Mariele’s Christmas single, “Now Christmas Can Begin”, was released on December 19th, 2024, Mariele’s “Now Christmas Can Begin” is a touching and sentimental Christmas single. This song, written by Ailsa McIntosh (soprano vocalist) and Graemme Park (singer-songwriter), perfectly embodies Christmas nostalgia. Which ushers personal grief intertwined with the recollection of timeless traditions associated with Christmas. Graeme Park wrote the piece while mourning the loss of his mother, and thus the song holds more meaning than being a mere festive song. It serves as a testament to Park’s belief in the need to vividly reminisce about moments shared with loved ones who have passed. The lyrics emphasize the importance of believing in the happiness that the holidays bring, and the people who make them special.
Ailsa McIntosh’s exquisite and memorable voice enhances the emotive nature of the song and proves her to be a great performer. She outshines the gulf of orchestral layers to include string instruments eloquently. It is fair to say that the production, recorded at Mariele’s home studio, is both intimate and majestic. The combination fabricates a space and sound that is characteristically human-oriented yet crosses boundaries. The attention to the instrumental arrangement matches the context of the text proving the song to be original and unique when compared to the rest in the Christmas genre.
The song has already been dubbed a Christmas classic and some commenters say it would suit a touching John Lewis Christmas commercial perfectly. It is understandable as the blend of emotional storytelling, accurate singing and rich instrumentation make the song “Now Christmas Can Begin” an opus that does not leave the listener after the last note finishes as it did with me. Whether you experience it live, as recently demonstrated at St. Paul’s Church or at home, it is essential to add it to your Christmas list. It is a powerful ode to love, loss, and the timeless Christmas spirit.
