New York’s Millington put their own unmistakable stamp on a holiday classic with “Santa Claus Is Coming (To Town),” reworking the Jackson 5 version through their signature lens of ska-punk, pop-punk, and what they proudly call brass emo. The result is festive, emotional, and way more energetic than your average seasonal cover.
Right from the start, the song bursts with bright horns, punchy guitars, and a rhythm section that keeps everything moving at full speed. Millington stay faithful to the joyful backbone of the Jackson 5 arrangement, but crank up the urgency, layering in big choruses and that emotional edge they’re known for. It feels playful and sincere at the same time, never drifting into novelty territory.
What makes this cover work is how naturally it fits the band’s identity. The horns aren’t just decoration, they drive the melody. The vocals balance warmth and intensity, turning a familiar holiday tune into something that feels personal and alive. It’s festive without being cheesy, fun without being disposable.
Millington continue to prove they can take any format and make it their own. “Santa Claus Is Coming (To Town)” is a holiday track you can actually keep in rotation, especially if your idea of Christmas music includes ska upstrokes, brass blasts, and a little bit of emotional punch.
