Navigating the Heartbreak of a Holiday Loss
The reality of losing a loved one changes the holiday season forever. An empty chair at the dining table, a missing voice, or a longing for a hug can make the absence of someone dear feel overwhelmingly heavy during Christmas—a time deeply rooted in family and togetherness. Yet, even when a loved one is no longer present, the memories and love shared remain permanent. This universal but deeply personal grief inspired international recording artist Alexa Lace to write her new holiday single, “The First Christmas Without You.”
Following the passing of her grandmother earlier this year, Alexa faced the painful realization that the upcoming holidays would be her first without her. This emotional turning point resulted in a song that serves as a tribute to anyone navigating the bittersweet experience of missing someone during the most emotional time of the year.
The single marks a major milestone in Alexa’s artistic evolution, as it is the first time in her career that she has taken sole responsibility for composing both the lyrics and the music. The song took shape during a family conversation over the summer when someone noted that Christmas was just three months away. Still grieving, that simple reminder made the approaching holidays feel real in a new way, prompting her to channel her longing into a universal story about how life alters when a constant presence is suddenly gone.
A New Chapter as a Songwriter
Hailing from Barcelona, Spain, Alexa Lace has spent nearly a decade based in Stockholm, Sweden. As a Hollywood Music Award winner who has previously broken into the U.S. Top 40 charts, she stands as one of Spain’s most internationally active female artists. Her time spent collaborating with top-tier global songwriters, producers, and musicians in Sweden and the United States has been fundamental to her growth.
While she has co-written projects in the past, writing “The First Christmas Without You” completely on her own represents a significant leap forward in her creative independence.
Reuniting for a Powerhouse Production
The single features production by acclaimed Swedish producer Johan Bejerholm, who previously helmed Alexa’s album, “This Is Me.” Bejerholm brings an impressive international pedigree to the track, with his portfolio accumulating over 10 billion streams on Spotify alongside multiple Swedish Grammy Awards.
From Barcelona to the Global Stage
Alexa’s musical journey began in Barcelona, where she found widespread success as a teenager with her massive summer hit, “Ven conmigo a la fiesta.” Her career shifted toward the global stage in 2017 after signing with a Swedish-American management team, directing her focus toward the United States and Latin American markets.
Her previous album, “This Is Me,” was cut in Nashville, Tennessee, and featured elite studio players. Among them was legendary session guitarist Michael Thompson —whose iconic guitar work has backed legends like Michael Jackson, Madonna, and Céline Dion—as well as the powerhouse drummer from alternative rock band The Smashing Pumpkins. With her latest single, Alexa strips back the grand studio collaborations to deliver her most vulnerable, self-penned work to date.
