Ready or not, the holiday season is fully upon us. If you couldn’t tell by the merchandise and decorations that have begun lining store aisles, then musical faves like Brandy, Adam Blackstone & KeKe Palmer, Samara Joy and, of course, the Queen of Christmas Mariah Carey, are here to let us know ’tis the season for holiday music. Now Brooklyn-based band Phony Ppl are hoping to sprinkle a little holiday cheer in your ears with their take on the classic tune “Christmastime Is Here.”
Known for their ability to meld hip-hop, R&B, pop, funk and rock, Phony Ppl sticks fairly close to the 1965 Vince Guaraldi original on the song’s first half. The group maintains the same jazzy tenderness as its predecessor. Elbee Thrie’s youthful tenor warmly caresses the lyrics before leaning more into the song’s jazz origins by scatting followed by a whistle solo. The music itself gets injected with a more bluesy vibe thanks to the guitar solo that replaces the piano of the original.
This isn’t the first time the band has tried their hand at a classic. Earlier this year, they put their spin on Norah Jones’s GRAMMY-winning song “Don’t Know Why” for the Recording Academy’s Reimagined series. Though the two covers are the only new releases fans have gotten since 2022’s Euphonyus, Phony Ppl kept busy throughout 2023 by hitting the road in support of the album. With only one date left in their touring schedule, we can only hope the guys will be hitting the studio again soon.
Until that time, we can enjoy this redux of a holiday standard this Christmas and beyond. Listen and watch Phony Ppl’s quaint visual snow globe below. You can also get into the holiday spirit by copping one of their “Christmastime Is Here” sweatshirts available on their website.
