From the upbeat celebration to a warm and intimate sense of realism and hope. De Brand continues his unique three-album ode to Christmas and unity, with the mighty One World One Christmas Vol. 2.
Immediately striking up a sense of deeply evocative heartbreak and optimism united, Peace For Everyone shines light on a completely different side of Christmas to volume one. The season was kicked off with joy and upbeat dance-ready brightness, and now we settle down to consider, to wonder, and to rise up, with the stripped-back soulful intentions and boldly euphoric passion of this new opening track.
Peace For Everyone sets the bar high, a seamless meeting between melancholy and possibility, and a sense of overcoming, even in the face of great struggle – something sadly relatable and needed across the globe right now. Ideas like letting the fighting seize, and building a world of peace together, ring out and resound as the music fills the space.
Twelve new Christmas songs and a whole new vibe to snuggle up with this season, One World One Christmas Vol. 2 continues down the pathway of reflecting on a painful year, as Love, Peace, Family proceeds to tighten the grip of positivity and hope. From dark verses to the catchy uplift of its hook, this evocative power-ballad is euphoric in its celebration of togetherness, and naturally continues the sense of compassion and empathy that runs throughout the album.
Stylistically there’s a clear winning tone and strategy to the single Keep Giving, an upbeat bounce of a hook and a nuanced vocal style proceeding towards a choir-like peak of a joyful chorus. Then we get the gospel soul fluidity and smooth wonder of Peace on Earth Tonight, a timeless dedication to the quietly compelling sense of peace and togetherness found on Christmas Eve.
The bells continues, the choirs, the new melodies and timeless chord progressions, with changing vocal leads adding further dynamic to this iconic De Brand Christmas collection. Together Strong pours through like a global hymn, Shine Like Christmas adds a pop friendliness and easy-going joy later on, and Underneath the Same Star provides a cinematic celebration of oneness that’s romantic and movie-ready.
We then return to intimate and evocative contemplation, for Under the Mistletoe Glow, before the energy elevates quite beautifully, amidst the childlike celebration and crescendo of a brilliantly arranged Snowball Fights – another movie-ready gem that quickly lifts the mood.
Then for Hearts Are Singing, a touch of softness, mellow wonder and appreciation, makes for a well-earned shift into something like the opener – that moment of uncertainty quickly overcome by the sheer power and passion of a celebratory chorus.
At the penultimate moment, De Brand reminds us of the One World One Christmas sentiment, of his mission, to unite people and free them from the weight of the world this Christmas. We Belong resounds as an album highlight, the voices surrounding the listener with harmonised and quiet to bold reflections on the scenes and feelings of Christmas.
Then wrapping up Volume 2 is a stunning highlight, the Gospel choir power and charm of There Must Be A God – an impactful and lasting ode to the goal of bringing peace to everyone; a simple, minimalist, pure vocal arrangement, and a gorgeously emotional end to the journey of volume two.
From the beginning possibility and belief of Peace for Everyone, to the closing crescendo of togetherness, this album draws focus to the beating heart of Christmas – the sense of community, the way we’re drawn towards one another, the way we need one another, and how we long for home and family and connection. It’s a fine moment, and a beautiful second part of the One World One Christmas project.
Download or stream One World One Christmas Vol. 2. Find De Brand on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, & his Website.
