Maverick Smith – Christmas

Maverick Smith’s Christmas EP is the first Christmas album of the year and arrives as a rebellious gift, breaking away from traditional Christmas music with raw rock energy. Tracks like “Coal for Christmas” showcase the band’s ability to dismantle Christmas music stereotypes while preserving the holiday spirit.

Led by Sean Boynes, Maverick Smith teams up with Dan Bozek (bass) and Jim Courtney (drums) in an exceptional display of collaboration. The EP features an impressive lineup of session musicians, including Paul Santo (Aerosmith, Eric Clapton, Kid Rock, David Gilmour, Ringo Starr, Ozzy Osbourne), Dallas Dwight (L.A. Maybe, Duff McKagan, Sebastian Bach), vocalist Caitlin Anselmo (Carousel Rogues), and the Dreams Strings Orchestra.

The opener, “Coal for Christmas,” is a heartfelt Christmas Rock Ballad in which Anselmo’s voice explores themes of disappointment, regret, and the emotional complexity surrounding the holidays. While Christmas is traditionally associated with warmth, joy, and abundance, this song offers a contrasting perspective. The concept of “Coal for Christmas” symbolizes punishment or a lack of gifts and is used as a metaphor for emotional emptiness and unresolved issues. It suggests that the void of Christmas stems from personal mistakes (“Maybe we’ve been bad, maybe now it’s true”). The imagery of burning coal in the fire symbolizes a destructive way of dealing with pain or disappointment as if embracing that pain and turning it into something tangible. “Coal for Christmas” delves into the darker undercurrents of the holiday, flipping traditional Christmas imagery on its head by replacing gifts and joy with regret, lies, and emotional pain. The song seems to call for reflection on the meaning of the holiday season and how personal baggage can influence that experience. The chorus is catchy and underscores the emotional core of the song with the repetition of “It’s Coal for Christmas again this year.”

“Kid at Christmas,” on the other hand, is a punchy pop-punk track. A single centred on nostalgia and the contrast between the childhood and adult experience of Christmas. The central message is that, although the way we experience Christmas changes as we grow older, the magic and joy of it remain timeless. Lyrics like “cocoa out” and “laughter fills the air” create an atmosphere of cosiness and togetherness. The difference between the childlike and adult perspectives becomes clear in the chorus. The memory of the simplicity and sincerity of childhood contrasts with the reflection of adulthood. Christmas symbolizes love, hope, and magic, which persist across all stages of life, and that is what the song aims to convey. The lyrics evoke a sense of warmth, nostalgia, and hope. The longing for the simplicity and innocence of the past is nuanced by the acknowledgement that the essence of Christmas – love and joy – remains intact. “Kid at Christmas” is atmospheric, simple yet effective; a way to encapsulate the essence of Christmas. The combination of nostalgia and hope makes it a song that appeals to both children and adults. A true Christmas radio hit.

The highlight of the EP is their reworked version of “Jingle Bells.” Maverick Smith transforms the classic song into a powerful, string-infused anthem that feels both nostalgic and revolutionary. This version may be the most intriguing new take on the Christmas classic and is a must-hear for radio over the coming years. Granted, only during the holiday season, but since most “new” Christmas songs rarely last more than two weeks on air—because listeners tend to gravitate back to the old classics—this version could easily be embraced as a more dynamic rendition of the traditional tune. And because it aligns closely with Maverick Smith’s original repertoire (tip: listen to the album “With Friends & Imperfections”), it might also be the track that comes across the strongest. That’s not to say the earlier songs aren’t equally solid. They are well-produced with lyrically compelling content. If a Christmas EP can serve as a band’s breakthrough, then the rest of their music will surely be worth exploring. I won’t spoil anything; I’ll keep listening for now. (8/10) (Sean Boynes)