Macklemore is vividly known for his raw and unique rapping compositions. However, his new release—a collaboration with Dan Caplen—shows a complete alternate side of him. With Christmas right around the corner, Macklemore believed it was a lucrative idea to drop a new Christmas bop titled “It’s Christmas Time.” 

During this time of year, everyone is in search of original holiday songs to get them in the spirit. The traditional Christmas songs like “Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town” and “Drummer Boy” will forever be loved, but our generation is in need of some hot, new classics that make the Christmas spirit even stronger.

The song introduces itself within the words of Caplen; he is exclaiming how he wishes he could go back to his childhood during this holiday season. In adulthood, and oftentimes even in the teenage years, déjà vu comes upon us. 

Initially, I had never heard of U.K. singer Dan Caplen. Although, when he kicked off the song with his catchy but unknown voice, I had high expectations regarding the rest of the song.

Towards the climax of the catchy tune, I came to the realization that the whole song revolves around being a child at Christmas time. 

For me personally, it was a quick trip down memory lane. 

Some of the stanzas were emphasizing various titles of classic holiday movies and songs when Macklemore says, “Turn on that one movie about the kid who licked the telephone on the Blu-Ray,” and “Turn on that Michael Bublé.” Listening to these brief but meaningful lines made me reconsider the components that truly exemplify the meaning of the holiday season.

Macklemore is most definitely not known to sing content, cheerful holiday songs. Furthermore, the day “It’s Christmas Time” was released, Macklemore proceeded to make a social media post stating how he has always wanted to compose a holiday song and how this year, he was brave enough to do it. 

“Every year around Christmas time I think to myself, ‘Just do it Ben. Make the song. You can be the new Mariah Carey. Well this year, I finally am.'” Macklemore wrote on his Instagram feed. His devotion to stepping out of his comfort zone was beyond inspiring—also considering he sang this song in dedication to his daughters.

If you’re familiar with Macklemore’s single that had skyrocketed in 2012, “Thrift Shop,” you would know that he begins his song with a little girl reciting “Hey Macklemore, can we go thrift shopping?” This saying—that went viral—has resurfaced itself into this new song as well. The first words of the song read “It’s Christmas time!” from what sounds like a joyful little girl in the holiday spirit. To create a recurring theme, these three content words—that also happen to be the title of the song—occur once again at the end of the song to generate a wonderful finish.

The overall vibes of “It’s Christmas Time” are nothing less than heartening. This single deserves a lot of love considering Macklemore’s execution on his first-ever holiday song. It is a song which includes him reminiscing of his childhood, and this new single is most definitely going to give Mariah Carey a run for her money.