Blunts and baubles

Christmas Playlist: Oscar – London’s pop crooner hands over a mega mix of festive jams
By Tempe Nakiska | Music | 16 December 2014

Above: Still from video for ‘Represent’ by Nas

Christmas can be a stressful and trying time, what with presents to buy, chaotic train journeys back home and meeting strange family members you never knew you had. What we all need is a Christmas playlist sure to set your spirits straight just in time for the big day.

Oscar Scheller (shortened to just Oscar) has carved himself a devoted audience in the amount of time it would take most acts to find themselves a half decent name. His baritone timbre, self effacing lyrics and fuzzy guitar strains underline what could well be a resurgent force in real time bedroom pop. Maybe it’s the DIY attitude, channeled via a serious soft spot for punk (Oscar’s Mum provides back up vocals for several of his tracks and was, with his dad, part of late-1970s New Wave band The Regents) that serves to inform his recording process with as much humanism as feels appropriate in the midst of the burgeoning digital-analogue debate. “If it’s there, use it,” he says in our recent interview.

When we asked Oscar to craft a festive mix for us, we know he’d do a ripper job – but he really shot it out of the ballpark. We dare you to listen to this and resist busting a crunk tabletop move at your work Christmas shindig. Crack out the air horn and have a ripper.

Cleanzy Christmas by Popcaan
“Ever wanted to skank so hard, but not too hard cause you don’t wanna spill that mulled wine all over carpet? Well now’s your chance! 1 time, dutty wine, work off those mince pies. PS. Never have sleigh bells sounded so aggressive!”

8 Days Of Christmas by Destiny’s Child
“Theres nothing like receiving a ‘SLK and a crop jacket, with dirty denim jeans from your loved one this holiday season. Personally I always wanted that package but ended up with loads of socks. A festive themed banger from DC. Get sassy, and remember to be independent this yule tide.”

Last Christmas by Wham!
“The ultimate melancholy in a Christmas song. It’s that chord progression that will always haunt me. Wham! At their best. Repeat, repeat, cry, repeat. Sleep.”

Will You Still Love Me by The Shirelles
“A lot of the 60s girl group tracks reminds me of Christmas time. Maybe it’s all the sleigh bells and tambourines, not to mention the warm feeling all those insurance company ads and KFC campaigns evoke. Tune though.”

Represent by Nas
“A cold cut classic. Not sure how warm a Queensboro Christmas would have been. Not even sure how much Turkey was consumed, or cracker’s pulled… crackheads maybe and mostly just blunt smoke. But this track has sleigh bells on it so it’s as Christmas-y as Illmatic gets.”

Ground Zero Christmas by Weird Al Yankovic
“If you’re feeling cynical and a bit fucked up about the christmas season, then, listen to this. It’ll make you feel worse/better.”

New Year by Sugababes
“We all know everyone’s got a soft spot for these girls. Their first album One Touch was pretty amazing, and this is the sort of festive number on it. Bit of vinyl crackle, some close harmonies. Let’s all remember the good times eh? Nawwww.”

Maria by Blondie
“Epic chorus. Epic come back. Church bells are as festive as they come innit.”

The Sparkler by Jeans Wilder
“Not an immediate Christmas tune but it is one of my faves. Sounds quite festive to me though with all the reverb and doo woop chord progressions. Timeless, a bit druggy, a bit dreamlike. Sparkler’s are definitely festive too.”

2000 Words by The Pretenders
“The beautiful lilt on this number. It’s like a happy Cocteau Twins who drank too much Egg Nog. Also my mum loves this one. ‘Nuff said. Perfect closer. Good night, and have a corker this Christmas! See you next year!!

Oscar plays 13th January for Line Of Best Fit at The Lexington, 96-98 Pentonville Rd, London N1 9JB. Follow Oscar on SoundCloud, Facebook and Twitter

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