Sofia Talvik - Wrapped in Paper (2025) Hi Res

Singer/Songwriter Sofia Talvik has had a tradition of releasing a newly written Christmas song every year since the early 2000s. It soon became a beloved tradition among fans, Christmas bloggers, and folk music radio programs in the U.S., where many of the singles charted in the top 10 year after year.

In 2017, this resulted in her first Christmas album When Winter Comes, and now comes her second Christmas album – Wrapped in Paper. Just like the first album, it primarily features all the Christmas singles Talvik has written in recent years, including three brand-new ones for this year, two original songs – “Let Peace be the Song”, this year’s single, and an experimental version of “Silent Night” recorded in open tuning – as well as a little farewell song, “Merry Christmas, Adios, So Long”, hinting that this is the end of an era.

“It started out as a fun experiment, grew into a cherished tradition, but now after almost 20 years I feel like I’m completely tapped out on Christmas songs,” says Sofia. “It feels good to be able to wrap it up with an album that ties together everything I’ve done over the past eight years.”

“Let Peace be the Song” follows the theme of her latest album Center of the Universe, with social realism and political critique. After many tours and countless performances in the U.S., it’s clear that this is a theme close to Talvik’s heart. The song is a protest tune in the style of the troubadours of the 1960s and 70s such as Bob Dylan and Joan Baez, but it also carries a plea for a warmer and more compassionate society – just as the title suggests.

Wrapped in Paper contains 12 songs, 10 of which are originals, along with a cover of “Silent Night” and a cover of “Jul, Jul, Strålande Jul” sung in both Swedish and German. Even though the songs were written over a long period, the album feels cohesive through Talvik’s unique voice, acoustic arrangements, and songwriting style. At its core, the album consists of thoughtful, quiet songs exploring an alternative side of Christmas – everything from loneliness to the turning of the seasons – but a few upbeat tracks like “Christmas Train” and last year’s single “A.T. Christmas” keep the momentum going.

Wrapped in Paper is a timeless Christmas album for those who are tired of hearing the same old songs every year.