Collin Derrick may call himself “wildly uncool,” but his knack for writing infectious, indie pop gems makes him one of the most refreshingly original voices in the genre.
With his latest single “Holiday Hallelujah” Derrick delivers a festive anthem that’s as jubilant as it is irreverent, cementing his place as a holiday music maverick.
The song, which is the focal piece of his EP “Christmas, Vol. 2″, is a jubilant, toe-tapping celebration of the season. From the first few bars Derrick’s flair for production shines. Jangly guitars, upright bass, and the requisite shimmer of sleigh bells come together in a gloriously kitschy soundscape that feels like a love letter to classic Christmas nostalgia.
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It’s a delicate balance of earnest holiday cheer and winking self-awareness, reminiscent of A Christmas Story’s offbeat warmth or the tongue-in-cheek charm of Elf.
The refrain of “Holiday Hallelujah” practically begs you to belt it out alongside your family while trimming the tree. And the best part? Derrick did it all himself. From writing and recording to mixing and mastering!
Fans of Derrick’s earlier work, whether it’s his quirky viral hit “LaCroix LaCroix” or his shimmering synth-pop single “You’re Magic”, will recognize the playfulness and polish that have become his signature.
But “Holiday Hallelujah” is a step forward, bringing in elements of his past (he revisited his drum kit after years away and taught himself upright bass for the track) with a reverence for the holiday traditions he’s crafted with his wife.
This isn’t Derrick’s first foray into seasonal music. His original holiday tunes, which began as personal gifts to his wife, have blossomed into the Christmas series, a collection of songs that embody the joy, nostalgia, and occasional absurdity of the season. With Christmas, Vol. 2, he expands on that tradition, blending heartfelt sentimentality with a modern indie pop twist.
“Holiday Hallelujah” captures the magic of the holidays in all its contradictory glory – joyful, chaotic, sentimental, and a little silly. Whether you’re sipping hot cocoa by the fire or dancing around the kitchen in fuzzy socks, this track is guaranteed to bring a smile to your face.
Collin Derrick’s Christmas, Vol. 2 is streaming now on all major platforms, and “Holiday Hallelujah” deserves a spot on every holiday playlist.
Find more festive updates from Collin on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube Music.
