“But still I’m coming home to you.”
LCD Soundsystem, I love you, but you’re bringing me down. I mean, the title says it all: “Christmas Will Break Your Heart,” and they’ve certainly put forth a good argument. Naturally, it’s all very exciting that LCD Soundsystem has released their first new song in five years—and why shouldn’t we be excited to have them back? Especially considering the band broke up; it’s a Christmas miracle!
Except, in this song, Christmas miracles just don’t exist. In fact, Christmas is apparently means for heartbreak, isolation, depression, and anything else completely devoid of joy. But don’t let this deter you. Despite the unfathomable loneliness you may feel after hearing it, it’s well worth listening to because there’s nothing quite like getting to hear James Murphy’s vocals again, melodically crooning with heartfelt piano, those wonderful bass lines we know and love, and those resonant, steady drums. Not to mention the customary sleigh bells any self-respecting festive song has. According to the video’s description, the track personnel consists of James Murphy, Al Doyle, Pat Mahoney, Nancy Whang, and Tyler Pope—in other words, the band’s back together.
While it’s unlikely that this song will become a staple for elementary chorus recitals across America, “Christmas Will Break Your Heart” is a Christmas song for the ages: who hasn’t felt utterly down-in-the-dumps around the holidays? And let’s face it, Elvis’s “Blue Christmas” just wasn’t cutting it this year. With this, we can proudly cry into our glasses of eggnog without feeling the slightest of irony. Thank you, LCD Soundsystem, for this truly generous gift. It’s everything we could have wanted!*
*But we definitely wouldn’t object to a few more songs, or a new album, or a tour…
