Last Christmas

Released in late 2023, 'Last Christmas' is a four-track EP that marks Alanis Morissette's first dedicated foray into the holiday music market. Rather than opting for original compositions, Morissette selects four pillars of the seasonal canon, ranging from the 19th-century hymn 'What Child Is This' to the 80s pop staple 'Last Christmas' by Wham!. Sonically, the project is a significant departure from her career-defining post-grunge sound. The EP is characterized by 'bedroom-adjacent' production values - intimate mic placement, sparse instrumentation, and a focus on vocal texture over volume. Critical reception noted her ability to bring a sense of 'indie-folk' gravitas to songs that are often over-produced. Positioned as a late-career curiosity, it serves as a companion piece to her more meditative recent work, such as her meditation album 'The Storm Before the Calm', showcasing her evolution into a more serene, atmospheric artist.