Following on from the success of his last album, What Matters Most, singer-songwriter Ben Folds dishes up an early festive treat with Sleigher, a delightful assortment of original songs and reimagined Christmas classics.
Most of the album is a solo effort, Folds layering vocals and instruments to weave the tracks, however there are also some collaborations: Ross Garren, singer/actress Lindsey Kraft, and drummer/producer Joe Pisapia, amongst others – and, as a surprise guest, an AI for the eclectic track ‘Xmas Aye Eye’.
Releasing Sleigher in October may well give us time to reflect on what really matters in life, to get excited about everything the festive season brings and represents, to hang in there if things are tough. For many, Christmas is the tradition that never changes, a beacon in the storm of each turbulent year. It is the chance for an annual review of our lives and the lives of those around us; of how we have developed as individuals and as a society.
As Folds himself explains, “Christmas is constant, allowing you to take stock of what’s different, to understand who you are and all the ways you’ve grown and changed.”
Sleigher is full of humour and lyrics sung with a twinkle in the eye, however it is also laced with melancholy – which is apt, for though the festive season is a time of great happiness for many, the dark December nights can be particularly painful if you are lonely or suffering. Christmas has the ability to amplify emotions, especially the extreme ends of joy and sadness.
These are perfectly captured by two of the songs on the album: at one end, we have ‘Me and Maurice’, a poignant track reflecting on how quickly life can change direction, festive hope and melancholy vying for attention in the melody and accompaniment; at the other is ‘We Could Have This’, a gorgeous duet between Folds and Kraft, celebrating a couple’s first Christmas together, their exuberance, and all their hopes for the future.
There is something for everyone on Sleigher: the mesmerising piano rhythm of ‘Little Drummer Bolero’, infused with festive runs and chords; the struggle of putting on a brave face for family at Christmas whilst mourning a personal loss in ‘Sleepwalking Through Christmas’; childhood memories set to the jazzy, cheesy cheer of ‘Christmas Time Rhyme’; the introspective, meditative instrumental of ‘Waiting for Snow’; the pared back festive gem ‘The Christmas Song’ and toe-tapping ‘The Bell That Couldn’t Jingle’; and the surprising, club-anthem-like ‘Xmas Aye Eye’, which features digitally generated lines about snowflakes and artificial intelligence and is a nod to the fact that some people like to get a little wild at Christmas!
We finish on the laid-back ‘You Don’t Have To Be A Santa Claus’, a call for listeners to roll up their sleeves and help those who are alone or otherwise struggling this festive season. It reminds us that anyone can spread good cheer, comfort, and joy – and not just at Christmas.
So, pull on your festive boots and let Sleigher take you along for the ride – after all, it’s never really too early to get in the spirit.