
Aladean Kheroufi references the hits in more ways than one on "Holiday Cheer"
Edmonton by way of Algeria artist Aladean Kheroufi hates Christmas… mostly. That's why he stuffed his seasonal single "Holiday Cheer" with as many Christmas song references as possible, of course.
“All the unnecessary stress it brings to people’s lives I find rather pointless," says Aladean Kheroufi of Yuletide. "Plus I was raised Muslim. But still I was born and raised in the west so of course there’s no escaping the cruel, cold grip of Kris Kringle." It might be somewhat of a surprise, therefore, that he turned his talents to recording a Christmas tune.
"Holiday Cheer" takes influence from an unusual source: Stephen Stills’ '80s cover of Neil Young’s “Only Love Can Break Your Heart”. As Kheroufi explains, “It’s got a great '80s back and forth waddle that had me hypnotized." He then set about trying to fit in as many other Christmas song titles as possible, including one of the true greats, Tom Waits' not-really-festive-in-any-way "Christmas Card From a Hooker in Minneapolis".
After years of acting as producer, arranger and sideman in various bands in Edmonton and Victoria, Kheroufi took himself to NYC to soak in the city, the culture and the soul. On his return to Canada he set about carving out music on his own terms, fusing today's modern condition and passing it through a soulful filter with a healthy respect for the past. He released a single, “Maybe She’d Stay”, in June and followed it with the Beauty Beyond Grief EP in July.
- Fiona Apple unveils cover of Neil Young’s "Heart of Gold"
- George FitzGerald remixes Ólafur Arnalds and Loreen’s "In The Sound of Breathing"
- The Beths sign to ANTI- and release new single, "Metal"
- Muireann Bradley interprets "I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry" by Hank Williams
- Charli XCX reveals she is finding it "really hard to let go of Brat"
- Lana Del Rey debuts new song referencing Morgan Wallen: "I guess kissing me kind of went to his head"
- Nilüfer Yanya shares new standalone single, "Cold Heart"
Get the Best Fit take on the week in music direct to your inbox every Friday

Prima Queen
The Prize

Femi Kuti
Journey Through Life

Sunflower Bean
Mortal Primetime
