PHOTO PROVIDED BY SIMONE RECORDS
Mirabelle
The sky was white, of Mirabelle
The talented Mirabelle (Laurence Hélie) has concocted two Christmas songs with Confit Turnip as an accomplice: The sky was white, which talks about his childhood Christmases, and Ribbons, on the pleasure of getting together. Carried by the sweetness of the singer-songwriter’s voice, these two indie-folk pieces are haloed with beautiful melancholy and subtly evoke Christmas.
Josée Lapointe, Press
PHOTO PROVIDED BY OBLIK RECORDS
Amay Laoni
It’s strong, Christmas (Anthem), by Amay Laoni
It’s hard to resist the festive atmosphere of It’s strong, Christmas, which appears on the winter EP Anthem by Amay Laoni. With her still sophisticated electro-pop, the singer-songwriter from Quebec speaks in these six songs of magic, encounters, lights, waiting, gifts and warmth, in a very dancing atmosphere, but with small moments of emotion. A modern, joyful and introspective Christmas.
Josée Lapointe, Press
PHOTO PROVIDED BY DUPRINCE
The choir of There are people at mass
On the evening of December 24, of Sarah Bourdon, Alex McMahon and the choir of There are people at mass
It’s an instant classic from singer-songwriter Sarah Bourdon and director Alex McMahon, with an all-gospel, bells song that celebrates the holiday reunion, sung by the all-star choir of the ’emission There are people at mass. Only one question arises: when will the complete album be? We’re voting for 2022!
Josée Lapointe, Press
IMAGE PROVIDED BY DAVID MYLES
David Myles
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, by David Myles
The Fredericton singer-songwriter, who knows his classics, released an excellent Christmas album in 2014. He’s back with his sweet take on that timeless song, Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, which is imbued with hope and light, and where the violins, guitar and the singer’s deep voice come together perfectly. The best of Christmas cool.
Josée Lapointe, Press
White christmas (It tastes like Christmas), by QW4RTZ (with Marc Hervieux)
PHOTO PROVIDED BY QW4RTZ
The QW4RTZ a cappella quartet
The a cappella quartet offers their first Christmas album, which features no less than 19 songs, including 4 original compositions. There is something for everyone, hymns, popular songs and trad, all arranged in QW4RTZ sauce, but for its swing and charm, it’s this big band version of White christmas with Marc Hervieux, who also appears as a bonus song on the album Christmas nostalgia that the tenor has just launched.
Josée Lapointe, Press
IMAGE FROM VEVO VIDEO
John legend
You Deserve It All, by John Legend
Little pre-Christmas depression? John Legend celebrates his time at Republic Records with a holiday song of gratitude and appreciation. On You Deserve It All, co-written with Meghan Trainor, the crooner assures his (or his) recipient to have found the “perfect gift”, without specifying whether it is carnal, spiritual or stupidly material. We forget the sweet words, but we retain the contagious bonhomie and the arrangements of brass and strings.
Charles-Éric Blais-Poulin, Press
PHOTO ZAKARY WALTERS, FROM THE TWITTER SPIN OR BIN MUSIC ACCOUNT
Ed Sheeran and Elton John
Merry Christmas, by Elton John and Ed Sheeran
The legend and the star, the piano and the guitar; Elton John, who invited us to Step Into Christmas in 1973, convinced compatriot Ed Sheeran to sign his very first Christmas song. Deliberately “jovialist”, Merry christmas overflowing with clichés – bells and children’s chorus as reinforcements – and good feelings. ” I know there’s been pain this year, but it’s time to let it go. Don’t shy away from your fun: the British pair are donating the profits to charities.
Charles-Éric Blais-Poulin, Press
PHOTO PROVIDED BY THE PRODUCTION
Christmas as before, of the EnsembleLive from the universe
The title track of this debut album by the team of musicians and singers ofLive from the universe envelops us in a comforting and nostalgic comforter. Christmas like in the old days, written by Émilie Janvier and composed by Jean-Benoit Lasanté, succeeds in a perilous exercise: bringing a lasting stone to the fragile “Noëlien” building.
Charles-Éric Blais-Poulin, Press
PHOTO PROVIDED BY CHILLY GONZALES
Chilly gonzales
White Christmas, by Chilly Gonzales
The reissue of A Very Chilly Christmas, album of mainly instrumental covers by Chilly Gonzales released last year, gives us the gift of a piano reinterpretation of White Christmas, Irving Berlin classic recorded in 1942. The Montreal-born musician emphasizes having favored a major key “in a spirit of cautious optimism”. That we share …
Charles-Éric Blais-Poulin, Press
PHOTO EDOUARD PLANTE-FRÉCHETTE, THE PRESS
Portrait of the musician Elliot Maginot
The Ballad of Mrs. Claus, by Elliot Maginot
A tradition settles in the repertoire of Elliot Maginot, who offers this year his third Christmas composition. On The Ballad of Mrs. Claus, the singer-songwriter tells the story of Mother Christmas, for whom Christmas Eve is always synonymous with loneliness. An original piece where the familiar references of the Christmas song (think bells and bells!) Unite with the catchy melody and the delicate feather of Maginot.
Marissa Groguhé, Press
PHOTO THE SUN
Gab Package
Midnight, Christians, by Gab Paquet
the Midnight Christians by Gab Paquet is not the Midnight Christians that you are used to. The frantic rhythm of the electric guitar, the not quite right voice of the performer, the static but captivating music video that accompanies it (to see!): After Ginette Reno or Andrea Bocelli, Paquet’s interpretation is the interpretation of Midnight Christians that we didn’t think we needed, but that inevitably makes us smile.
Marissa Groguhé, Press
IMAGE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Norah jones
I Dream of Christmas (album), by Norah Jones
This is not the first time that singer-songwriter Norah Jonas has served us Christmas carols and we are not complaining! This 8e The American musician’s studio album consists of 13 pieces, covers as well as original songs. Jazz and Christmas tones blend beautifully and Jones never disappoints vocally, true to herself.
Marissa Groguhé, Press
PHOTO ROBERT SKINNER, THE PRESS
Dermot kennedy
Driving Home for Christmas, by Dermot Kennedy
Dermot Kennedy’s superb voice suits this cover of Chris Rea’s play so well! Driving Home for Christmas is the Irish singer-songwriter’s favorite Christmas song. For the holiday season, he therefore presents his own, refined version of this play which tells of the desire to be at home, alongside his loved ones, for Christmas. A little gem! – Marissa Groguhé, Press
IMAGE FU
Christmas at the chalet, by Joe Robinson
Unknown here, guitarist Joe Robinson won the television competition Australia’s Got Talent in 2008. Married to a Québécoise, he recorded his album Christmas at the chalet in October… in a chalet located by a lake. He makes his six-string sing without voice or other accompaniment on classics whose Happy Xmas (War Is Over) by John Lennon and Yoko Ono. It’s light, versatile, and interpreted with great skill.
Alexandre Vigneault, Press