Music news
Deck the Halls! Girls Aloud Officially Releases 'Christmas Round At Ours'

Deck the Halls! Girls Aloud Officially Releases 'Christmas Round At Ours'

      Girls Aloud has officially released their fan-favorite festive project, ‘Christmas ‘Round At Ours.’

      Selection boxes are showing up in supermarkets, and Mariah Carey is getting ready to warm up her voice – once Halloween is over, the Christmas season will kick into high gear.

      Girls Aloud is ahead of the curve. The legendary girl group is giving their Advent release ‘Christmas ‘Round At Ours’ a complete and proper launch.

      This beloved Christmas album was originally offered only as a bonus disc with the limited edition of their 2005 album ‘Chemistry.’

      Original versions of the disc are in great demand, and now the long-awaited moment has arrived – O Come All Ye Faithful, the project is finally available for streaming.

      Currently available for streaming and download, ‘Christmas ‘Round At Ours’ will be released on CD and red vinyl starting November 14th. You can pre-order here: https://girlsaloud.lnk.to/ChristmasRoundAtOurs

      The project features four timeless festive covers along with four original Christmas songs by Girls Aloud, crafted by the production team Xenomania under the aliases S. Claws and Randy Snaps.

      Take a look at the album below, then read the comments from the girls…

      Kimberley shares: “As we were putting the final touches on what would become our Chemistry album, our producer Brian Higgins had a last-minute idea. Since the album was set to release in December, he suggested we record some bonus Christmas tracks. Our record label loved the concept and proposed that we create a whole Christmas album, which could be packaged with the main album as a limited edition deluxe format.”

      Nicola reflects: “We chose to record four classic Christmas covers, and the Xenomania team was set to write four brand-new original Girls Aloud Christmas songs. The only challenge was time. We had one week to write the new songs and record everything. Everyone got into a festive frenzy. While we were recording the Christmas covers at the Xenomania studio (we selected Jingle Bell Rock because of its inclusion in Mean Girls), Miranda Cooper and Lisa Cowling dedicated a weekend in Devon to write the lyrics for the four new Christmas songs.”

      Cheryl comments: “The new songs were all very kitschy and sometimes a bit silly. The album was always intended to be called Christmas ‘Round At Ours – that’s why the Christmas TV ad was themed ‘At Home with Girls Aloud,’ but it was decided that naming it separately would be confusing since it would only ever be available as part of the Chemistry album. Until now, that is.”

      Nadine adds: “The day we had the photoshoot for the front cover was the same day we were photographed for the main Chemistry cover. Walking into the photo studio felt like stepping onto a movie set – the kitchen scene featured on the album cover was a built set and it looked stunning, reminiscent of a 1950s Hollywood film. If someone had told us that many years later the selected image from that day would be honored by the National Portrait Gallery (which it was in Christmas 2023), we would have never believed it!”

Deck the Halls! Girls Aloud Officially Releases 'Christmas Round At Ours'

Other articles

West London R&B talents Two Tone present themselves with the release of 'Jordans.'

West London R&B talents Two Tone present themselves with the release of 'Jordans.'

West London R&B talents Two Tone have released their latest single, 'Jordans'. The duo, consisting of best friends Ruby and Dara, are both 19 years old and have dedicated their time to

Bibi Club Reveals Upcoming Album 'Amaro'

Bibi Club Reveals Upcoming Album 'Amaro'

The Canadian project Bibi Club is set to release their new album 'Amaro' next year. The band appears to be feeling inspired, having taken the stage last month at the Polaris.

In Wales, the passage of the seasons is often signified by its music festivals. This past summer featured events like Green Man, the National Eisteddfod, and Tafwyl, among others. As autumn arrives, it's time for Sŵn. This weekend in October, that’s the topic of conversation, with Cardiff's music venues buzzing with talent.

Starting at Womanby Street, a key location for the festival since 2007, we find AKA performing their first gig as a band on the downstairs stage of Clwb Ifor Bach, creating a notably special atmosphere. With synths, samples, a megaphone, and the impressive voice of former Mysterines guitarist Callum Thompson, they evoke the spirit of Gorillaz's debut album mixed with the edge of Fat White Family. They lack social media presence and music releases, making their strong debut embody the essence of Sŵn—it's a weekend dedicated to uncovering music that you probably haven't encountered before.

