I’m likely the only oddball on the planet that plays the mental game of ‘What Would an Original Christmas Song By X Sound Like?’. In the unlikely event that this very niche gameshow is ever greenlit, I don’t think we’d ever struggle too hard during the Matt Mays round and that is by no means a bad thing. His new holiday single, “Christmas Eve Day”, is unquestionably 100% Mays.
‘Tis the season for the adding of jingling bells and sentimental musings to our music and one of Halifax’s favourite sons has released “Christmas Eve Day” on which he manages to check off the holiday boxes whilst never sacrificing his own specific stylings. The only thing that would make this song stand out on any of Mays’ albums would be the bookending of children that elevates the familiar vibe and sense of home at the core of the track’s story.
Christmas songs have many a lane to choose from and musicians could easily bask in the joy of the seasons’ various available clichés; involve Saint Nicholas in all his bearded glory, feature familial festivities, be glass half empty, and represent the lonely folks during this time or those who dislike the season or you could just sneak the word Christmas into a song and try to Trojan horse that sucker onto seasonal playlists (talking to you, Joni Mitchell). Mays chose a vaguely familial route on his journey to Christmas Eve Day.
The song finds our protagonist travelling, longing, and wondering about his holiday plans. Those jingling bells back him as he ponders about his plans and whether or not he will get to see the object of his attention as the holiday hits. It’s a heartfelt sentiment that hits hard any year for those whose jobs and responsibilities may draw them away from loved ones but is even more striking on our second season of sorting out celebrating amidst the coronavirus.
The focus of the song finds Mays on a snowy highway as he travels yet torn away from the task at hand thinking of and ever-tethered to home. There is an urgency to his earnest vocals as they settle sweetly amidst the aforementioned jingling bell background. In a year that finds many families and loved one’s still in a state of uncertainty, Matt Mays makes good on my prediction that he would craft an honest and touching tune to warm us all up on these chilled winter nights.