Lojinx - British Independent Record Label

Ten strummers strumming, three drummers drumming and a dash of kitsch in a major key.

Phil Thornalley has always been a fan of Christmas, and lucky enough to have enjoyed the childhood family gatherings, “I had a million uncles and aunts, most of whom smoked cigs or made delicious trifles”.

Like most songwriters, Thornalley has regularly rejoiced in capturing the Christmas magic by the recognised music industry tradition of choosing the hottest day in august to set the mood.

Songwriting pal Mads Hauge (his co-writer on Pixie Lott number one “Mama Do” and “Boys and Girls” and the top five christmas tune “Cry me out”) got together to attempt an ascent on the Christmas charts with the opening gambit “How would you like to write the next Christmas number one?”.

So here we are – Christmas Lights – with lyrics playing on the darker side of Christmas, beyond the mince pies, the indulgences and the ritually enforced gaiety. Exploring the duality of the cash-drain and hangovers of most family festive get-togethers, whilst the tree lights innocently sparkle in the corner.

“Following a star with my credit card, tryin’ to buy a heart or two”

And what’s a Christmas record without being overcooked in the Phil Spector oven? All the cliches: jingle bells, ten guitar players, ascending strings, glockenspiel & the kitchen sink.

The Christmas Lights EP takes one song from the forthcoming album – of which more news soon – but the 3 other tracks are exclusive to the festive EP.

We Lived Like Kings rocks out while sustaining the Christmas theme, though Thornalley admits “I have no idea what the lyrics ‘we were like three wise men with a pocketful of zen’ is about”

Holy Cow, whilst referring to a bovine member of the nativity scene, is in fact a timely protest song disguised in a Santa hat. Maybe the lyrics ‘you made the rules, now you break them’ is a clue.

Not Now Carol, though mentioning another Christmas cliché, is in fact about a friendly, but slightly rogue, neighbour “someone who turns up at inopportune moments. Based on an anecdote by co-writer Mads Hague, about his own street”.

Christmas lights, a king, a cow and a carol.

Festive indeed.

Phil Thornalley’s “Christmas Lights” EP is out now, accompanied by a slightly sinister animated AI-driven lyric video.