Brittany Kennell's cowboy Christmas ditty, and 5 more new holiday songs you need to hear

Songs you need to hear is CBC Music's weekly list of hot new Canadian tracks.

This week is dedicated to holiday music. Scroll down to find out what new songs our producers have on repeat. 

'Cowboy Santa,' Brittany Kennell

It feels fitting to cap off the year of yeehaw with a new country Christmas anthem from Montreal's Brittany Kennell. On "Cowboy Santa," Kennell reimagines Saint Nick as a jolly man sporting Lucchese boots and riding in a Silverado instead of a reindeer sleigh. "I left the whiskey out by the fire/ It was gone by the morning," she sings in the song's opening moments, setting a familiar scene, but with a fun twist. Just as Kennell sings on the track, silver bells are replaced by the warm lilt of a steel guitar. And just like a sip of the late-night drink set out for Santa, "Cowboy Santa" will go down so smoothly — it'll make you want more. Kennell, who also flexes her production skills for the first time here, has created a wonderful new addition to your annual playlist. — Melody Lau 

'The Sound of Christmas,' William Prince

Christmas is peak nostalgia time, and the memories we hold on to from childhood often form the bedrock of our annual cheer. William Prince taps into this big time on "The Sound of Christmas" as he shares vignettes from his own Christmas memories, including a turbulent, chaotic kitchen ("Mama's in the kitchen yellin' get out the way") and all the idiosyncratic personalities coming together for the holidays. The song is part of a three-song EP that marks Prince's first foray into the world of holiday music and was produced by fellow Winnipeg artist Boy Golden. It has an upbeat swing that's new for Prince, but one he takes in phenomenal stride. As he highlights in the chorus, the frantic energy of this time of year can be a headache, but it's also sweetly endearing to take time out of our busy lives to focus on coming together with the people we love: "One day we're gonna miss this/ Sweet sound of Christmas." — Kelsey Adams

'Light the Light,' Tim Baker

The best Christmas gift this year was learning that one of the architects behind Hey Rosetta!'s incomparable "Carry Me Home" would be releasing an entire holiday album — and Tim Baker did not disappoint. Full Rainbow of Light is a full-body hug in record form, from a gorgeous piano ballad filled with that particular December longing ("It's Tonight") to a '60s folk sing-along ("Christmas Rose") to three tonally different — and delightful — Tibb's Eve celebrations ("Saint Tibb's Suite" I to III). But none shine as bright as "Light the Light," the all-hands-on-deck, friends-and-family anthem that will have you lovingly yelling its chorus at the office Christmas party (as depicted in the hilariously Office-esque music video, directed by Jordan Canning and featuring DJ T-Bone, a.k.a Tim Baker). "My friends are all over [this record]," Baker said via press release. "To say it's 'of my home' is funny 'cause so much of it was actually recorded in my literal living room, pausing when the snowplows ground past, or the wind got too loud in the chimneys." As you gather 'round for the holidays, whatever that looks like for you, make sure Full Rainbow of Light is on your must-have list.— Holly Gordon

'Merry Nothin',' Jessie Reyez

As many Hallmark movies would have you believe, Christmas is one of the worst times to go through a breakup. Someone who has experienced this firsthand is Jessie Reyez, who unleashes her anger at an ex in on her fiery song "Merry Nothin'." It starts off with a first verse that leans into sadness —"'Cause early December, we finally broke up/ But now Christmas feels just like a coffin" — before quickly transforming into a heated banger. On the chorus she belts out, "Santa Claus ain't real/ He's fake just like most people," painting a less-than-jolly image of her ex. Despite the Christmas blues, Reyez maintains her hot-tempered spunk all the way through the track and after enough listens, you might just be convinced to do a rage-induced holiday dumping of your own. — Natalie Harmsen

'Chill Christmas (With You),' Maya Malkin

Toronto pop singer Maya Malkin is no stranger to a Christmas tune. In previous years she's released a cover of Allen Story, Anna Gordy Gaye and George Gordy's "What Christmas Means to Me" and an original, "I Hope You Have a Horrible Christmas." This year, she's back with a shimmering indie pop number that illustrates all the little things she loves about the season. "Chill Christmas (With You)" was inspired by "the feeling I get when I'm enjoying the holidays with my family," she shared in a press release. The Grinch playing on loop, apple cider simmering on the stove, silk robes and Chardonnay and staying warm by the fireplace are all traditions that Malkin treasures. An ethereal groove and glittering chimes give "Chill Christmas" a much more subdued vibe than the typical Christmas song, making it a perfect pick for the more laidback cheermeisters among us. — KA

'I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm,' Breagh Isabel

There's nothing better than the first lick of flame catching the kindling in the chimney as a winter storm swells outside, snow blowing from the trees and wind rattling the whole cabin as you climb under a blanket with the one you love to leave the world outside where it belongs. Halifax's Breagh Isabel conveys a dreamy, ice-melting intimacy in her cover of Irving Berlin's classic, "I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm" that will heat up every holiday playlist.  — Andrea Warner

To hear more about these standout songs, tune in to Here and Now with Ramraajh Sharvendiran every Wednesday afternoon (in Toronto) available via CBC Listen.