Known for her outlandish antics and unusual appearance, Sia has finally emerged from Lady Gaga’s shadow. Unfortunately, Everyday Is Christmas represents a step backward. Clearly, her goal was to take Christmas up a notch, but she ends up with an impulsive and somewhat misguided take on the typical holiday album.
On one level, you can’t blame her for trying. Every artist, it seems, is cranking out a Christmas album these days in an effort to corner the market on Yuletide joy. Sia’s take on it is undeniably exuberant, but it ultimately feels overdone and thrown together. The album’s variety and playfulness might be a hit with children and teens, but adults will likely prefer something more classic and polished.
Some of the standout tracks on the album are “Puppies Are Forever,” “Candy Cane Lane” and “Ho, Ho, Ho.” Sia seems to have a fondness for short songs; the tracks here rarely exceed four minutes. “Everyday is Christmas” conjures up images of childhood, while “Candy Land” indulges in over-the-top Christmas cuteness. There is also an ode to the one Christmas wish that almost every child has sometime in their life, “Puppies Are Forever.” It’s a cute, bubbly, catchy and up-tempo tune that will certainly melt the hearts of children, but again might not necessarily connect with their parents.
Elsewhere, the sweet “Candy Cane Lane” conjures up memories of the childhood game we all loved, while it also works as a celebration of the colors of everyone’s favorite Christmas candy. It’s fun, upbeat and everything you want in a Christmas song. My only quibble is Sia’s voice, which sounds similar to the “The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don’t Be Late).” Finally, there’s “Ho, Ho, Ho,” the best track on the album and the one that could appeal to all ages – except for the naughty lyrics. (You might want to cover the kiddies ears!)
Nevertheless, this is a catchy, upbeat pop ditty which will be the one song from Everyday Is Christmas that you won’t be able to get out of your head. It’s great when you want a night out with the girls, and could have been a hit on the Bad Moms Christmas soundtrack. You’ll want to play “Ho, Ho, Ho” over and over again. It’s full of sass!
At its best, Everyday Is Christmas finds Sia utilizing her trademark infectious energy to deliver an album that is unique, quirky and puts a different spin on the usual hum-drum classics that permeate the airways at Christmas. In those moments, when Sia is not afraid to push the envelope, Everyday Is Christmas challenges the notion of what a holiday album should be. She just needed more of them.
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