Holiday LP, Worst Christmas Ever!, out this Friday via Asthmatic Kitty
Watch video for ‘On This Christmas (It Only Gets Better)’ here
Watch Worst Christmas Ever! product video here
Acclaimed singer-songwriter Sufjan Stevens has unveiled his latest single, “On This Christmas (It Only Gets Better),” offering a poignant preview of his highly anticipated holiday album, Worst Christmas Ever!. Dropping this Friday, November 6, 2026, via Asthmatic Kitty Records, the record marks a notable return to festive music for the artist.
The new track anchors itself in themes of introspection, apology, and the search for absolution, serving as the first original Christmas piece Stevens has written, produced, and performed in nearly 15 years. “On this Christmas, I ask forgiveness for all the funny things I’ve said and done,” he reflects in the lyrics. Along with this brand-new composition, the upcoming album compiles 15 essential indie-holiday staples carefully curated from a vast catalog of over 100 festive recordings previously featured across his celebrated Songs for Christmas and Silver & Gold box sets.
Reflecting on the song, Sufjan says:
“I love the idea of a Christmas apology. A holiday characterized by giving and receiving gifts might be even better with giving and receiving forgiveness. “I’m sorry” is the ultimate ice-breaker in a moment of conflict, contention, and misunderstanding. Let’s try to be better this year: more loving, forgiving, welcoming, and reckoning. This song is a prayer—that we can all find a way to yield to the wisdom and understanding of forgiveness. I believe the world will find its way.”
The release of “On This Christmas (It Only Gets Better)” is accompanied by a striking music video conceived by Stevens alongside Michael O’Neal and Cubby Graham. Showcasing an extraordinary level of hand-crafted artistry, the visual piece features six thousand individual stills that were hand-painted by Stevens, O’Neal, Graham, and musician Hannah Cohen.
Stevens’ venture into holiday music began humbly in 2001. Originally intended as modest, homemade gifts for family and close friends, these early recordings snowballed over the years into a massive festive catalog spanning nearly five hours of music. The creative process followed a distinct tradition: during a single week each December, usually at his home, Stevens would gather whoever was available—including roommates, friends, and fellow musicians—to record. Asthmatic Kitty Records later anthologized these sessions, dropping Songs for Christmas, Vols. 1-5 in 2006, followed by Silver & Gold: Songs for Christmas, Vols. 6-10 in 2012, which compiled five EPs tracked between 2006 and 2010.
The tracklist for Worst Christmas Ever! draws heavily from both celebrated box sets. It features perennial, fan-favorite tracks such as “Sister Winter,” “Put The Lights On The Tree,” “Only At Christmas Time,” and the poignant title track “That Was The Worst Christmas Ever!” The compilation also highlights “Justice Delivers Its Gift,” Stevens’ ecclesiastical reimagining of the Burl Ives classic “Silver & Gold,” alongside “Christmas In The Room,” his rendition of “Silent Night,” and more.
The expansive body of work from which these songs are culled was brought to life by a rotating, star-studded cast of long-time collaborators. This lineup includes Aaron and Bryce Dessner of The National, Richard Reed Parry of Arcade Fire, Cat Martino, Gabriel Kahane, Casey Foubert, James McAlister, Rosie Thomas, Marla Hansen, Olivier Manchon, Sebastian Krueger, and members of Danielson (Daniel, Elin, Lilly, and Ida Smith).
Reflecting on his expansive holiday discography in a 2022 interview with Vulture, Stevens shared a simple truth: “There are no rules and regulations when it comes to Christmas culture.” This uninhibited passion for the seasonal genre, his artistic liberty in balancing deep reverence with playful rebellion, and his conviction that Christmas music naturally holds a rich duality of both the sacred and the secular are exactly what make his holiday repertoire a standout triumph.
Pre-order Worst Christmas Ever! here
Pre-order limited Dinked edition here
Pre-order Rough Trade exclusive here
Worst Christmas Ever! tracklist:
1. Silent Night
2. Put The Lights On The Tree
3. Holly Jolly Christmas
4. Christmas In The Room
5. It Came Upon A Midnight Clear (Christmas Infinity Voyage Version)
6. Sister Winter
7. Joy To The World
8. On This Christmas (It Only Gets Better)
9. Angels We Have Heard On High (Christmas Infinity Voyage Version)
10. Only At Christmas Time
11. It Came Upon A Midnight Clear (Christmas Unicorn Version)
12. That Was The Worst Christmas Ever!
13. Sleigh Ride
14. Justice Delivers Its Gift
15. Auld Lang Syne
16. Maoz Tzur (Rock of Ages)
' from his 16-track holiday compilation 'Worst Christmas Ever!' out via Asthmatic Kitty.){kind=link}