Most holiday music is, honestly, a little bit exhausting. You’ve got the same three bells ringing in every track and lyrics about snowmen that feel like they were written by a greeting card company in 1952. But then there’s the Christmas and Chill EP. When Ariana Grande dropped this in late 2015, specifically on December 18, it felt less like a corporate holiday cash-in and more like a late-night text you probably shouldn't have sent. It’s short. It’s barely 13 minutes long. Yet, somehow, it has managed to outlive almost every other contemporary Christmas release because it refuses to be "jolly" in the traditional sense.
The project was recorded in less than a week. It happened at Ariana’s home studio in Los Angeles. She worked with her long-time collaborators like Tommy Brown, Victoria Monét, and the songwriting team she trusts most. You can hear that speed in the tracks. It’s raw. It’s dirty-sounding in the best way possible. While her previous holiday attempt, Christmas Kisses, was more of a "look at my vocals" Broadway-adjacent pop project, this EP leaned into the trap-soul aesthetic that would eventually define her Sweetener and Thank U, Next eras.
Why the Christmas and Chill EP matters almost a decade later
People still talk about this EP every December. Why? Because it’s relatable. Not everyone wants to sit around a fireplace drinking cocoa. Some people are just trying to find an excuse to stay inside with someone they like. The title itself—Christmas and Chill EP—is a play on the "Netflix and chill" meme that was peaking in 2015. It was a smart move. It positioned the record as the "cool" holiday alternative.
Musically, it’s basically an R&B masterclass. Look at a track like "Wit It This Christmas." It’s got these heavy, snapping drums that feel more at home on a summer mixtape than a winter playlist. But then she layers in those signature harmonies. The vocal stacks are thick. She’s doing things with her whistle register that feel effortless rather than performative.
It’s about the vibe.
Most Christmas albums try to be everything to everyone. They want to be played in a Starbucks and at your grandma’s house. This EP doesn't care about your grandma. It’s specifically for the bedroom. Tracks like "December" and "True Love" are deeply romantic, bordering on seductive. It’s a very specific niche: holiday music for people who usually hate holiday music.
The technical brilliance of the production
Tommy Brown, also known as TBHits, is largely responsible for the sonic identity here. If you listen closely to "Not Just on Christmas," the instrumentation is actually quite complex despite the "chill" label. There are lush string arrangements that ground the R&B beat, giving it a cinematic quality. It’s that contrast between high-end production and "recorded-on-a-whim" energy that makes it work.
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They didn't overthink it.
The lyrics are playful. In "Winter Things," Ariana goes full acoustic. It’s basically a ukulele track. She sings about being in Los Angeles where it’s actually 80 degrees, but she’s pretending it’s freezing just so she can get closer to her partner. It’s a nod to her real life. It feels authentic because it acknowledges the reality of a California Christmas. No fake snow. No forced metaphors about reindeer. Just a girl who’s hot in a sweater.
Breaking down the tracklist of Christmas and Chill EP
The flow of this project is interesting. It starts with an intro that sets a smoky, dim-lit mood. Then it moves into the higher-energy trap beats before settling into the softer, more vulnerable stuff at the end.
"Intro" is just a minute long. It’s a teaser. It tells you exactly what you’re getting into: "I’m welcome you to the Christmas and Chill."
Then you hit "Wit It This Christmas." This is the standout for most fans. It’s cheeky. "Are you down for some of these milk and cookies?" is such a classic Ariana line. It’s double-entendre heavy. It’s fun. It doesn't take itself seriously, which is a breath of fresh air compared to the self-importance of most "prestige" Christmas albums.
"December" is probably the most "pop" moment on the record. It has a driving rhythm that makes it one of the few tracks on the EP you could actually play at a party. It’s about the cyclical nature of a holiday romance. It’s catchy as hell.
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The deeper cuts: True Love and Winter Things
"True Love" is a fan favorite for a reason. It uses the "12 Days of Christmas" motif but flips it. Instead of partridges and pear trees, she’s talking about the reality of a relationship. It’s actually quite sweet. It’s one of the few moments where the "chill" facade drops a bit and you get some genuine sentimentality.
