Emerging from Austin, TX’s exciting indie folk scene, Ella Reid has taken the past years to build up a voice that is confessional in its songwriting and idyllic in its delivery, earning her a very committed following throughout her performances across the country. Following 3 critically acclaimed albums on various themes talking about her as a person, and having over 3k monthly streams on Spotify, Reid here tackles the issues of holiday memory with her newest single, “That’s a Holiday.” “That’s a Holiday” is the latest single from the artist, which we expect more from soon, showing off a groundbreaking development in her capability to turn her experiences into reverberating music. This introspective ballad goes further than the typical festive soundtrack, twisting a rich narrative that explores the emotional terrain of seasonal memory and loss.
The track opens with a soft guitar progression that sets up the mood, its minor chord fluctuations warning of levels of complexity to come. Ella Reid’s voice sits beautifully as her timbre is rich with a slight smoky quality, plus an adequate amount of naivety, making this narrative all too real. The production has a pearly clarity that ensures room for each musical element to breathe. Strings are subtly arranged to complement the piano, thus texturing the track while keeping the introspective core.
“That’s a Holiday” is a rich appreciation of seasonal emotional layers. Reid navigates that balance between joy and melancholy with precision. The songwriting here sounds mature in its dealing with grief and celebration, understanding that experiences during the holidays can’t just be purely joyful or purely sad; rather, it is a mix of both. The rhythmic foundation remains understated, with gentle percussion that offers the movement of the song’s contemplative atmosphere. Digital processing is minimal, preserving the organic quality of the instrumentation and vocals.
“That’s a Holiday” is one of Ella Reid’s most important artistic statements. Her single is outstanding for its genuineness and deep exploration of seasonal emotions. It is a track that lets the moment’s soundtrack then create an emotional space for listeners to reflect, remember, and connect.
For those looking for a Christmas music experience above commercial sappiness, Ella Reid provides a serious alternative. “That’s a Holiday” is the journey of emotion, an appeal to adopt every shade of human sentiment at a time most people celebrate with a reduction to simplicity.
Stream “That’s a Holiday” now and discover an artist who understands true connection in music occurs through perfection and direct and delicate storytelling.