It’s a divisive time of year. No, not because the US election is still being disputed, though that’s an obvious cause for debate—but an ongoing life-altering battle continues to rage on in households throughout the nation and we all must choose a side. Is it time to start celebrating Christmas already?
And with that, here comes Jenn Grant swaying smoothly back into our lives, throwing one of the first subtle jabs in this battle, firmly on the side of Christmas.
The Juno-nominated Halifax songstress has prepared an entire album’s worth of seasonal standards to stuff our sonic stockings and she has let us open one present early with her single and accompanying video for “Downtown Christmas Eve”.
Jenn’s warm tones welcome us with grace and affection that insists you feel at home. She recorded the song and upcoming album during last year’s Christmas season with the help of long-time partner Daniel Ledwell and the comfort and ease between the two shines throughout this effort.
There’s a quiet intimacy to the track as Grant sings that, “Nobody knows just where we would go downtown on Christmas Eve”. The line elicits an image of the couple wholesomely sneaking away from a seasonal gathering to do nothing at all but spend it together.
The corresponding music video features a solitary Grant singing to the camera in her version of festive attire (reindeer antlers anyone?). It’s a simplistic approach that allows Grant’s personality and mannerisms to take center stage in the festive feature.
Varying shots of her playing instruments, enjoying a drink, wrapped with Christmas lights, strutting with a candy cane, and even (somewhat ineptly) hula hooping infuse what could all too easily be holiday clichés with her own playfully odd style. Be sure to keep an eye out for the two sneaking little elf’s cameo at the video’s conclusion.
“Downtown Christmas Eve” showcases the comfort that we all hope to find ourselves amidst this time of year. Grant has gifted us a song equally fitting on the radio of years-gone-by as it is on any current playlist, thus giving it a timeless feel.
Jenn Grant’s new holiday album, Forever on Christmas Eve, will be released on November 27, 2020.