It may only be November but we here at BOON are ready for Christmas and we aren’t even sorry! To get into that spirit of course we have to play some Christmas tunes loudly around the house. As traditionalists, we always put the classics on every year but we always have room for new Christmas music and epic covers.

One of the most loved classics is of course Chris Rea’s Driving Home For Christmas. I can’t remember a year when I haven’t listened to this song but now I will be checking my playlist and playing this song twice. One being Chris Rea’s version of course but now we will be adding the stunning cover by Newton Faulkner which features Rea’s Niece Cat Rea.

Newton and Cat do a fabulous job on this track and make it their own. It’s wonderfully different as a duet and still gives us that warm, festive feel that just makes you want to put your Christmas jumper on, drink mulled wine, put up the tree (we already have haha) and have the family around.

The pairs vocals blend beautifully together and they deliver a softer feel to this re-imagined classic. It’s stunning and wintery with a modern twist. This version will likely be on our playlist at Christmas every year.

Speaking behind the creation of ‘Driving Home For Christmas’, Newton explained:

“I got together with Cat, Niece of Chris Rea to make a new version of ‘Driving Home For Christmas’ that is true to the song but also brings it up to update production-wise. One of the biggest challenges was the, often cut, instrumental section which turned out to be my favourite bit in the end. The finished thing is exactly what I wanted it to be, a Christmas song that I have always loved with a tonne of fresh, modern production twists and stunning vocals from Cat Rea.”

Cat Rea says; “When I was approached by Newton to record a new version of Driving Home For Christmas, I was really excited to see how it could be different because I have heard it covered so many times and none of the versions have nailed the middle part of the song. After arranging the song I am so happy with what we produced.

Driving Home for Christmas is the first song Newton has released from his Christmas EP titled Christmas Light.

The four tracked EP includes

Driving Home For Christmas feat Cat Rea

Winter Wonderland feat Nati Dreddd

River

All I Want For Christmas

The EP is available today here