"Christmas Eve in New York City" by Anjalo is a beautiful, piano-driven piece that feels more like an experience than a regular song. From the first notes, the song wraps you in warmth and makes you want to walk slowly through a bright city at night, where snow falls softly, and windows shine with promise.
The piano, which is based on deep jazz harmony, plays a big part with quiet confidence, reminding me of the lasting spirit of A Charlie Brown Christmas and Vince Guaraldi's unique style. The music is slow and full of emotion, and each chord rings out like an echo from empty sidewalks and quiet streets. There are soft, childlike voices coming from under the piano, making the room feel both intimate and striking, like a memory.
The best thing about this piece is how it makes you feel like you're in a particular place, and Anjalo doesn't show the sights and sounds of New York City on Christmas Eve. Instead, he shows how the city feels. There is a quiet 90s boom-bap beat underneath the arrangement, like footsteps far away or a subway rumbling under streets covered in snow. It doesn't try to get attention, but it gives the track a little push that keeps the city alive even when things are quiet.
"Christmas Eve in New York City" is a type of holiday music that doesn't make the season pass faster or leave the listener feeling overwhelmed. Instead, it makes people think about how beautiful it is to be present, how warm it is, and how memory works.