Then there’s "Winter Things." It’s the closer. It’s the shortest song on the EP, and yet it’s the one that sticks with you. The ukulele gives it a "summer in December" feel. It’s a perfect ending because it brings the listener back down to earth.
- Intro - The mood setter.
- Wit It This Christmas - The trap-soul anthem.
- December - The rhythmic pop track.
- Not Just on Christmas - The soulful ballad.
- True Love - The lyrical flip on tradition.
- Winter Things - The acoustic closer.
Why the industry was surprised by its success
When the Christmas and Chill EP came out, the industry didn't really know what to do with it. It wasn't a "radio" project. It didn't have a massive lead single like "Santa Tell Me" (which was released the year before). In fact, it debuted at number 34 on the Billboard 200, which might seem low for a star of her caliber.
But here’s the thing: it has legs.
Every year, the streaming numbers for this EP spike. It has become a cult classic. Music critics like those at Pitchfork and Rolling Stone have, over time, pointed to this EP as a turning point in Ariana’s career. It was the first time she really leaned into her R&B influences without trying to polish them for Top 40 radio. It paved the way for the sound of her later albums. It proved that she didn't need a massive marketing campaign to create something that resonated.
It was a surprise release. There was no "long-lead" strategy. She just tweeted about it, and it was there. That kind of spontaneity is rare in the pop world, especially for holiday music which is usually planned eighteen months in advance by middle-aged men in suits.
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The "Christmas and Chill" aesthetic
The cover art is simple. It’s just the title in a basic font over a dark background. It matches the music. Dark, simple, effective. It doesn't need a photo of her in a Santa hat to tell you what it is.
The "chill" part of the title is important. In the mid-2010s, we saw a massive shift in how people consumed music. We moved away from the "event" album and toward "vibe" playlists. This EP was perfectly timed for that shift. It’s the ultimate background music for a holiday gathering that isn't focused on being traditional.
How to actually enjoy the Christmas and Chill EP today
If you’re tired of the same 20 songs playing on the radio from November 1st, this is your escape. It’s best listened to in full. Since it’s only 13 minutes, you can loop it three times and still not be sick of it.
Put it on when you’re decorating. Or better yet, when you’re just hanging out at night. It’s a "nighttime" record. It doesn't work at 10:00 AM while you’re drinking coffee; it works at 11:00 PM when the lights are low.
Actionable steps for the holiday season
If you want to move beyond the surface level of holiday music, here is how to integrate this vibe into your season:
- Curate a "Modern Holiday" Playlist: Mix the Christmas and Chill EP tracks with other R&B-leaning holiday songs. Think Sabrina Carpenter’s fruitcake EP or Justin Bieber’s Under the Mistletoe. It creates a cohesive sound that isn't jarring.
- Focus on the Production: If you’re a music nerd, listen to the EP with high-quality headphones. Pay attention to the vocal layering on "Not Just on Christmas." The way she blends her chest voice with her head voice is a textbook example of modern vocal production.
- Use it as a Gateway: If you have friends who "hate Christmas music," play them "Wit It This Christmas." Don't tell them it's a holiday song. Wait for them to notice the lyrics. It’s a great way to bridge the gap between pop fans and holiday traditionalists.
- Support the Vinyl: If you can find the physical vinyl release, grab it. It was released as an "Emerald Green" or "Darkened" vinyl in some markets and has become a bit of a collector's item. The warmth of vinyl really suits the lo-fi, R&B production of these tracks.
The reality is that Ariana Grande didn't have to make this. She was already a global superstar. She could have just re-released "Santa Tell Me" and called it a day. But by making the Christmas and Chill EP, she gave fans a glimpse into her actual musical taste. It’s a project that feels human. It feels like it was made for the love of the craft, not just for the chart position. That’s why we’re still talking about it. That’s why it still feels fresh. It’s a rare holiday project that actually has a soul.