Situated beneath Cardiff market on St Mary’s Street, Boho Club is one of the festival's new venues. Typically an R&B cocktail bar, it’s currently hosting the Welsh-language experimental group Tai Haf Heb Drigolyn. The space is packed with people trying to see the performance, and at one moment, about six musicians are crammed into what looks like a cave. Regardless, the performance leaves us amazed. Meanwhile, at Tiny Rebel, London artist Manga Saint Hilare blends a grime set with humorous commentary: “You all enjoy Welsh cakes; they’re amazing, right? I had one from the market. I usually get mine from M&S, but they just aren't as good.”

This weekend, Cardiff's indoor market has been transformed for the wider Cardiff Music City Festival. The Grade II listed Victorian venue features a lineup of DJs and new bilingual broadcasters Radio Sudd amidst the usual food vendors. Neon Black, the lighting designers who have previously worked on the Sphere in Las Vegas, have illuminated the space for late-night enjoyment. This is the inaugural night market for Sŵn, which has enhanced the festival’s connection to Cardiff and proved to be a valuable addition.

Next, Fuel hosts Tooth, confirming Sŵn's early acknowledgment of grunge's revival. This London band's take on Midwestern emo shines through in their song ‘The Age of Innocence,’ reminiscent of the Smashing Pumpkins. Their young age reflects their embrace of guitar music—missing the Britpop nostalgia of the 2010s, they connect more with America's ‘80s Sonic Youth and Dinosaur Jr.

Similar to Brighton's Great Escape and Rotterdam's Left of the Dial, inner-city festivals like Sŵn serve as excellent indicators of the current music scene. KEO’s Friday set at Clwb contributes to the grunge revival conversation, with frontman Finn Keogh's vocals standing out. They share similarities with Wunderhorse, and having a guitar tech for a 250-capacity gig is a nice touch.

Later, guitars and grunge give way to four synths and acid-house techno, featuring Adult DVD. Their debut performance in Cardiff is outstanding, with ‘Dogs In The Sun’ stirring the audience into a frenzy under strobe lights. Much of post-punk is shifting toward an electronic sound—this subgenre is notably trending throughout Sŵn. At Tiny Rebel, A Thousand Mad Things delivers a dark wave performance, enriched by William Barradale’s vocals—think of Nothing But Thieves’ Conor Mason meeting Boy Harsher, creating an intriguing and enjoyable mix.

St John’s Church stands out as the most stunning new venue for Sŵn this year, with Gruff Rhys kicking off two days of performances there. It wouldn't be a Welsh festival without the Super Furries frontman. A priest greets attendees at the entrance, setting the performance's tone, which almost didn’t happen. Rhys humorously shares, “I went to Beauty Nails Canton for an emergency thumbnail. You can see it’s glossier than the others.” He goes on to perform a series of softer solo tracks over the same drum-machine rhythm at varying tempos, and his candidness entertains the audience.

At Clwb, folk-guitar band Mên-an-Tol opens with a Celtic-influenced number that aligns with their band name—embracing the mandolin as a significant part of the first song. However, their subsequent Oasis-like sound feels less authentic. Expectations were also high for green star at The Canopi (AKA Sustainable Studios), a smaller addition to Sŵn with a 100-capacity. While there are promising elements in their performance, it’s challenging to tell if the vocals are too quiet or if they lack interest. The energy picks back up with Jessica Winter upstairs at Clwb, showcasing the current strength of synth-driven music. Her hyper-pop track ‘Big Star’ resonates with a beat reminiscent of Robbie Williams’ ‘Rock DJ.’

