"Happy Xmas (War Is Over)" (Pure choral joy).
Very Cool Christmas is the perfect palate cleanser for anyone who loves the holiday spirit but wants a soundtrack with a bit more edge. Twenty years later, it remains one of the few Christmas albums that you can actually listen to from start to finish without reaching for the "skip" button. Very Cool Christmas (2004)
It features a perfect blend of legends and then-emerging indie stars. You get everything from The Raveonettes ’ fuzzy "The Christmas Song" to The Shins ’ iconic cover of "Wonderful Christmastime." "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)" (Pure choral joy)
Instead of being overly sentimental, the album leans into surf-rock, lo-fi, and upbeat pop-punk. It feels more like a snowy road trip or a late-night holiday party than a formal dinner. The Standouts: It features a perfect blend of legends and
"I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday" (A glam-rock essential).
If you’re tired of the same three holiday songs on repeat at the mall, it’s time to revisit the 2004 gem, Very Cool Christmas . Released during the height of the early-2000s indie boom, this compilation captures a specific kind of "cool" that most holiday albums shy away from.
The album (released in 2004) is a standout holiday compilation that swaps traditional, orchestral carols for a mix of indie rock, alternative, and power-pop vibes.