Anthony Mandarano – Christmas Dance Remix EP
- Articles Dance Pop Electronic Pop Genres Holiday Music Pop
J. Simpson- 8 minutes read
Australia’s Anthony Mandarano spins his Christmas singles into one bright, festive, unique, and creative megamix on the Christmas Dance Remix EP.
It’s getting to be that time of year. Starting in three days, every shopping mall, gas station, Red Lobster, and McDonald’s Drive-Thru will be blasting Christmas music out of carefully concealed speakers. It’s a relentless firehose of glad tidings and holiday cheer, whether you like it or not. To make matters worse, the Christmas season starts earlier and earlier each year. Depending on how much time you spend at Home Depot, you could theoretically have been hearing “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree” since the beginning of October.
Still, we shouldn’t become cynical. There’s a lot of great things about this time of the year. We might just want to celebrate with something other than the same 10 songs on permanent loop. There’s a lot of great things about Christmas music, too. Sometimes we just need a reminder.
I first encountered Australian popsmith Anthony Mandarano last month with the release of his rather exceptional Play It Tonight album. We were struck by his personal, heartfelt approach to bright, bold club pop, sounding polished enough for mainstream radio airplay or dancefloor domination but backed by genuine heart and creativity.
It inspired me to delve deeper into Mandarano’s back catalog, where i landed on this short, fun single while looking for Christmas music that isn’t Mariah Carey. Not only is Mandarano’s Christmas Dance Remix EP a chance to hear all of his Christmas singles in one place and time, it’s also a throwback to the effervescent club remixes of the ’90s. Sure, at the time no one was really clamoring for an Armand van Buuren extended Goa Trance remix of The Cure’s “Friday I’m In Love,” but those CD singles weren’t going to finish themselves. With the benefit of hindsight, it all has a certain charm, blending optimism, infectious melodies and driving beats with actual character and personality. Mandarano’s Christmas Dance Remix EP is a much-appreciated reminder of those charms.
Christmas Dance Remix EP is a mix of originals and clever reimaginings of old favorites. It begins with his update of “Jingle Bells,” reimagining the ol’ chestnut as a sleigh ride past Top 40 clubs and dischotheques.
“Jingle Bells” transitions into the warm, personal original “Christmas Song,” written by Mandarano as an ode to his grandfather.
Mandarano’s take on “We Wish You A Merry Christmas,” is as warm and sweet as figgy pudding, a brandy-soaked confectionery to keep the winter chill at bay.
Things take a turn in the EP’s final moments, though, seamlessly shifting on a dime into Donna Summer ’70s chic fuzzy warbles mixed with slick, shiny early ’90s Orbital trance pop, giving us a hybrid we didn’t even know we needed.
Everything ends up with a handmade, heartfelt rendition of “Silent Night,” with Mandarano offering a benediction of hope, serving as a much-appreciated light in dark, cold times.
As with Play It Tonight, Mandarano’s Christmas Dance Remix EP hints at a way forward for pop music, pairing sharp, clear production, earworm melodies, and warm harmonies with an idiosyncratic musical vision. I’m predicting big things for Anthony Mandarano. For anyone looking for something a little different and a lot brilliant for your Christmas playlists, add the Christmas Dance Remix EP to your rotation.
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