On Saturday at St John’s Church, Slate

In Wales, the passage of the seasons is often signified by its music festivals. This past summer featured events like Green Man, the National Eisteddfod, and Tafwyl, among others. As autumn arrives, it's time for Sŵn. This weekend in October, that’s the topic of conversation, with Cardiff's music venues buzzing with talent. Starting at Womanby Street, a key location for the festival since 2007, we find AKA performing their first gig as a band on the downstairs stage of Clwb Ifor Bach, creating a notably special atmosphere. With synths, samples, a megaphone, and the impressive voice of former Mysterines guitarist Callum Thompson, they evoke the spirit of Gorillaz's debut album mixed with the edge of Fat White Family. They lack social media presence and music releases, making their strong debut embody the essence of Sŵn—it's a weekend dedicated to uncovering music that you probably haven't encountered before. Situated beneath Cardiff market on St Mary’s Street, Boho Club is one of the festival's new venues. Typically an R&B cocktail bar, it’s currently hosting the Welsh-language experimental group Tai Haf Heb Drigolyn. The space is packed with people trying to see the performance, and at one moment, about six musicians are crammed into what looks like a cave. Regardless, the performance leaves us amazed. Meanwhile, at Tiny Rebel, London artist Manga Saint Hilare blends a grime set with humorous commentary: “You all enjoy Welsh cakes; they’re amazing, right? I had one from the market. I usually get mine from M&S, but they just aren't as good.” This weekend, Cardiff's indoor market has been transformed for the wider Cardiff Music City Festival. The Grade II listed Victorian venue features a lineup of DJs and new bilingual broadcasters Radio Sudd amidst the usual food vendors. Neon Black, the lighting designers who have previously worked on the Sphere in Las Vegas, have illuminated the space for late-night enjoyment. This is the inaugural night market for Sŵn, which has enhanced the festival’s connection to Cardiff and proved to be a valuable addition. Next, Fuel hosts Tooth, confirming Sŵn's early acknowledgment of grunge's revival. This London band's take on Midwestern emo shines through in their song ‘The Age of Innocence,’ reminiscent of the Smashing Pumpkins. Their young age reflects their embrace of guitar music—missing the Britpop nostalgia of the 2010s, they connect more with America's ‘80s Sonic Youth and Dinosaur Jr. Similar to Brighton's Great Escape and Rotterdam's Left of the Dial, inner-city festivals like Sŵn serve as excellent indicators of the current music scene. KEO’s Friday set at Clwb contributes to the grunge revival conversation, with frontman Finn Keogh's vocals standing out. They share similarities with Wunderhorse, and having a guitar tech for a 250-capacity gig is a nice touch. Later, guitars and grunge give way to four synths and acid-house techno, featuring Adult DVD. Their debut performance in Cardiff is outstanding, with ‘Dogs In The Sun’ stirring the audience into a frenzy under strobe lights. Much of post-punk is shifting toward an electronic sound—this subgenre is notably trending throughout Sŵn. At Tiny Rebel, A Thousand Mad Things delivers a dark wave performance, enriched by William Barradale’s vocals—think of Nothing But Thieves’ Conor Mason meeting Boy Harsher, creating an intriguing and enjoyable mix. St John’s Church stands out as the most stunning new venue for Sŵn this year, with Gruff Rhys kicking off two days of performances there. It wouldn't be a Welsh festival without the Super Furries frontman. A priest greets attendees at the entrance, setting the performance's tone, which almost didn’t happen. Rhys humorously shares, “I went to Beauty Nails Canton for an emergency thumbnail. You can see it’s glossier than the others.” He goes on to perform a series of softer solo tracks over the same drum-machine rhythm at varying tempos, and his candidness entertains the audience. At Clwb, folk-guitar band Mên-an-Tol opens with a Celtic-influenced number that aligns with their band name—embracing the mandolin as a significant part of the first song. However, their subsequent Oasis-like sound feels less authentic. Expectations were also high for green star at The Canopi (AKA Sustainable Studios), a smaller addition to Sŵn with a 100-capacity. While there are promising elements in their performance, it’s challenging to tell if the vocals are too quiet or if they lack interest. The energy picks back up with Jessica Winter upstairs at Clwb, showcasing the current strength of synth-driven music. Her hyper-pop track ‘Big Star’ resonates with a beat reminiscent of Robbie Williams’ ‘Rock DJ.’ On Saturday at St John’s Church, Slate

Shoegaze icons My Bloody Valentine have announced the complete lineup of supporting acts for their forthcoming headline performances. The band is set to hit the road again later this year.

Ego Ella May Releases Impactful New Track 'We're Not Free'

Ego Ella May Releases Impactful New Track 'We're Not Free'

Ego Ella May makes a comeback with her impactful new track 'We're Not Free'. Released now, this single sees the South London singer expressing her own emotions regarding the

Sekou Unveils New Mixtape ‘In A World We Don’t Belong Pt. 1’

Sekou Unveils New Mixtape ‘In A World We Don’t Belong Pt. 1’

UK singer Sekou has announced his upcoming mixtape titled 'In A World We Don't Belong Pt. 1'. The songwriter has secured a spot in the BBC Sound Of 2024 poll, and

Morgan Hislop’s ‘Sitting By The Phone’ Exudes a Relaxed Vibe.

Morgan Hislop’s ‘Sitting By The Phone’ Exudes a Relaxed Vibe.

London-based artist Morgan Hislop has released a new single titled 'Sitting By The Phone'. He is widely recognized as a graphic designer and visual artist.

Deck the Halls! Girls Aloud Officially Releases 'Christmas Round At Ours'

Girls Aloud have officially released their beloved holiday project 'Christmas 'Round At Ours'. Selection boxes are now showing up in supermarkets.