There’s no way around it, 2020 has been a bit of a stinker, so it’s no surprise to see Christmas celebrations underway spectacularly early this year. It seems we’re all just looking for a little way to forget all the pain and suffering this year has brought, and that’s absolutely understandable. In any normal year, a Christmas release in mid-November might cause a few grumbles among certain people, but given the storm of unpleasantness that 2020 has been, I think we can all just welcome it with open arms.

Into those troubled waters sails the immensely talented Alexis Ffrench, classical soul pioneer, composer, producer and pianist extraordinaire. A precocious talent, Ffrench began improvising piano pieces at the age of four, and received scholarships to study at The Purcell School for Young Musicians, the Royal Academy of Music, and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. He has headlined London’s Royal Albert Hall, composed several films scores, played Latitude Festival and collaborated with the likes of Paloma Faith and top fashion houses Miyake and Hugo Boss.

Early this year, Ffrench dropped his single Walk With Us, a powerful homage to the Black Lives Matter movement (all profits from the release were donated to the cause). His latest release is a very different affair though. Home gathers together five classical Christmas tracks, each beautifully and creatively arranged for piano by Ffrench.

You will recognise all the songs of course, but under Ffrench’s capable guidance you will be hearing them in a new way. O Holy Night is particularly captivating, while Feliz Navidad is gloriously warm. Happy Xmas (War Is Over) feels particularly strong in this stripped-back style. Whichever track you are listening to though, you can hear why Ffrench is the UK’s biggest selling piano artist of 2020: the sound he creates is spectacular and confident yet hauntingly tender.

Writing on his official Facebook page to mark the release, Ffrench said: “I just want to say a huge thank you to everybody who has listened to and streamed Home, my new Christmas EP, so grateful for all the kind words. I hope it provides a suitably comforting soundtrack for self-care days during the holiday season. If you haven't listened to or streamed Home yet, you can do so on all major streaming platforms.”

Home tracklist:

1. O Holy Night

2. A Time For Giving

3. Feliz Navidad

4. Simple Gifts

5. Happy Xmas (War Is Over)

Watch the official video for O Holy Night here.

Author: Joe Sharratt

Joe Sharratt is a writer and journalist based in the UK covering music, literature, sport, and travel.