London based anti-folk singer-songwriter Emmy The Great and Ash frontman Tim Wheeler are taking on the festive might of Wizzard and Wham by releasing a Christmas album and a free download. Due for release on November 21, This Is Christmas contains nine self-penned songs plus a Phil Spector song, with one track, ‘Christmas Day (I wish I was Surfing)’, available to download through their Facebook page. Recorded under the working name ‘Sleigher’ the duo recorded This Is Christmas in a snow bound Sussex last December and in, a not so festive, New York in May and is a much needed departure from the typical seasonal schmaltz cluttering office parties and high street shops during the period. The songs feature seasonal odes to long lost loves you only see at the most wonderful time of the year and dedications to Mrs Christmas- “she must sit at home on Xmas Eve seething, ‘cos she’s on her own again” Emmy said. There are secret plans afoot for a one-off Christmas show, and fans are invited to upload their Christmas pictures for the chance to have them included in the iTunes booklet for the release, which also features Bloc Party’s Matt Tong.