A Letter Written in Tinsel and Joy
Let me start with a confession: I love Christmas music. Unironically. Enthusiastically. Excessively. I once worked in a mall and spent entire holiday seasons marinating in 24/7 Christmas playlists—and somehow came out wanting more. So when Natalie Jane dropped her EP “Wishlist,” a blend of holiday classics and fresh originals, I practically sprinted toward it like it was the last tin of shortbread on Earth.
Good news: this EP absolutely sleighs.
Re-Imagining the Classics—With No Eggnog Watering-Down
Holiday covers can be risky. Too faithful, and you’re stuck with a lukewarm imitation. Too experimental, and Grandma starts sending strongly worded texts. Natalie Jane sidesteps the entire danger zone by putting her own stamp on beloved standards—most notably “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” and “Carol of the Bells.”
The latter deserves special praise: “Carol of the Bells” is a stunning showcase of Natalie’s vocal power. It doesn’t overcomplicate the arrangement; instead, it gives her voice all the space it needs to soar, shimmer, and command attention. These aren’t tepid retreads. These are genuinely beautiful new versions, built around her emotional clarity and a knack for melodic glow. She keeps the nostalgic warmth intact while adding just enough sparkle to make you grin like you’ve just plugged in the Christmas lights for the first time.
“Secret Santa” – The Instant Classic We Didn’t Know We Needed
Let’s talk about the scene-stealer: “Secret Santa.”
This one is smooth. Sleek beat, buttery grooves, and vocals so clean you could wrap presents on them. It showcases Natalie Jane’s range, control, and absolute command as a vocalist—this is the kind of performance you point to if anyone ever asks, “So what makes her special?”
Honestly? “Secret Santa” should be an instant holiday classic. Add it to playlists now. Force your friends to listen. Play it at parties. Loop it while you decorate. Let it soundtrack your questionable seasonal budgeting decisions. It can handle all of it.
Finding New Light in Familiar Snowfall
The EP flows beautifully between the songs you’ve known forever and the ones you’ll swear you’ve known forever by the time the second chorus hits. Even the originals – instant classic “Secret Santa”, the soft-and-slow “Can We Fall In Love on Christmas Eve”, and the punchy, perfect closer “Wishlist” – sound like they were wrapped up with a bow decades ago. There’s a cohesion, a shimmer, a gentle humor, and a sense of genuine affection for the season that makes the listening experience feel like hot chocolate for the soul (with extra marshmallows).
Final Verdict – 5/5, No Notes, More Mistletoe
With “Wishlist,” Natalie Jane offers a joyful, polished, totally replayable entry into the holiday canon. It’s festive without being syrupy, modern without losing the timeless charm, and full of vocal performances that stick with you like glitter you’ll still find on your floor in March.
Easily a 5/5.
And yes—I’ll be playing it around the clock. Mall-worker instincts die hard.
