Katye Kellye & The Interruption “It Simply Isn't Christmas...”

Although it’s only November, we have decided that Katye Kellye & The Interruption’s “It Simply Isn’t Christmas…” is going to be our favourite Christmas song this year. Unlike any of those bell-jingling, heavily gravy-laced holiday songs, Katye Kellye brings her biting humour and fantastic dark twist to the end of year holidays. “It Simply Isn’t Christmas…” isn’t just a holiday song released two months early. It delves into the relatable depression and anxiety that has already began to emerge as we move fast into the holiday season.

Merry Christmas is only for the fortunate. There are so many others who don’t share that experience. “It Simply Isn’t Christmas…” is a song to keep them warm. The lyrics revolve around a grumpy individual, who is spending the Christmas divorced and alone. Without loved ones to be with, the holidays are not the same anymore. Through the track, he expresses his bitterness and anger, loneliness and sadness with a speck of humour through honest yet hard-hitting lyrics.

Although the track bears a dark and moody tone in the lyrics, the sonics are bright and loud. Coiled in soft jingle bells and tuned up to vibrant distortion, infectious rock rhythms and fierce guitar strumming turn up the volume in drastic contrast. The lowest of low and the highest of high create a disaffected, I’m-fine-but-not-fine distance at core of the adult experience. Katye Kelley & The Interruption speak to all your frustration and dissatisfaction with a bang. The explosive rhythms are for all the headbanger to forget the rest of the world.

“It Simply Isn’t Christmas…” feels almost slightly anti-Christmas at certain moments, though only a hint. More importantly, the song brings up that rebellious, youthful energy that doesn’t seem to die out in time. Even though life has worn us down, there’s a part of us that’s always young and free.