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At 19 days away, here are 19 tracks to help relax. Volume 2 has a myriad of sounds: acoustic solo, ethereal vocals, smooth synths, bossa-infused, Celtic-inspired, even some chillout lounge. There's something for everyone to find their inner peace on earth in this hectic time.
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Click on the icon to link to the playlist on Apple Music or Spotify.
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COMMENTARY
As always, plenty of David Arkenstone to be found on this mix, but many different styles—you would think that with so many Christmas albums out there, he’d start to repeat himself. While there are similarities, each album has a unique sound. Who knew that the guy responsible for the soaring “Deck the Halls” from Volume 1, was also capable of chill lounge version of “O Come All Ye Faithful” that—against all heavenly reason—actually works.
I didn’t think there could be a good, non-frantic recording of “All I Want for Christmas Is You” until I stumbled across Michael Forster’s recording several years ago. I tried to think of other strong openers for the playlist, but I chose this because it serves as a little dare—daring you, the listener, to dismiss such a gorgeous rendition just because it departs so drastically from the Mariah version that we all know and love.
You’ll notice that like David Arkenstone’s ubiquity, there are quite a few tracks from Gary Prim and David Combs. Growing up, we would listen to Gary Prim cassette tapes to fall asleep. His simple, elegant version of “God Rest Ye Gentlemen” brings me almost immediate tranquility as that is what I frequently hear as I put my head on my pillow to sleep.
Kaskade almost didn’t make the cut. “Christmas Is Here” is not a mislabeled Peanuts ballad, but rather a haunting, club version of "Carol of the Bells” … Whatever creepy vibes the singers voice gives off are not sinister enough to keep it from finding its relaxing, albeit interesting, groove in the mix.
I didn’t think there could be a good, non-frantic recording of “All I Want for Christmas Is You” until I stumbled across Michael Forster’s recording several years ago. I tried to think of other strong openers for the playlist, but I chose this because it serves as a little dare—daring you, the listener, to dismiss such a gorgeous rendition just because it departs so drastically from the Mariah version that we all know and love.
You’ll notice that like David Arkenstone’s ubiquity, there are quite a few tracks from Gary Prim and David Combs. Growing up, we would listen to Gary Prim cassette tapes to fall asleep. His simple, elegant version of “God Rest Ye Gentlemen” brings me almost immediate tranquility as that is what I frequently hear as I put my head on my pillow to sleep.
Kaskade almost didn’t make the cut. “Christmas Is Here” is not a mislabeled Peanuts ballad, but rather a haunting, club version of "Carol of the Bells” … Whatever creepy vibes the singers voice gives off are not sinister enough to keep it from finding its relaxing, albeit interesting, groove in the mix.
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