Single reviewsThe Other Side Reviews

Ninni – White Christmas (2023)

The Christmas season is well and truly upon us. With snowmen and Christmas lights, bright baubles and people singing Christmas carols (not to mention the ever-growing Christmas playlists), ‘tis the season to be jolly. Joining the crowd is singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Ninni with his intriguing take on Irving Berlin’s ‘White Christmas’.

When we last heard from Ninni it was with his single ‘Have Fun’, a tune that encapsulates his desire to make good music, share his passion with listeners, and just find the happiness melodies bring us. Following ‘Have Fun’, the Italian musician serenades us with well-received tracks ‘A Primma Pizzeria’, ‘Tutt’’o bene ca ce sta…’ ‘Si tu’, ‘L’amore vince sempre’ and ‘Napule Napule Napule’; songs I love but don’t understand at all. Today, following these Italian delights, we turn to Ninni’s interpretation of ‘White Christmas’.

A well-known song about old-fashioned Christmas celebrations, ‘White Christmas’ has a particular charm to it. From the original Irving Berlin to Bing Crosby, Michael Bublé to Meghan Trainer and The Drifters, ‘White Christmas’ is one of the most covered Christmas songs, so tackling it with a different slant might be difficult. In fact, in my opinion, tackling the masterpiece might be madness because everyone has their favourite and most beloved version of ‘White Christmas’. Ninni, however, stands up with his twist in a bold slice of indie-pop.

While Michael Bublé brings a toe-tapping crooning, and Meghan Trainer adds a pop-infused bounciness, Ninni takes things down with a soothing softness. Hushed vocals carry atop a gentle layer of synths and percussion oozing calm from its core. Sweet, warm and charming, the flowing melody is a big smile at the end of the day with relaxing ease and tender comfort. For me, it is a breath of relief after a long day of Christmas celebrations. A removal from the hustle and bustle of unwrapping gifts, entertaining family and friends, the big dinner, the massive grins, and ultimately the flood of exhaustion.

The original ‘White Christmas’ received a facelift with bright lights and an upbeat tune. Ninni takes things down, gives us a cuddle and brings the old-school charm of a merry Christmas curled up before a fire as snow lightly dusts the windows. I love this carol, particularly the Bing Crosby version, but Ninni is quickly taking that spot with his unique twist on an original masterpiece.


For more from Ninni, check out his Spotify.

This artist was discovered via Musosoup #sustainablecurator


Discover more indie pop songs on The Other Side Reviews Indie Pop playlist: