In a season awash in glossy carols and sugar-coated memories, The New Citizen Kane comes through with something splendidly intimate, “Lonely Christmas Lights (’25 Rework).” Rerecorded and freshly buffed from its release a year ago, this release arrives dressed in joy, and it sure does hit.
What sets this rework apart is its understated emotional heart. The New Citizen Kane leans into a gentler glow, one that feels like the warm flicker of lights on a window when the world outside seems just a bit too quiet. That sentiment of embracing the tender loneliness of the season also serves as the heartbeat here.
The artist hasn’t shared all the details behind this rerecording, but the improvements are apparent. The performance is more assured, more present, and feels like it was built with even more care. And one can hear the intention behind every added flourish and each piece, brightening the mood but never overwhelming the original song’s delicate charm. It’s like the track has been lightly covered with a fresh layer of snow and, under the flicker of a streetlamp, left to glitter.
“Lonely Christmas Lights (’25 Rework)” sounds like a friend to anyone who has ever found themselves in the middle of both the merriment of the Christmas season and winter’s lower-key reflection. The New Citizen Kane doesn’t hide from that duality, he cuddles with it, taking listeners by frequently sweaty hand through December’s sentimental gauntlet.