Indie rock siblings Dandy Lions return with โChristmas (or any other day),โ a single that quietly reframes the holiday songbook through memory, grief, and renewal. Formed at SUNY Purchase College, Lena and Dante have long been known for earworm melodies, nostalgia-tinged lyrics, and subtle instrumental flourishes, and this release feels like a natural evolution of that voice. Written during the height of the pandemic after the loss of their grandmother, the song originally lived in a slower, heavier space. But time moved on, life changed, and so did the song. With Lena now a mother and Dante stepping into unclehood, โChristmas (or any other day)โ was reshaped into something brighter, carrying hope without denying loss. Recorded in Long Island City with longtime collaborator Jonathan Jetter and released on their late grandmotherโs birthday, the track lands as both tribute and continuation.
The song opens with strong, grinding guitars and thumping drums, setting a restless pulse right away. Pulsating percussion drives the momentum before the arrangement briefly softens, shimmering gently as Lenaโs thick, expressive voice enters. Her delivery feels anxious and suspended, hovering between desolation and resolve, as if caught mid-breath between past and future. Thereโs an emotional tension in the verses that mirrors the songโs themes, missing those who are gone while reckoning with the responsibility of bringing new life into the world.
As the track unfolds, the energy lifts. Danteโs decision to speed things up pays off, with the hopeful beat pushing the song forward rather than letting it sink inward. A mellotron choir blooms in the background, adding warmth and a sense of communal voice, while Jonathan Jetterโs lead guitar lines weave gently through the mix. Brian Killeenโs bass grounds everything with a steady, comforting presence, and Kenny Shawโs drums keep the track moving without overwhelming its intimacy. Backing vocals from sister Lara add another layer of family closeness, reinforcing the songโs core message.
โChristmas (or any other day)โ ultimately feels less about the calendar and more about continuity. Itโs a song about showing up for one another, carrying memory forward, and finding light even when the weight is real.
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Review by: Naomi Joan