Low

Kranky announces the reissue of Low Christmas, the beloved 1999 holiday EP from slowcore pioneers Low, available now on vinyl, CD, and digital formats. This timeless collection of subversive seasonal songs—originally released as a limited-edition cassette—captures the Duluth trio's signature minimalist beauty, blending haunting harmonies, sparse instrumentation, and wry takes on Christmas traditions.

Low—comprising Alan Sparhawk, Mimi Parker, and John Nichols—crafted Low Christmas as an antidote to saccharine holiday fare. Tracks like "Just Like Christmas" (a road-trip anthem disguised as a festive ditty) and "Lift" evoke snowy Midwest isolation with the band's trademark restraint: droning guitars, velvety vocals, and rhythms that unfold like falling flakes. The EP's raw intimacy, recorded in just a few days, remains a cult favorite, influencing generations of indie acts seeking emotional depth amid the tinsel.

"Low Christmas isn't about jingle bells—it's about the quiet ache and strange joy of the season," says Sparhawk. This reissue, remastered from the original tapes, restores the EP's lo-fi warmth while introducing it to new listeners craving something authentic in a world of streaming playlists.