Here over at XLR8R HQ, we’re usually extremely hesitant to listen to anything titled “Christmas album” because, well, most Christmas music is pretty damn shitty. However, this album from London-based producer Banjo or Freakout caught our attention with its take on 10 Christmas standards, all tastefully reinterpreted into sparkling, melodic electronics. Yes, all the classics are here from “Oh Holy Night” to “White Christmas” and even “Frosty the Snowman” (seriously), enabling you to throw away whatever Mannheim Steamroller album is playing at your relative’s house during the holidays and hit them with melancholy reimaginings of some songs that we probably would have left for dead otherwise. Perhaps Banjo or Freakout is building up some goodwill with Santa so that he’ll receive a new moniker in his stocking, or maybe he’s just really into Christmas. Either way, we appreciate the chance to actually enjoy some holiday music for once. You can download the album for free over at Banjo or Freakout’s Bandcamp.