Fightmilk featuring Sox – We Only Kiss At Christmas (self released)
Fightmilk’s Lily teamed up with Tugboat Captain’s Sox to ‘write and record the saddest Christmas banger of all time’ and with We Only Kiss At Christmas we think they have succeeded
Artist: Fightmilk featuring Sox
Track: We Only Kiss At Christmas
Label: self released
Release date: 24 November 2025
Find it: Bandcamp
Bing Crosby and David Bowie, Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers, Mariah Carey and Justin Beiber, and of course Shane MacGowen and Kirsty MacColl: there’s plenty of duets making up the seasonal delights of a festive track and Fightmilk‘s Lily and Tugboat Captain‘s Sox have added themselves to the list with single We Only Kiss At Christmas.
More sad-tidings than glad the track brings an emo tinge to what is touted to be the most wonderful time of the year. Pairing yearning with sleighbells, across the alternating verses there is a search for any remaining warmth in relationship as bleak as the cold midwinter. With synth flourishes that hold your heart as if its as fragile as a glass bauble, there’s some little melodic references to classic Christmas tracks sparkling in the melodic detail.
‘Well I’m no little drummer boy / My ho-ho-ho’s bereft of joy / There’s only so much jolly I can stand / I’ve never kept a resolution / There seems to be no good solution / But through the Christmas special we’ll hold hands’
Fightmilk of course are no strangers to festive releases: way back in 2016 they gave us The Fight Before Christmas, followed in 2020 by Fightmilk and Cookies, and they also joined Brutalligators on A Very Brutal Christmas. The performative joy while cradling your sadness like a babe in a manger vibes of the season are a rich seam for the band, and it’s a gift that keeps on giving for us all.
Get We Only Kiss At Christmas on your alt-festivity playlists and spin on repeat while weeping into your eggnog.
We Only Kiss At Christmas by Fightmilk featuring Sox is out digitally now. Fightmilk released their third album No Souvenirs via INH Records in November 2024, following their debut Not With That Attitude and second album Contender both on Reckless Yes.
Find Fightmilk: Facebook | Instagram | Bandcamp
Find Tugboat Captain: Instagram | Facebook | Bandcamp
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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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