Collette Cooper Presents Darkside Of Christmas, Chapter 2

by | Nov 23, 2023

Following on from 2022’s impactful album Darkside of Christmas Chapter 1, multi-talented singer, writer, performer and critically acclaimed artist Collette Cooper, returns this festive season with Darkside of Christmas Chapter 2, officially released on Thelonious Punk Records on 24 November 2023.

Collette Cooper

Collette Cooper (Rankin)
Collette Cooper (Rankin)

Reflecting the current political and social environment caused by the impact of national and global events, Darkside Of Christmas Chapters 1 & 2 takes a more poignant approach to the seasonal album, and aims to recognise the recent difficulties felt by many around the world. The albums touch upon themes of love, loss and empathy all tied together with wry wit, edgy humour and outstanding musicianship – and the individual, unmistakable voice of Collette.

While the theme may at first appear saturnine, Darkside Of Christmas’s ultimate sentiment is an uplifting feeling of spirituality and hope, laced with a devil-may-care party spirit designed to unify those who feel that the hour of ‘forced fun’ is upon them.

On Chapter 1, Run Santa Baby sees old Saint Nick feeling the pinch of frostbite, while Cooper’s rendition of What A Wonderful World (recorded live in one take) sails over the sound of an old honky-tonk piano with the odd broken key, conjuring the essence of a singalong around the fire after a few too many glasses of Christmas spirit.

Check out What A Wonderful World below:

A more personal sentiment is projected on the original track Another Day – dedicated to Collette’s best friend Claire Bonham, who unexpectedly passed away in March 2020 (the last time they spent time together was New Year’s Day 2020). 

The classic jazz standard Ain’t Necessarily So is given a unique treatment with the addition of the melody from Carol Of The Bells.

The final jewel in the crown is the addition of legendary British actor Ray Winstone, who introduces the album by reciting a compelling, original poem by Collette Cooper, setting the tone for what is to come including the opening track Silent Night.

Collette Cooper

Collette Cooper (Press)
Collette Cooper (Press)

Chapter 2 opens with another Collette-penned poem, this time recited by award-winning, gritty British actor, Maxine Peake to begin the haunting original composition When the Snow Falls.

Collette’s 2020 single Lost Soul is reinvented with a gospel-inflected a cappella opening followed by a full-on funk-blues experience entitled Lost Soul (Piece of Mind).

The final new track ends the project like it began, with Cooper’s unique take on an old Carol. Coventry Carol, whose theme of war and strife is a chilling echo of today’s headlines (and given that it was recorded in September) is an eerie example of art predicting life.

Collette Cooper

Collette Cooper (Rankin)
Collette Cooper (Rankin)

Speaking about the record, Collette says, “A lot of love, blood, sweat, tears, and snow has gone into this album.” Recorded at London’s Abbey Road Studios and Dean Street Studios (Collette’s body of work is mostly recorded live), with original artwork by the acclaimed photographer Rankin, Darkside Of Christmas Chapters 1 & 2 is a distinctive and stylish work, destined to indulge all of this year’s Scrooges and maybe a few Tiny Tim’s for good measure!

For more information, please contact Thelonious Punk Records: info@theloniouspunkproductions.com

Collette Cooper will be treating us to a live performance on 1st December 2023 at Rosslyn Hill Chapel, 3 Pilgrim’s Place, Hampstead, London, NW3 1NG

Words by Nicola Greenbrook.

PJ Harvey Delivers A Spellbinding Roundhouse Show

GeeJay (Phoebe Nightingale)

GeeJay Share New Track Murder And Announce Biggest Headline Show To Date

North London soul-pop duo GeeJay have unveiled their brand new track Murder and announced details of their biggest...
YES (Gottlieb Bros.)

YES Announce 2026 UK Tour Celebrating Fragile

Progressive rock legends YES have announced their return to the UK with a nine-date tour in spring 2026, following the...
Hannah McFarland (Chris Ashlee)

“It Has Been a Whirlwind” — But Hannah McFarland Is Just Getting Started

Alabama country singer Hannah McFarland has barely had a chance to catch her breath. Since releasing her Broken Hearts EP in February, her career has skyrocketed with opportunities she once only dreamed of.

Lewis Capaldi @ Glastonbury Festival 2023 (Kalpesh Patel)

BST Hyde Park 2026 Kicks Off With Garth Brooks And Lewis Capaldi As First Headliners

BST Hyde Park has announced the first two headliners for its 2026 edition, setting the stage for another blockbuster...
Blondshell @ Electric Brixton (Kalpesh Patel)

Blondshell Brings Electric Brixton To Boil On First Night Of London Double-Header

Sabrina Teitelbaum — better known as Blondshell — has built her reputation on raw honesty and songs that cut deep, and...
Ash @ Scala (Kalpesh Patel)

Ash Light Up Scala & Celebrate Ad Astra With Career-Spanning Set And Graham Coxon Collaboration

There was a palpable sense of anticipation outside North London venue Scala on Wednesday night as Ash returned for the...
Callum Beattie @ Glastonbury Festival 2017 (Kalpesh Patel)

Callum Beattie Announces New Album ‘INDI’ And 2026 Tour Dates, Including Biggest Headline Show Yet at Glasgow’s OVO Hydro

Scottish singer-songwriter Callum Beattie has announced details of his third studio album INDI, set for release on...
Maya Lane @ The Grace (Henry Finnegan / @finneganfoto)

Maya Lane On The Hurt And The Healing: From Vulnerability to Growth

On a rain-soaked evening in London, rising singer-songwriter Maya Lane celebrated the release of her brand-new EP The Hurt And The Healing with an intimate show at The Grace. Just weeks earlier, we had met under sunnier skies at The Long Road Festival, beers and whiskies in hand, denim and sunshine everywhere. Now, umbrellas and storm clouds in tow, it felt fitting that Lane’s new project, a record that navigates through storms towards moments of calm, should arrive on a night like this.

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This

Share Thing