The 2025 No Depression Guide to Holiday Music That Doesn’t Suck

Sometimes all it takes to get in to the holiday spirit is a good soundtrack. And luckily for roots music fans, No Depression's got that covered. Since 2019, we've been polling our staff and contributors and checking our inboxes twice for all the best "Holiday Music That Doesn’t Suck." (But super fans of the season can check out previous playlists from 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024.).

The only rules for No Depression's "Holiday Music That Doesn’t Suck" playlist are that the songs have to be new and fall within the ever-widening umbrella term of "roots." This year, we compiled more than two dozen songs from artists including Deer Tick, Drew and Elle Holcomb, Olivia Ellen Lloyd, Judy Blank, Melissa Carper, and more. Check it out below, and may your holiday season be restful, joyful, and peaceful!