Many years ago, the great singer-songwriter Tori Amos was all over alt-rock radio with a song that specifically called out a certain Christian deity by name: “God, sometimes you just don’t come through/ Do you need a woman to look after you?” So Amos might not be the first name to came to mind when you think of Christmas music. But Tori Amos is making Christmas music anyway.

Next week, Amos will release Christmastide, a new four-song EP dedicated to the season. She recorded it with two longtime collaborators, bassist Jon Evans and drummer Matt Chamberlain. (Chamberlain, it should be noted, also recently played on Bob Dylan’s Rough And Rowdy Ways and Perfume Genius’ Set My Heart On Fire Immediately. Busy guy!) This is Amos’ first new record since the 2017 album Native Invader, though she recently published the memoir Resistance: A Songwriter’s Story of Hope, Change, And Courage. (Also, we’ve been hearing a lot of cool Tori Amos covers lately.)

The new EP’s first single, the gorgeous and swirly, “Better Angels” isn’t specifically about Christmas, but it is about hope and togetherness. It’s got the classic Tori Amos intensity to it, and that’s not necessarily what you might expect when you think of a big star’s new Christmas record. Check it out below.

In a press release, Amos says:

With Christmastide it was important to be positive and to try and lift people’s spirits. It’s a time of year that should be joyful with family and friends but also can sadly be a very lonely place for some. Many families will be unable to be together this year because of the pandemic as well as many that are also dealing with the aftermath of a long and bitter US election. I hope these songs contained in this beautiful package can be a small treat to help along the way.

TRACKLIST:
01 “Christmastide”
02 “Circle Of Seasons”
03 “Holly”
04 “Better Angels”

The Christmastide EP is out 12/4 on Decca. Pre-order it here.