As we approach Thanksgiving, more and more singers are releasing new Christmas music to get ready for the holiday season. The nostalgic feeling of Christmas mixed with Sabrina Carpenter’s classic pop vibe is exactly what Carpenter’s new extended play (EP) titled “Fruitcake” entails.
Fruitcake was released on Friday, November 17 with six tracks titled “A Nonsense Christmas”, “buy me presents”, “santa doesn’t know you like i do”, “cindy lou who”, “is it new years yet?” and “white xmas”. By making references to popular nostalgic holiday figures like Cindy Lou Who and White Christmas, the contemporary pop album feels reminiscent of holiday tradition and classics.
Last year Carpenter released the holiday remix of her popular song Nonsense, titled “A Nonsense Christmas” which is the first track on Fruitcake. With the release of this EP she added four completely original songs in addition to her spin on the classic “White Christmas”. While pop Christmas music isn’t for everyone, Carpenter did a good job with her version of the classic “White Christmas” which is the perfect mix of holiday classics with her own musical style.
This EP is perfect for any holiday activity from baking cookies, putting up decorations or just relaxing. The playfulness of these songs perfectly wraps up the cheerfulness of the holiday season. The light beat carried throughout the tracks truly makes this a very playful and light ensemble of holiday songs.
Not only does Carpenter explore the love that is wrapped throughout the holiday season, but she also explores the loneliness that can come with the holidays. This is most prominent in the song “cindy lou who” which ties together the emptiness that the holiday season might bring. Despite the sadness of the song, it retains a peaceful undertone that reflective of the holiday season.
While this is very much a pop record, Carpenter retains some of the familiarness of traditional Christmas songs. These songs feel reminicent yet entirely new all at the same time due to the fact that they fit perfectly with Carpenter’s previous musical work and retain her musical style of playful pop songs.
The upbeat energy of tracks like “A Nonsense Christmas”, “buy me presents” and “santa doesn’t know you like i do” wraps up the electricity of excitement around the holiday season. However, the upbeat songs are balanced out with songs such as “white xmas” reflecting how the holiday season is the perfect time to slow down and enjoy time with friends and family.
Overall the tracks on “Fruitcake” are playful and fun with Carpenter’s unique songwriting that allows for her sense of humor to shine through, making her songs feel like a conversation with a friend. “Fruitcake” captures the up-beat feel of the holiday season and has great tracks for various holiday activities from making Christmas cookies to sitting around and relaxing.
