. It just makes so much sense. It is simple yet has so many sounds, like a mini violin solo at the end. Definitely one to check out!! J
Some lyrics:
“…Are you down for some of these milk and cookies…
‘Tis the season for some love giving so I think you should give your love to me
Baby let me know
Are you wit it this Christmas…”
3. December
This song kinda makes me want to jam! This leans more towards an R&B and Soul feel. But again with the layers of her voice!! I love it! I can’t relate as much to the lyrics, but again it is a very clever way to combine Christmas themes into music. In previous years she has released covers of old songs, but these are completely original lyrics and musical choices.
“When December comes I bet you want to wrap me all up and take me home with you…
Whatever is on your list I’ll do it…
Merry Christmas here I am boy
I’m your present and you know it here I am boy…”
4. Not Just On Christmas
I find this song probably the sweetest song of the whole album. At first I didn’t like it that much, but then I realized that it is so simple but it means so much in a lyrical sense. The whole message of this song is to appreciate your loved ones, not only on Christmas but all year. I know that it is the season for giving, but it’s an important message to remember. She even mentions that no matter what circumstances you undergo, every day of the year it’s important to appreciate and love one another.
Some lyrics:
“I’ll love you till I die boy
Every day of my life
I celebrate you baby I adore you
Not just on Christmas
Wanna show you in so many ways
365 days…
Baby whether rain or shine
Naughty or nice
I’m by your side…”
5. True Love
This is a close second to “Wit It This Christmas”! This was the first song that played on Snapchat and I was instantly in love with it. I actually find it so crazy that social media has increased its influence and speed so very much. Any snap that lasts 10 seconds reaches us instantaneously and we feel a connection to people far away without having to be there. But nothing really beats the actual feeling of spending time with another person and living in the moment with them, give them your undivided attention.
Anyways! Enough of this talk! On to the song. You guys probably recognize the lyrics from the holiday song “Twelve Days of Christmas” as she lists of what her true love gave to her. Unfortunately she stops at only 6 days. 😦 But I am still trying to figure out the meaning behind that. There has to be something. But this is song is da bomb! Very catchy and easy to remember and sing along to.
Some lyrics:
“On the first day of Christmas when you gave me all them kisses…
On the third day of Christmas we got all into feelings, said I loved you and meant it
Look at all the things my true love gave to me, my true love, you are my true love…”
6. Winter Things
I am jealous of this song because we live in Canada and it’s mostly cold outside! 😥 But this is probably the cutest song of the whole album. It starts and continues with the ukulele and just talks about doing some winter things with the person she loves. I personally only love winter because of the things and feelings I get around Christmas and New Year’s. I cannot believe how fast a year can pass by.
Some lyrics:
“It ain’t even cold outside, not where I’m from
Feeling like its mid-July under the sun
My jacket don’t get no love, no hats and no gloves
Not even a chance to rain
But my baby’s in town and we’re gonna do some winter things
Heyo I wanna pretend like we’re at the North Pole, turning the heat into an ice cold holiday made for just me and my baby…”
Overall, I really cannot get enough of Ariana Grande. Her music is exactly what I look for in an artist, and it takes me a long time to really appreciate an artist to this extent. I think that is unfortunate for me, but I am starting to learn to really look at the music, the lyrics, the voice and emotion and time someone puts into making a song or any sort of piece. I am trying to teach myself how to play the guitar, and I really do understand the struggle and time and patience it really takes to make something perfect, at least for the individual.
I really wish that it was longer with both more songs and length, but this just makes me more excited for her new album “Moonlight” which should be releasing early 2016! Plus, it was so simple and sweet you barely notice the length. 😉
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year everyone! I hope this New Year brings much love, happiness and success in your lives! 🙂
Check this out! You will not regret it!
Pearson Press 