The Coral have unveiled their first-ever Christmas song, a haunting track titled 'She Died on Christmas Day', described as a 'cursed carol' to kick off December. The Merseyside band released the single on a limited edition 7-inch vinyl via Run On Records. It features eerie organ lines and chugging guitar chords evoking a menacing holiday spirit.
Release Details
The single 'She Died on Christmas Day' marks The Coral's entry into festive music with a dark twist, blending backward glances to Halloween and forward to Christmas. Accompanying it on the 7-inch is the spoken-word piece 'Christmas on Coral Island', narrated by the voice of frontman James Skelly's late grandfather, Ian, credited as The Great Muriarty. The release is available for purchase now through Run On Records.
Keyboardist Nick Power shared insights into the band's influences: “We love fifties and early sixties rock n’ roll, especially the British stuff. To us, it’s the sound of where we grew up: New Brighton and the fair, the lost piers, the thrill and danger of towns at the end of existence. If there’s an opening where we get to explore that side of us, we’re always up for it.”
Band Context
This is The Coral's first new music since their 11th studio album, 'Sea of Mirrors', dropped in 2023. That record boasted guest spots from actors Cillian Murphy and John Simm, plus contributions from ex-member Bill Ryder-Jones. Earlier this year, the band launched an 8-bit video game adaptation of their debut album, 'The Coral Caves of Illusion – Debut Album Celebration', and their documentary 'Dreaming of You' premiered at Sheffield Doc Fest in June, chronicling their early days.
Looking ahead, The Coral are slated to perform at Courteeners' outdoor concert in Manchester's Wythenshawe Park next August, joining The Vaccines, Getdown Services, and Girl In The Year Above.