Mariah Carey. Michael Buble. Bing Crosby. All names that we associate with Christmas music. Perhaps songs we hear all too often and have a thick layer of cheese smeared across them. Enter Sofia Talvik with a new holiday tune that tells the story of the holiday season through a different lens. A western vibe and rolling train rhythm enter. Spooky guitar notes ring in the background and Talvik’s voice echoes across the landscape weaving a tale that is cautionary about the less wholesome side of the season. Check it out below.

Who: Sofia Talvik

From: Gothenburg, Sweden

Song: “Christmas Train”

Latest Record: Paws of a Bear

What About It: “As you might know, if you have followed me for a while I write a Christmas song every year. And my goal is to show a different side of Christmas than what we usually hear. So I always focused on the darker side of Christmas and have this year as well.

The new single “Christmas Train” (just premiered on Americana Highways) is a modern take on the Krampus story, (Santa’s evil counterpart that punishes rather than spreads joy and presents). In the form of a thundering train that will steal dreams, as well as lives away from everyone in its path.”