Premiere: Ryan Irby Delivers Holiday Magic On New Album, So It’s Come To This: A Christmas Offering
Somehow… it’s Christmas already…
With Thanksgiving landing later this year, November practically vanished after Turkey Day, leaving the big day feeling closer than ever. For the planners among us, this posed no issue. 52 weeks is still 52 weeks. Plenty of time to dream up gift ideas, map out plans, and savor the moments in between. But for everyone else… for those who wait to dive into holiday prep until the last leftover is safely stashed in the fridge… for most people, let’s be honest… this was a problem.
These days, it feels like many of us are living not just paycheck-to-paycheck but event-to-event, sprinting toward the next holiday or gathering, pausing just long enough to catch our breath before the next lap begins. It’s a cycle that turns the season into something transactional, exactly the opposite of what the holidays are supposed to be. And we know that! We celebrate the movies and songs that remind us of the magic we’re supposed to feel, even if we struggle to find it ourselves.
So, where’s the holiday spirit for those grappling with holiday whiplash and a condensed calendar this year? Don’t worry, dear readers. Richmond’s own Ryan Irby is here to deliver a warm, melodic embrace with his new holiday EP, So It’s Come To This: A Christmas Offering. Simultaneously touching and playful, it’s the perfect thing to turn your morose feeling of “Somehow… it’s Christmas already…” into a starry-eyed declaration of “Somehow, it’s Christmas already!” (And yes, keep that upbeat inflection. You’ll need it for one of the EP’s standout tracks).
Today, The Auricular is thrilled to premiere this heartfelt collection, complete with a stream below and a few extra words of praise. Hopefully, it’ll bring a spark of holiday cheer right when you need it most: a Monday afternoon, smack-dab in the middle of December!
Replete with songs both pensive and merry, whimsical and piercing, this five-track EP perfectly captures the essence of the holiday season. It offers the comforting traditions you expect, alongside fresh surprises, moments of deep reflection, and the exhilarating rush of inspiration–like nailing the perfect gift idea. It’s upbeat. It’s somber. It mirrors the whirlwind of emotions packed into the final days of the year, where the shortened daylight only intensifies the sense of urgency. Disorienting? Sure. But that shared mental strain is what makes holiday parties so wonderfully chaotic and cathartic.
And speaking of holiday parties, this record features its own star-studded gathering of talent. Ian Blackwood, Mara Smith, Ali Foley Shenk, Trey Hicks, Alonzo Jefferson, Taryn Spink, Daniel Stein, and Kai Stensgaard each lend their instrumental prowess to the mix. The festivities don’t stop there, though–enter the Yule B. Starry People’s Choir, an all-star lineup of vocalists including Keely Burn, Sophie Colette, Heather Grace Evans, Veronica Irby, Doc Thomas, and the returning Ian Blackwood, Ali Foley Shenk, and Mara Smith. Together, they create a choral sound so rich and celebratory, that it feels like stepping into the loving embrace of a holiday gathering, one that’s been expertly designed by a textural expert like Ryan Irby.
Kicking off the EP is “Snowglow,” a track Irby previously released at the tail end of 2023, which The Auricular was lucky enough to cover at the time. A rich song with lush, baroque textures and a radiant sense of melody, it immediately sets the tone for the collection. The track’s vibrant harmonies and intricate arrangements bring to life the quiet magic of snowfall, while its heartfelt lyrics evoke the warmth of community and the beauty of finding peace in togetherness. “Snowglow” is both an ode to the wonder of the season and a reflection on the deeper themes of connection and renewal, making it the perfect opener for a winter-themed EP.
On the opposite end of the spectrum from the earnest “Snowglow” is the playful medley “Santa’s On His Way/Prancer’s Lament.” The first half is a reinterpretation of Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys’ 1949 classic, while the second half is an Irby original. It’s not the only nod to familiar holiday tunes on the EP–Paul McCartney’s iconic “Wonderful Christmastime” also makes an appearance. For fans of the original, this version offers plenty of earnest melodic charm to enjoy. And for those weary of its ubiquitous synth tones blaring from every store, fear not. Irby reimagines it as a tender overture, even opening with a Beatles-esque flourish that would have George Harrison spinning in his grave with delight.
Following that reimagining is “Gingerbread Porter,” another Irby original that feels perfectly suited for winter brewery hops in Scott’s Addition. A rich ensemble of instruments blends together like a well-crafted brew, with each addition enhancing the mix. The absence of vocals isn’t curious–it’s essential–allowing the track to feel like the perfect instrumental outro, not just for a late-night reprieve but for the year itself.
While “Gingerbread Porter” closes the EP, the undeniable highlight–the star on the Christmas tree, if you will–is “Christmas Already.” This key track beautifully captures the frantic mania of the season while celebrating the unique joy it ultimately brings. Performed with a subtle bossa nova swing, it’s unlike any Christmas song you’ve heard before, effortlessly relaxed in its groove, harmony, and spirit. Other songs on the record may earn their spot in your regular rotation, but you’ll likely find yourself returning to this one most, enveloped in its easy charm and innate grace.
And let’s be real, some listeners might make it through the whole EP and still groan, “Somehow… it’s Christmas already.” It’s not the job of this article or this record to change that sentiment, but one thing is clear: if you look at all of the beaming faces on the cover or hear all of the bright voices and radiant tones filling the air, and you still find yourself in a sour mood instead of a sweet one… maybe, just maybe, it’s time to search a little harder for joy in the coming year. After all, when something ingeniously uplifting comes your way, you shouldn’t have to hide your smile while listening.
So It’s Come To This: A Christmas Offering is out now on Bandcamp (link), with other streaming platforms to follow soon. To keep up-to-date on future performances and releases by Ryan Irby, make sure to follow him on social media by clicking here.
