The Lemon Twigs have released a new festive single titled ‘Tchotchkes’, offering a gently comic take on the pressure and expectation that comes with present shopping.
The New York duo, brothers Brian and Michael D’Addario, lean into their long-standing love of classic pop songwriting here, wrapping the song in rich harmonies and a distinctly old-world sense of melody. Rather than aiming for bombast, ‘Tchotchkes’ keeps things intimate and playful, rooted in character and detail.
Lyrically, the track centres on the familiar dilemma of trying to buy the perfect gift for someone you love while keeping one eye firmly on your dwindling bank balance. It opens with a spoken-word introduction that sets the tone, before drifting into a harmony-heavy section that nods openly to the grand emotional sweep of mid-60s pop.
The song’s charm lies in its sincerity. There is humour in the predicament, but also a genuine tenderness in how the band approach it, turning everyday stress into something warm and quietly affecting.
‘Tchotchkes’ continues The Lemon Twigs’ habit of sidestepping modern trends in favour of timeless songwriting, proving once again that nostalgia, when handled with care, can still feel alive.
