The founder and namesake of Kens Apothecary opens up about finding contentment amidst life’s challenges.
CULTURE | MUSICMusic To
CULTURE | MUSICMusic To Get You MerryWhether you’re decorating the Christmas tree or throwing an intimate shindig at home,a soundtrack with the best festive songs is essential to set the mood.It’s Beginning to Looka Lot Like ChristmasMichael BubléAll I Want For ChristmasIs YouMariah CareyTwenty-six years after its release, Carey’s ultimatefestive classic is still the go-to bop to get any soireestarted. It consistently lands in the top spot on theBillboard Holiday 100. Carey co-wrote and coproducedit for her first holiday album Merry Xmas,released in 1994. With an estimated sale of over 16million copies, it remains the best-selling Christmassingle by a female artist and one of the best-sellingsingles of all time. An up-tempo and infectious lovesong that includes bell chimes, heavy back-up vocalsand synthesizers, resistance to this is futile.Bublé’s cover of It’s Beginning to Look a Lot LikeChristmas became an instant classic, and sodid the rest of his holiday album. In 2011- the year it was released - Christmas spentfive weeks in the No. 1 spot on the Billboard200 album sales chart. It’s hard to fathomthat Bublé is not a crooner from the 50s. Heputs his own slant on any song, making thistraditional Yuletide classic worth having in your playlist. With his smooth, laidbackvocals, he makes you feel like you’re right in front of an imaginary fireplace with yourfriends and family.Santa Tell MeAriana GrandeIs it possible for a song to be an instant classic?In 2014, Ariana Grande released this holidaysingle, and it immediately became one ofher biggest hits. Most Christmas songs areforgotten by the new year but not this. Santa TellMe cleverly works Grande’s natural evanescenceto its advantage, casting the former child staras a teenager pleading with Santa for aboyfriend who won’t disappear after she “gives it all away”. There’s nothing kitschabout the smart beat or Grande’s breathy yet powerful vocals, poised between girlishnessand adulthood.Last ChristmasCarly Rae JepsenOne of the biggest holidayhits, Last Christmas was writtenby George Michael andreleased way back in 1986.Although not technically aChristmas song as it tells ofa broken-hearted man who’strying to forget an ex-lover,it is still only usually heard during the year-end festivities. Unlikemany of the earlier covers, Jepsen keeps things simple in her version.It is still purely a pop song, here to soothe anyone with a badcase of holiday heartache. Turn it up for chill 80s vibes anda reminder that there’s way more to the season than findingromance.Santa’sComing for UsSiaFrom Sia’s Everyday IsChristmas album, this is amodern, upbeat take on theclassic Santa Claus Is Coming toTown. Sia’s debut single fromthis album is breaking awayfrom our expectations ofholiday albums. It is an original song that isn’t backed by constantjingling bells and barely samples from within the genre. What it doesoffer is an extremely catchy chorus, and an updated list of all thethings that we look forward to in the approaching festivities. By theend, it cements its acceptance into the song genre, whilst maintainingits modern vibe.TM | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 202012
