Dream Phone – Shite Xmas (Divine Schism)
Oxford glitch-pop duo Dream Phone are kicking off the Christmas season with the release of synth punk banger Shite Xmas via Divine Schism.
Artist: Dream Phone
Track: Shite Xmas
Label: Divine Schism
Released: 1 December 2025
Find it: Bandcamp
With pitch-shifted vocals, hissing electronic beats, and a big-rounded guitar riff joining the party every now and then Shite Xmas from Oxford duo Dream Phone is the anti-festive banger you need to kick the season off.
The band says the song comes from a position of privilege: “Christmas is obviously a lovely time of year for many of us, but it feels difficult to celebrate while the world is on fire. And there’s a lot of pressure to enjoy it at all costs which can be quite anxiety-inducing!
“The song draws on that sense of guilt and heartache, and those funny family conversations – where relatives ask how the music’s going, and you explain you don’t make any money from it but enjoy doing it anyway, or how and why you’re vegetarian! Basically it’s about being a bit of a miserable git at this time of year. It’s also our attempt to create one of those cash cow Christmas songs and break into the charts – we want to be the new Mariah!”
The upbeat if slightly scrappy glitch-pop sound contrasts with the lyrics: trying and failing to get in the festive spirit, being asked how the music is going by a relative you barely know, and sharing a monologue about your cats as a response to hearing in-depth about someone else’s kids. It’s the realisation you’d rather spend Christmas day at home alone, than force the festivities – and it’s set to incredibly catchy and twinkling melody.
Whether December has given you the green-light to breakfast on mince pies while adorning your work outfits with tinsel, or you are a bit more bah humbug about the season, Shite Xmas is going to have you singing and possibly even dancing along. Whether you like Christmas or not, if you like Martha or Panic Pocket you’re going to love this: a festive-themed glitch-pop bop that will endure long after the big day.
Shite Xmas by Dream Phone is out digitally now via Divine Schism. All proceeds will be donated to the UN Crisis Relief for Sudan.
Find Dream Phone: Bandcamp | Instagram | Facebook
Image: Agnes Diaconu
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Sarah Lay
A long-standing music journalist she's also co-founder of independent record label Reckless Yes, an author of novels, and when not messing around with words and music, a digital strategist.
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