Eleven Productions LLC / Cimorelli Music / The Fuel Music
Release Date: November 23rd 2018
Reviewed by: Jonathan Andre
Cimorelli– Christmas Lights EP (Amazon mp3/iTunes)
Track Listing:
- Christmas Lights
- O Holy Night
- Christmas of Love
- Silent Night
Cimorelli needs no introduction. No seriously, they don’t. If anyone, and I mean anyone, don’t know who this talented 6 sister group is (easily one of today’s most inspiring artists who primarily have their most exposure on youtube), then I suggest you check out our reviews of Alive, Sad Girls Club, Best of 2017, I Love You Or Whatever and Here’s to Us, so as you can grasp the enormity of their influence and impact in the society of today and in today’s younger generation (especially young girls). And for me personally, they are indeed fast becoming one of my favourites bands…ever. Yes, I do mean ever. And though I’ve only started to listen to Cimorelli and their music (alongside all their videos on youtube) a little over a year or so ago (I think it was mid-year 2017 where I started binge-listening to their music), these 6 young women of God have inspired me so much in how they themselves live out an unashamed walk in Christ, and in turn have given myself courage to fully walk out my own faith in the last year or so. For Cimorelli are some of the most honest, emotive, raw, hopeful, and encouraging artists that have influenced both the mainstream and Christian circles, delivering a myriad of pop and inspirational covers, alongside 7 EPs (Cimorelli, CimFam EP, Believe It, Made in America, Renegade, I Love You Or Whatever, Here’s To Us) and 3 albums (Up at Night, Alive, Sad Girls Club) full of original material and covers, and now as we leap into November 2018 and into the Christmas period, we see yet another unveiling of a Cimorelli EP, this time, Christmas themed music, with Christmas Lights EP.
Comprising of 4 songs (2 original and 2 carols), Cimorelli have once again delivered what they do best- acapella music, magnificent harmonies, and passionate music with a strong message of hope and encouragement. ‘O Holy Night’, arguably one of the most famous Christmas carols, ever, is given the acapella treatment by the six sisters, and as it was created into a music video a little while ago, we have been blessed to hear each of the sisters shine vocally, reminding us that such a powerful song like ‘O Holy Night’ doesn’t need to be backed up with instruments for it to have a longing and lasting impact to whomever hears it. ‘Silent Night’ stands at just over a couple of minutes, and seems to be one of the lowest points on the EP- particularly because again it is without instruments, but also, all of the sisters sing at once- there is no distinction between one sister and the next in this short song. What makes Cimorelli unique is all their distinct vocals, and for a song to have all of them singing together in unison (without music) can seem like a drag, even if it wasn’t meant to be. Nevertheless, though I may have heard better covers of ‘Silent Night’, the presence of this song on the EP is still a testament to the message behind it, as we’re reminded of the gospel story told within the confines of this 2-and-a-half-minute song! The EP is then rounded out with original tracks ‘Christmas Lights’ and ‘Christmas of Love’, two songs that are equally emotive as they are fun-filled, the former being a melody where the persona (the sisters) declares that spending time with loved ones during the Christmas season is far better than any Christmas lights that can hang down a tree (or better than anything, really), while the latter is a much more ‘radio-friendly’ danceable and singable song about how Christmas ought to be a time of love, affection, hope and falling into moments and situations that are totally meant-to-be (as viewed by the world) or God-ordained (as it should be)!
‘…Cimorelli and their commitment to delivering quality music, be it covers or originals, has taught me that there is a wide variety of music out there at my grasp, and ‘mainstream’ music isn’t that ‘bad’ or ‘inferior’ to Christian music. In fact, God can indeed speak through anything, even a song that wasn’t necessarily written with Jesus at the forefront. Mainstream music can encourage, and Cimorelli has shown us, myself especially, that mainstream songs, can in fact help us on our journey of life, and tell us more about ourselves and God in the whole process of this crazy period from birth to death, called an exciting adventure the Lord is calling us all out to participate in. My musical tastes have been broadened because of Cimorelli, and for that I am thankful and grateful. Music is the universal language of the soul, and as these 6 sisters continue to deliver harmonies and melodies as emotive and poignant as they have been for years, then the world will be a better place because of it…’ This quote verbatim is what I wrote as the ending paragraph for I Love You or Whatever, and while I was searching for some sophisticated way to end this Christmas EP review, I found that I couldn’t, because this above quote applies not only to the review I wrote a few months ago, but also to this one too…in fact, to any Cimorelli album, and so, I quoted it. But what I will say is this- their new EP, albeit short, is one that has impacted and encouraged, reminded me of the importance of spending time with people you love during this season where it can be quite busy and rushed. Christmas is a time for reflection and being reminded of who Jesus was and what He really came to Earth to undertake. Giving gifts is a sign of remembrance as we understand fully the gift He’s already freely given to us. The buying of the presents isn’t what Christmas is about, in fact, buying gifts for me is the last thing on my own mind.
This new EP has shed much light upon the understanding, that the love we share for our loved ones around Christmas time is just a shred of what God feels for each of us, period, that the time we spend with our loved ones during a holiday where most of the world has forgotten its meaning, is only a fraction of how much time He wants to spend with His creation, i.e.: us! As we’re made in God’s image, how we love each other is in fact how God loves us, and then some. Christmas Lights is not just for people who enjoy and love Christmas and holiday songs, but rather, those who love music, full stop. Cimorelli are underrated, and hopefully with this EP release, alongside their most recent EPs Here’s To Us and I Love You Or Whatever, and their increased youtube presence throughout the last year or so; we can see the journey of how a little youtube cover band can be transformed into a band that is influencing many young teenagers and young adults around the world today. Well done Christina, Katherine, Lisa, Amy, Lauren and Dani Cimorelli for such a heart-warming set of Christmas originals and carols. Here’s to the EP impacting many, many lives in the upcoming weeks and months ahead!
3 songs to listen to: Christmas of Love, Christmas Lights, O Holy Night
Score: 4/5
RIYL: Megan Nicole, 1GN, Rachel Platten, Plumb, Britt Nicole, BarlowGirl