Laptop attempt to cover Tom Waits’ “Christmas Card from a Hooker in Minneapolis”, and the result is weird, cold, funny, and beautiful, of course. If you’re expecting cozy, warm Christmas vibes, this is the wrong door! What we have here is a holiday song for late nights, empty streets and people who feel a little blue during December. The synths feel icy and distant, like breath in winter, and the beat barely moves, giving the song this slow, heavy feeling. The vocals are close and deadpan, almost like someone talking to himself on a walk through the city. It’s low-key, but it hits. What really works here is the balance between dark humor and real emotion. The story is still heartbreaking and messy, but Laptop doesn’t overplay it. There’s a sarcastic edge, and underneath it you can feel loneliness and regret. It’s sad, but not dramatic. The cover also feels super cinematic. You can picture Christmas lights, crowds rushing past, and someone completely disconnected from all of it. It’s cold, not empty. There’s something weirdly comforting about how honest it is, like admitting you’re not OK actually makes things a bit better. Laptop’s electro-pop style fits the song way better than expected. The father-son duo brings a modern, slightly punk attitude without disrespecting the original. They don’t try to outdo Tom Waits — they just make it their own. Bottom line – this cover is perfect for people who hate fake holiday cheer but still feel something when the lights come on.
♦ 8/10
Dimitris Zacharopoulos
