Every holiday season, a new batch of songs tries to join the ranks of modern Christmas pop royalty. From Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You” to Ariana Grande’s “Santa Tell Me,” the playlist for holiday pop essentials has expanded over the years, creating a high bar for newcomers. Ava Della Pietra’s latest single, “Reindeer Rebellion,” is the new contender for 2024, and it brings a distinctly edgy, Gen Z spin on festive cheer. With an anthemic beat, witty lyrics, and a punchy chorus that feels crafted for TikTok or whatever the kids use these days, “Reindeer Rebellion” hits all the right notes to become a go-to holiday track that could shake up the seasonal music scene.
“Reindeer Rebellion” opens with a melodic intro, evoking the same warm holiday glow you’d expect from a classic Christmas song. But as the song progresses, it quickly morphs into a high-energy pop track, anchored by a bass-heavy beat and lyrics that turn traditional holiday themes on their head. Like Kelly Clarkson’s “Underneath the Tree” or Justin Bieber’s “Mistletoe,” Ava’s song blends pop polish with holiday warmth. But where Clarkson and Bieber aim for romance or celebration, Ava’s track brings a dash of mischief and a fresh take on what it means to have Christmas spirit in the modern world. In that sense, “Reindeer Rebellion” lands somewhere between the cheekiness of Grande’s “Santa Tell Me” and the anthem-like energy of Lizzo’s “About Damn Time.”
Lyrically, “Reindeer Rebellion” paints a picture of Rudolph and his reindeer friends staging a fun, high-spirited revolt, breaking out of the expected “good reindeer” mold to fight for holiday magic. Lines like “where the good boys at, I’m sick of these hellions” feel like they’re designed to be shouted along with, and it’s clear that Ava knows how to craft lyrics that hit just the right balance between playful and punchy. She creates a cast of characters that feel relatable, injecting humor and personality into her lyrics in a way that makes the song feel like a story. The reindeers’ rebellious attitude adds a bit of an edge, setting it apart from the dreamy nostalgia of older classics and giving it a bite that feels refreshingly modern.
Production-wise, “Reindeer Rebellion” has a polished, radio-ready sound that keeps pace with today’s pop standards while capturing the holiday spirit. There’s a blend of festive and modern elements here, like a jingle-laden beat married to a thumping bassline, that gives the song a timeless-meets-contemporary vibe. It’s this balance that could help “Reindeer Rebellion” earn a spot among the newer Christmas classics. Where most holiday songs keep it cozy, Ava’s track delivers a kinetic energy that feels more like a celebration—a welcome addition for listeners who crave something fresh.
Ava’s vocal performance on “Reindeer Rebellion” also deserves praise. She brings a mix of sweetness and sass to her delivery, infusing every line with charisma that makes the track come alive. Her voice carries a grounded warmth that recalls the likes of Clarkson, but with a hint of rebellious edge that feels unique to her style. In a song like this, where character and energy matter just as much as melody, Ava hits the mark, balancing the light-hearted holiday vibes with a touch of attitude that will appeal to a younger audience.
The chorus packs an unforgettable hook, and the chant-driven breakdown is primed for TikTok fame, with a chant spelling out “Santa” that’s impossible to resist. Much like how Mariah Carey’s vocal runs became a hallmark of her holiday track, or how Grande’s playful take on “mistletoe” moments is endlessly relatable, Ava’s chant is bound to be the part of “Reindeer Rebellion” that sticks. The breakdown and accompanying dance choreography featured in the music video feel tailor-made for social media challenges, and it’s easy to picture this song’s catchy “S-A-N-T-A” chant going viral on TikTok as fans take on the reindeer rebellion dance.
“Reindeer Rebellion” is a challenge to the old Christmas canon, an invitation for a new kind of holiday spirit. By channeling the cheeky energy of modern pop hits while adding her own unique twist on holiday storytelling, Pietra may just have crafted the next big seasonal anthem. With the right push on social media and Ava’s infectious charisma, “Reindeer Rebellion” has all the makings of a breakout Christmas hit that could hold its own among the heavyweights.
Mindy McCall
