[2026] A Special Feature on Classic Western Songs to Listen to in December!

DecemberGyakie

Gyakie – December (Official Visualizer)

Gyakie is a new-generation Afro-fusion singer from Ghana.

The daughter of a renowned highlife musician, she began her music career in 2019 and gained international attention with Forever from her 2020 EP, Seed.

Released in April 2024, this track captures the liminal sway between endings and beginnings that the month of December symbolizes, carried by Afrobeats rhythms.

Her sweet, crystalline vocals delicately portray emotions that shift with the changing seasons.

Serving as a bridge to her debut album, After Midnight, slated for release in 2025, the song was produced following the success of her previous single, Rent Free.

It’s a highly recommended listen for those who want to bask in year-end sentiment or welcome December to the pulse of African rhythms.

Red ChristmasKylie Cantrall

Kylie Cantrall – Red Christmas (From “Descendants: The Rise of Red”)

Kylie Cantrall, who plays the lead role of Red in Disney’s Descendants: The Rise of Red, was born in 2005.

Growing up with a music-producer father and a dancer mother, she has been immersed in music and dance since childhood and has gained attention on YouTube and TikTok.

Released in September 2024, this track is a holiday song that carries over the film’s character and vibe.

Its glamorous, pop sound charmingly “turns a white Christmas party into a red Christmas.” It was performed at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in November 2024, generating major buzz.

It’s the perfect song for when you want to express your individuality at Christmas!

This DecemberRicky Montgomery

Ricky Montgomery – This December (Audio Only)

Singer-songwriter Ricky Montgomery from Los Angeles is known for viral hits like “Line Without a Hook” on TikTok, but the tracks on his 2016 debut album, Montgomery Ricky, delicately portray themes such as darkness and light, memory and loneliness.

The album charms with introspective indie-pop lyrics and catchy melodies, poignantly expressing glimpses of light within dark moments and the tremors of past relationships.

Interestingly, Montgomery himself has stated that it’s “not a Christmas song.” While borrowing the season’s atmosphere, the work instead turns toward the emotions and memories deep within the heart.

It’s a song that gently accompanies those who have experienced heartbreak or separation, or anyone seeking a quiet dialogue with themselves.

Cold DecemberRod Wave

Rod Wave – Cold December (Official Video)

Rod Wave, who has garnered attention as a pioneer of trap soul, rose to prominence after growing up in a challenging home environment, thanks to the breakout success of “Heart on Ice” from his 2019 mixtape PTSD.

The song appears on his August 2022 album Beautiful Mind, sampling a track by country artist Hank Williams Jr., and explores themes of heartbreak and loneliness.

Its introspective lyrics and soulful vocals create a brooding, melancholic atmosphere that, paired with the music video’s striking imagery of snowy mountains and wood-chopping scenes, mirrors the feelings of cold and solitude that deepen with the season.

Reflecting on past relationships with candid expressions of longing and inner conflict, this work offers solace—whether you’re spending the holidays quietly on your own or trying to move on from a painful goodbye.

Winter SongZara Larsson

Zara Larsson – Winter Song (Official Audio)

Zara Larsson is a singer-songwriter from Sweden.

She won a national audition show in 2008 and has since gained global support for her catchy melodies and powerful vocals.

Released in November 2023 from her holiday mini-EP “Honor the Light,” this track is a cover of the classic song by Ingrid Michaelson and Sara Bareilles.

It reimagines a serene, introspective pop ballad with Zara Larsson’s signature contemporary production, resulting in an emotionally rich piece themed around the winter season, solitude, and the light of hope.

The EP’s overarching concept—blending elements of Swedish traditional music—is also reflected in this song.

It’s a perfect pick when you want to look back on the year while wrapped in a calm, unhurried mood.