‘Tis the season, as they say, and record labels have been putting out a flurry of albums to celebrate Christmas, from the conventional to the occasionally oddball. While everyone has their favourites to pop on while roasting the turkey, there’s always room for something new, so here goes with my own personal 12 Days of Christmas Music: a dozen recent releases to grace your festivities. And for those who prefer to stream their music, scroll down to the bottom where you’ll find a Spotify playlist that’s guaranteed to make the yuletide gay. So, off we go in reverse order…

12: In the Bleak Midwinter (Christmas Carols from King’s)
Choir of King’s College, Cambridge/Daniel Hyde
King’s College KGS006

As always, there is a great deal of loveliness to be found in the latest release from the famous Choir of King’s College, Cambridge under their new (ish) music director Daniel Hyde. The blend is immaculate, and Hyde has relaxed the tempi somewhat in a marked change from the Cleobury era. So why is it languishing at 12? Perhaps it’s...