While other artists are celebrating the holiday season by releasing a crushing metal cover of “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” or a dance-pop version of “Sleigh Ride”, Speedy Ortiz frontwoman Sadie Deupuis has written her very own yuletide jingle. “X Actually (demo)” isn’t exactly in the grand tradition of “Jingle Bell Rock” or “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus”; instead, it’s more of Speedy Ortiz’s jangly, ’90s-centric alt-rock, with a clear thread of Breeders-esque quirkiness (which makes sense given the two bands recently toured together.) But with just enough “fa la la’s” to classify it as a pseudo-carol, it’s the perfect soundtrack for sitting in your room and vegging out from all that holly jolly family bonding time. Stream and/or download below.
On February 11th, Speedy Ortiz will release the Real Hair EP, the follow-up to their excellent full-length debut, Major Arcana. Listen to lead single “Everything’s Bigger” here.
