Carly Rae Jepsen‘s cover of Wham!’s iconic “Last Christmas” will never be among the most bah humbug of songs ever recorded for the Most Wonderful Time of the Year, and that’s just fine. Such a pairing is very much on-brand for both: her take’s smooth sax arpeggios and sugary synth runs wouldn’t have been out of place in an alternate-universe version of Wham!’s original, nor on a deluxe version of Jepsen’s softly neon-hued sophomore album, this year’s E•MO•TION. Listen here, preferably in front of a roaring fire — or at least, with this one open in another window.
