Ahead of the release of their compilation record EELS So Good: Essential EELS, Vol.2, American alt rock outfit EELS have released a new Christmas-themed track, 'Christmas, Why You Gotta Do Me Like This.'

An alternative yuletide ballad steeped in melancholic shades of the morose, the track sees EELS put their own characteristic spin on the festive season. It's a wistfully penned reflection on unrequited love, as frontman Mark Oliver Everett aka E scratchily croons over a plaintive wash of sleigh bells, welling strings and jazzy piano voicings. Ever-full of seasonal merriment Everett says of 'Christmas, Why You Gotta Do Me Like This' : “I mean, seriously. Haven’t I always been good to you, Christmas? Enough with the coal in my stocking. For fuck’s sake..."

E of EELS. Photo Credit: Rocky Schenck

The new cut follows the band’s previous festive offerings ‘Everything’s Gonna Be Cool This Christmas’ and ‘Christmas is Going to the Dogs.' "Everyone should have at least three Christmas songs in their catalogue," says E. “I’m sorry it took me so long"

Since forming in 1996, EELS have released some of the most critically lauded and culturally adored indie rock music of all time, with Everett releasing an impressive 14 albums classics since their classic 1996 debut Beautiful Freak, alongside a rotating cast of collaborators, including Jonathan Norton and Kelly Logsdon.

The new track is set to appear on EELS' upcoming compilation record EELS So Good: Essential EELS, Vol.2. Their second compilation album, preceding their first volume, Meet The EELS, which encompassed the group’s releases from 1996 to 2006, was released in 2008; the band are set to continue their unfinished journey with the follow-up, due for release December 15 via E Works. 

Spanning over 15 years and seven studio albums, and featuring some of the band's best loved cuts, the album retrospectively charts the EELS' rise to musical notoriety; with hits such as ‘Fresh Blood’ and ‘That Look You Gave That Guy’, new favourites from 2020’s ‘Earth To Dora’, as well as three previously unreleased tracks and five that are being pressed to vinyl for the very first time, including ‘Royal Pain’ from Shrek The Third, and ‘Man Up’ from the official soundtrack of Yes Man.

Pre-order EELS So Good: Essential EELS, Vol. 2, out December 15.

Listen to Christmas, Why You Gotta Do Me Like This below: