O, Little Stars

In the pantheon of quirky Christmas albums, Keiron Phelan and David Sheppard's "O Little Stars" stands out like a sore thumb. This duo, known for their off-kilter approach to music, have taken the classic festive tunes and given them a psychedelic twist that will leave you scratching your head and tapping your feet at the same time. The opening track, "Jingle Bells (But make it spooky)", sets the tone for the album with its eerie synth drones and distorted sleigh bells. It's a bold move, but one that pays off as the track builds to a crescendo of fuzzy guitars and whispered vocals that wouldn't be out of place in a David Lynch movie. Elsewhere on the album, Phelan and Sheppard weave their magic on classics like "Silent Night" (reimagined as a shoegaze epic) and "O Holy Night" (given a lo-fi indie makeover). The result is a collection of songs that is both familiar and yet totally unexpected. But perhaps the standout track on "O Little Stars" is the duo's take on "All I Want For Christmas Is You". By stripping back the Mariah Carey hit to its bare bones and adding a layer of dreamy synths, Phelan and Sheppard have created a version that is simultaneously heartbreaking and beautiful. So, if you're looking for a Christmas album that will make you question everything you thought you knew about the holiday season, look no further than "O Little Stars" by Keiron Phelan and David Sheppard. Just make sure you have an open mind (and maybe a glass of mulled wine) before hitting play.